1. The Last Lincoln Conspirator, Flight of John Surratt-***, Jampoler, Surprising that John was far more culpable than Mary and he lived. Interesting story but the author could have done more with it.
2. The Plantagenets *****, Jones, covers the kings/queens of England from 1120-1400. Always an interesting study in genetics and just how far the fruit fell from the tree. Great read.
3. A Government of Our Own, the Making of the Confederacy **** Wm. Davis, one of my favorite historians but gets dinged one star. The South chose to send conservatives and moderates to Montgomery...who knew. Kind of makes for a dull group. Still an important book for Southern historians.
4. The Jeffersons at Shadwell***** Kern. A study of TJ's life at his home based on archeological digs in the 1990's. Very well researched.
5. The Most Famous Man in America, bio of Henry Ward Beecher. ****, Applegate, Beecher was the TV evangelist of his time and had the mistresses to prove it. A well done social history. The author gives you a real sense of the antebellum times, what was going on in the Protestant churches, the abolition movement and northern society in general.
6. In the Loop, a Political and Economic History of San Antonio. *****, Johnson, Great study of SA, goes up to 2000. Really explains in detail how the city developed, or sometimes failed to develop.
