Book review on Goodreads: The Iron Way by William G. Thomas
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20055306-the-iron-way" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Iron Way: Railroads, the Civil War, and the Making of Modern America" src="https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/111x148-bcc042a9c91a29c1d680899eff700a03.png" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20055306-the-iron-way">The Iron Way: Railroads, the Civil War, and the Making of Modern America</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/477622.William_G_Thomas">William G. Thomas</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2184579070">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Railroads in the 19th century had a profound effect on history. I was intrigued by the book initially because it focused well on the Civil War, but Thomas does an outstanding job of bringing antebellum America into focus to set the stage. His thesis that the South was already a modern nation may be debated. However, the usual view of the South as a backward agricultural society when compared to the North is shown not to be entirely true. The military commanders in the Union after McClellan, primarily Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, understood how the "second nature" of the railroad complemented the rivers as routes to facilitate the defeat of Confederate forces. The history of this era is fraught with much in the way of myth; I liked that Thomas cut through this, including the stories regarding the true reconstruction of the southern railroads by the victorious Union and the profound effect the railroads had on emancipated slaves. The links to digital resources are excellent. From my viewpoint, they illustrate how e-books can lead an interested reader quickly to good primary sources if that is desired. I read this book on my Android phone at lunch and times when I was stuck in a line somewhere -- a delight! All in all, a good book and one that I recommend to those interested in a deeper explanation of America in the 19th century.
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A cup of coffee

Humans have shared food and drink from time immemorial as they interact. A common thing is business over a cup of coffee. Just something about sharing with another that makes things go better. Yet, laws passed by our "wise" representatives in Congress prohibit such interaction when it involves a government employee and a contractor -- it obviously will lead to nefarious deeds which must be avoided at all costs. Of course, the politicians share expensive food and drink with the special interest folks who get laws of all sorts passed which do not help anyone except the fat cats of the land. Cup of coffee, any of you other common sorts out there?

Thad Zajdowicz (Thanks for 50,000+ views!)'s photostream

Thad Zajdowicz (Thanks for 50,000+ views!)'s photostream on Flickr.

Just one of my auto phots on Flickr.

Mingei Cat

Mingei Cat, a photo by Thad Zajdowicz on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Ceramic cat at Mingei Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego, California

The Mingei Museum in Balboa Park in San Diego is worth a visit -- wonderful art in every day life.

Going to try to post some photos here as well as reenergizing this blog!

Political violence

Yesterday’s shooting of Congresswoman Giffords and many others, with resultant deaths and attendant horror, must be condemned in the most vigorous way.  The political issues that face our nation must be solved peacefully, not through inciting violence.  There are too many guns and too many people willing to use them -- we have nothing short of national insanity as a consequence.  The thoughts of all should be with those killed and injured in this senseless act, and with their families.  The time to step past the violent words and the violence they incite is long past.

Kindle

I bought the original Amazon Kindle in 2008 (one each for my wife and me) and I continue to love reading on it.  Having enjoyed reading for almost 60 years now, I still find the idea of carrying around an entire bookshelf with me when I travel an astounding idea.  We had a chance to look at the new Kindles today that my daughter and her boyfriend got for Christmas -- I am intrigued all over again.  I can see one of these for our upcoming wedding anniversary for both my wife and me.