A Brief History This article provides links to online versions of the various novels and films used in our class on American History after the Civil War.  Please click on the book or film’s title to read that book or watch that film online. Digging Deeper Module #1: Reconstruction and the Expansion of American Civilization, 1865-1890 Movie: Shane (1953) Module #2: America’s Appearance on the World Stage, 1890-1918 Book: Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893) Book: Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks (1868) Book: The Jungle (1906) Module #3: The Interwar Years, 1918-1941 Movie: The Grapes of Wrath (1940)…

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A Brief History On October 27, 2017, the new major motion picture, Goodbye Christopher Robin, will make its premier at theaters across the United States, bringing humanity and realism to the beloved characters associated with Winnie-the-Pooh, the characters created by author A.A. Milne based on his real life son and his son’s beloved plush animals, characters and children’s books that have become the most cherished of all children’s stories.  We had the privilege of previewing this excellent movie before release, and will try to avoid spoilers as we describe the film. Digging Deeper As the title of the British produced…

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A Brief History On October 26, 1943, what could have been a fantastic advantage in the German air war against Allied bombers in World War II first took to the air, with the first flight of the Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow).   A two engine heavy fighter, the Pfeil was powered by propeller driving engines in the front and the back of the fuselage, a push-pull arrangement unlike any other World War II fighter plane.  Alas, for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe)  delays in obtaining sufficient engine production and clumsy German bureaucracy meant only 37 of the sleek and fast…

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A Brief History On October 25, 1944, SS Chief Heinrich Himmler of the German Third Reich ordered a crackdown against the youth culture anti-Nazi government resistance group known as “Edelweisspiraten,” or “Edelweiss Pirates.”  This group of teenagers had dodged mandatory induction into the Hitler Youth organization and worked to help others hide from government authorities, whether those avoiding service in the Hitler Youth, draft dodgers, or army deserters.  A German produced film, Edelweiss Pirates, detailed the exploits of these resisters in 2004. Digging Deeper Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was an early associate of Adolf Hitler and was with Hitler for the…

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A Brief History On April 23, 1953, Shane premiered in New York City at Radio City Music Hall.  This American Technicolor Western film from Paramount Pictures is noted for its landscape cinematography, editing, performances, and contributions to the genre. The picture was produced and directed by George Stevens from a screenplay by A. B. Guthrie Jr., based on the 1949 novel of the same name by Jack Schaefer. Its Oscar-winning cinematography was by Loyal Griggs. Shane stars Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur in the last feature (and only color) film of her career. The film also stars Van Heflin and features Brandon deWilde, Jack Palance, Emile Meyer, Elisha Cook Jr., and Ben Johnson. Digging Deeper You can rent or buy this film on YouTube below: If you liked this article and would like to…

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