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Timeline
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Common Sense by Thomas Paine
This pamphlet is credited for possibly sparking the colonies to ultimately rebel against British rule. Paine clearly and concisely put forth his argument as to why America should be independent and that it should be now. It is even said that George Washington read it to his troops during the Revolutionary War.
Common Sense on goodreads.com -
The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison
Though these papers were at first written under the pseudonym "Publius," many Americans suspected the authors to be Hamilton, Jay and Madison. These papers were written to persuade the American public to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Many states were holding out and these papers helped influence the vote in its favor.
The Federalist Papers on goodreads.com -
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's novel about the iron rule of the Puritans and their harsh judgments during the early days of America struck a chord with the readers in the mid 1800s. It not only gave them a glimpse into American's history but it questioned laws and morality. Should government legislate morality? Should one have to be publicly humiliated over their supposed wrong doing?
The Scarlet Letter on goodreads.com -
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
At a time when a nation was divided over the controversial issue of slavery, Uncle Tom's Cabin brought to light the atrocities many slaves were being subjected to. Even though it is a fictional story, it hit Americans so hard that many joined and agreed with the abolition movement. Some even go so far to say that it may have been one of the reasons for the Civil War.
Uncle Tom's Cabin on goodreads.com -
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Sinclair once said, "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” His story of the grotesque practices of meat packing factories during the early 1900s caused an uproar among Americans. It lead to the establishment of several government agencies including the current Food and Drug Administration.
The Jungle on goodreads.com -
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock
Until this point in history, many parents followed traditional and Biblical practices of child rearing. Spock's book completely went against this idea. He promoted the idea of showing love over the many harsh discipline methods usedat that time. He says to parents, “Trust yourself. You know more than you think."
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care on goodreads.com -
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
This book is one of the most widely read books by children. Even though it is more than 60 years old, its timeless theme of selfless friendship continues to inspire any and every generation. Eudora Welty, a New York Times writer, said, "As a piece of work it is just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done."
Charlotte's Web on goodreads.com -
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Lee's harrowing tale of the unjust trial of an innocent African American male accused of raping a white girl added fuel to the fire of the U.S. civil rights movement. What makes it even more timeless is the heartwarming relationship between Atticus Finch and his daughter Scout. It even has an Academy Award winning movie adaptation that is excellent.
To Kill a Mockingbird on goodreads.com -
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Carson brought to the forefront the environmental and health concerns related to pesticides. She presented a more scientific argument than necessarily an alarmist argument. Her findings lead to a ban on DDT as well as sparking the environmental movement and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Silent Spring on goodreads.com -
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
This book finds its place on the list due to its perspective from the Native American perspective. Carson brings to life the mistreatment that these people were subjected to by the American government. Americans truly had their eyes opened and their hearts broken after reading this history novel.
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Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee on goodreads.com
