To one Dave R. from another Dave R:

Dave:
You might want to read Peter L. Bernstein's "Wedding of the Waters: The Erie
Canal and the Making of a Great Nation" [2005]. I'd say that this was a
"good" history; worth reading; factual history. It didn't quite rise to
being a "great" history book, however. I think the topic/subject of the Erie
Canal is there waiting for a really top-flight "A+" history book.

Nonetheless, I think Bernstein's book is worth the time you'd spend reading
it. I learned a lot from it.

David Roberts
Hollywood, MD


----- Original Message -----
From: "gerard koeppel" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 10:52 AM
Subject: [NYHIST-L] "How The Irish Built The Erie" by Harvey Chalmers II


> Chalmers' book should be read as historical fiction, with stress on
> the noun.   Books such as Vidal's "Burr" may be read with some
> confidence as to factual accuracy; Chalmers', with its invented cast
> of characters, dialogue, and situations, should not.
>
> Gerard K.
>
> On May 11, 2006, at 12:00 AM, NYHIST-L automatic digest system wrote:
>
> > There is 1 message totalling 61 lines in this issue.
> >
> > Topics of the day:
> >
> >   1. "How The Irish Built The Erie" by Harvey Chalmers II
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Date:    Tue, 9 May 2006 21:21:08 -0400
> > From:    Dave Ruch <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject: "How The Irish Built The Erie" by Harvey Chalmers II
> >
> >
> > I've had this book in my library for several years, but am just now =
> > getting around to reading it this month.  I've seen it listed in =
> > countless places as a Non-Fiction book, yet it reads so much like =
> > Fiction, or perhaps Historical Fiction, complete with quotations of =
> > lengthy conversations between people in the 1810's and 20's, letters =
> > between Canvass White and a bateaux boat keeper on the Mohawk River
> > with =
> > language that seems much more like 1950 than 1818, etc.
> >
> > Do others have experience with this book &/or author?  If so, I'd
> > love =
> > to hear your comments.
> >
> > Dave R.