A return to the U.S. History trail for this post ....

Signing Their Lives Away: the Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence, by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese. Short biographies on each of the men who signed, early life, what they did, what happened to them afterwards, why they signed and when .... one died in a duel, one was poisoned ... remember, at the time, taking this step was huge! Some wanted to wait until the colonies at least had an army, etc. some didn't want to be ruled by England, but didn't want a new government taking over, either (wanted to be on their own). Very interesting.

It's worth a cup of tea or two to page through Making WAVES: Navy Women of World War II, by Evan Bachner, who gathered together a wonderful collection of photographs from the National Archives. It follows women in training, off duty, and, the ones I found most compelling, at work ... in coderooms, building planes, or taking a reading on an anemometer (basically a box on top of tall pole), and using aerial cameras. All the photos are in black and white and attention was paid to light and shadows, composition, all those elements that make for an artistic result.

Watching The Roosevelts on PBS, made me think of a long ago recommendation from Terry: Mornings on Horseback: the Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life, and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt, by David McCullough. Covering just 17 years in the life of TR, starting at age 10 when he was small, frail and asthmatic to his mornings on horseback (his father was a fan of exercise, the outdoors, and so on), to his cowboy years out west and his return as a young man strong and healthy. (Sort of, but that's for another book).

There's a new (well, fairly new) trend at museums, places such as Williamsburg, etc. called HOHR ... a Hands On History Room. Tourists and students don't just wander through static displays, or watch someone doing something 'the old fashioned way', they actually interact and participate. Depending on the season, it is possible to pick some cotton, and then use a cotton gin to remove the seeds. At Williamsburg, tourists are encouraged to ask staff in costume questions (it has to be about the time period) and they will answer in character. Understandably, this takes a lot of work. Tim Grove explains it in A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History. A delightful 'insider's look' at what goes on behind the scenes to create a wonderful way to learn about history.

And, since it is now December, I thought I'd include a few mystery titles for the next few posts. These are all from authors with a mystery series or two that include at least one of a seasonal nature. I've read them all at some point, they are cozy mysteries. From Ann Ripley, The Christmas Garden Affair. From Joanne Fluke, The Gingerbread Cookie Mystery.

Reading Hermit With Dog