L.E.D.™ Resources & Recommendations

Democracy In America
By Alexis de Tocqueville / Penguin Classics

A whole semester (year?) of study for our high schooler.

In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville, a young Frnech aristocrat and civil servant, made a nine-month journey through eastern America. The result was Democracy in America, a monumental study of the strengths and weakensses of the nation's evolving politics. Tocqueville looked to the flourishing democratic system in American as a possible model for post-revolutionary France, believing its egalitarian ideals reflected the spirit of the age - even that they were the will of God. His insightful work has become one of the most influential political texts ever written on America and an indispensable authority for anyone interested in the future of democracy. This volume includes the rarely translated "Two Weeks in the Wilderness", an evocative account of Tocqueville's travels among the Iroquois and Chippeway, and 'Excursion to Lake Oneida.'

Daniel Boone: His Own Story
By Daniel Boone / Applewood Books

Didn't plan to read this one, but we hadn't looked at him in our earlier tudies and I had a Dover Color Book on him too, and the children were interested so... We loved reading about His trust in the Providence of God in his own words. I hadn't come across that in any of the other books "about" him.

Before Davy Crocket and Kit Carson came along to share the wild frontier legend, there lived a pioneer and trailblazer named Daniel Boone--and extraordinary man, who, with his brother, Squire, explored the "howling wilderness" and helped settle the State of Kentucky. When this true life account was first published in the early 1800s, it served to set the record straight once and for all on the mythic Daniel Boone, and established him as a new American hero. The first part of the book is told in Boone's own words and spans twenty-five years of his life, from 1769, through the Revolutionary War, and up to 1784. The second section was written by Frances Lister Hawks as a biography, and traces Boone's life from childhood up to his death in 1818. The book paints a vivid portrait of Boone, and allows us to experience his times- life with Shawanese, Cherokees, Wyandots, Tawas and other Indians, as well as the trials of everyday pioneer life in the mountains, the woods, and along the rivers-and takes the reader to the first white settlement in Kentucky, named Boonesborough in his honor.

Of Courage Undaunted: Across the Continent with Lewis and Clark
By James Daugherty / Beautiful Feet Books

An easy introduction to the journals of Lewis and Clark. We just weren't ready to tackle those yet.

Cross the continent with Lewis and Clark! Daugherty's rich narrative and gripping charcoal illustrations have captured kids' imaginations for over 50 years. Witness the expedition's incredible hardships, hair-raising adventures, and dizzying discoveries as the brave band of explorers treks ever deeper into the unknown West---and blazes the trail for our nation's growth. Ages 9 and up. 168 pages, softcover.

Christ in the Camp
By J. William Jones / The Vision Forum, Inc

I'm hoping to tackle at least part of this.

Your older students will be inspired by this eyewitness account of the spiritual battle waged for men's souls during the American Civil War. Through letters and memoirs, Confederate army chaplain Jones chronicles heroic ministry on the frontlines; worship and revival services in the camps; and the witness of Christian generals like Robert E. Lee and Jeb Stuart. 624 pages, hardcover.

Gods and Generals, DVD
By Word Entertainment, Inc.

One of our favorite movies. We'll love watching it again when we get to this time. We got Gettysburg too, and have laready watched it, but will do so again when it is time.

Based on Jeffrey M. Shaara's bestseller, Gods and Generals recounts the fierce allegiances and combat of the early Civil War. Ronald R. Maxwell directs this epic prequel to his Gettysburg, framing the story with three bold men and three fateful battles. The men: Joshua Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), "Stonewall" Jackson (Stephen Lang), Robert E. Lee (Robert Duvall). The battles: Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville. Through these combatants and conflicts we witness the bravery and strife of a nation at war with itself. Color/219 minutes. Widescreen version. Rated PG-13 for sustained battle sequences.

Epic Extras:

• All-new introduction by executive producer Ted Turner
• Feature-length commentary by writer/director Ronald F. Maxwell and 2 of the film's historical advisors, Col. Keith Gibson and James I. Robertson Jr.
• 3 insightful making-of documentaries
• 2 music videos
• Interactive menus
• Theatrical trailer
• Scene access
• Subtitles: English, Francais & Espanol

Yankees vs. Rebels - Audiobook on CD
By The Vision Forum, Inc

Great listen for teens and adults on this controverial subject.

Slavery? States rights? Economic pressure? Regional politics? What were the true causes of the War Between the States? How was it possible for so many "great" men, many of whom were Christians, to disagree so fundamentally on the defining war of American history? For years, Christian students have either been befuddled by the constoversies or bamboozled into believing nonsense sprouted by secular commentators. Into the historical faray steps historians Bill Potter with a scholarly, Christian response to the controversy. 1 CD. 76 minutes.

