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.