The Great Civil War Debate, Video
By American Portrait Films

Great debate between 2 respectable Christians. I got this a few years ago and have watched it a few times. The children (older ones anyhow) will watch it with me this time. I'm sure you'd see a few things you haven't before if you watch it.

When revival broke out in 1857, did it help set the stage for civil war? Was the issue under dispute really slavery . . . or states' rights? How did America go from being "one nation under God" to a "big brother" bureaucracy? Reverends Peter Marshall (North) and Steve Wilkins (South) go head-to-head in this compelling, informative, and fast-paced debate! Approx. 120 minutes.

Life and Campaigns of Lieutenant General Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson
By Robert Lewis Dabney / The Vision Forum, Inc

This is big and long and I don't know how I'll ever have time for it, but I love reading about Jackson, and I'd like to read more by Dabney, so I got it.

He was one of the Confederacy's greatest commanders and God's devoted warrior. No other biographer understood this immovable leader better than Dabney, a seminary professor who served on the general's staff. This reprint of Dabney's 1865 opus reveals Jackson as an affectionate family man, unwavering in his commitment to duty and imbued with valor, piety, and absolute trust in providence. Includes a 37-page softcover booklet on Dabney. 742 pages, hardcover.

All Things for Good: The Steadfast Fidelity of Stonewall Jackson

I love this series of biographies for adults and teens, so plan on me and high school student reading these.

All Things for Good is a thoughtful addition to the Leaders in Action series. In it J. Steven Wilkins challenges some of the myths that surround Stonewally Jackson and celebrates his devout Christian beliefs.

May I Quote You, Stonewall Jackson?
By Randall Bedwell / Cumberland House Publishing

Direct quotes are always good. See what he really had to say.

May I Quote You, Stonewall Jackson? vividly portrays a hero of the South through his own words and through the words of those who knew him. Jackson's remarks about the war and its soldiers paint a lucid portrait of the era and one of its most celebrated leaders.

Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee, The Leaders in Action Series

I love this series of biographies for adults and teens, so plan on me and high school student reading these.

CALL TO DUTY: The sterling nobility of Robert E. Lee by, J. Steven Wilkins General Editor, George Grant Lee: A giant among leaders. Charles Bracelen Flood has said that the essence of Robert E. Lee "...was to be found not in what he said, but in what he did. There were dimensions to Lee, but his life was one long response to whatever struch him as being the call of duty." Duty to care for his mother-duty as a son, a student, a soldier, a husband and father, a general, and a mentor of students at both West Point and Washington College. Duty called to him at every point in his life.

Warriors of Honor, DVD
By New Liberty Videos

Haven't watched this one yet, but it came recommended.

Explore the context, causes, and conflicts of the Civil War---and examine the lives and legacies of two stalwart men who fought for the South. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were masterful generals, brilliant strategists, and above all, faithful Christians. Includes bonus video essays on slavery, Confederate Medal of Honor winner Sam Davis, and the Palmyra massacre. 80 minutes.

With Lee in Virginia -- MP3 Audio CDs Unabridged
By Jim Hodges Productions

If you've read my blog you know that I've had trouble getting into Henty's books. But I'm loving listening to the CD's. I particularly liked this story. Jim Hodges does UNabridged versions and his prices are great.

Few wars have been fought by each side with greater intensity of conviction in the rightness of its cause or with more abundant personal heroism than the War Between the States. The story begins with a great responsibility falling on Vincent Wingfield, the teenage son of a widowed Virginia plantation owner. Vincent must decide what course of action he should take when a problem arises on the plantation. Unlike many stories of this American war, Mr. Henty brings to it a European viewpoint that differs drastically from the current views on the nature and reasons for this struggle. Henty's With Lee In Virginia will introduce the reader to many of the famous battles of the 1860's along with learning much about the character of Robert E. Lee and his lieutenants. Unabridged. Read by Jim Hodges. 1 MP3 CD. 11 hours.

Uncle Tom's Cabin
By Harriet Beecher Stowe / Wordsworth Classic C/o Rl Kaye

Don't know if we'll get to this or not, but it is definitely a classic from this time.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel influenced an entire country at war with her heart wrenching novel that has long since become a classic. Focusing upon the evils of slavery, the tears shed as child was ripped from mother and husband from wife, her depiction of the seemingly inhuman hearts that could trade human beings has reverberated down to us as a grim reminder of the evil mankind is capable of. 438 pages, softcover.