I highly, highly, highly recommend Dead Certainties by Simon Schama.  It's
currently available in paperback and can be ordered from amazon.com for
around $11.  It's a relatively quick read and a great discussion book!!

I first read it in a historiography class as an undergrad, but don't let
that dissuade you!  I have re-read it numerous times since just for the pure
enjoyment of it...

It's not your traditional "history book" - it's more of a real-life murder
mystery.  (Specifically, the 1849 murder of George Parkman, supposedly at
the hands of Dr. John Webster, a Harvard professor - the story was recently
featured on an episode of PBS's "American Experience"), but it raises very
interesting questions about "truth" and "fact" in history.

For more info:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679736131/qid=1065705740/sr=8
-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-5673302-3647013?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Let me know if you use this book and if you do, how your readers react!

Niccole Cook
**************************************************
Development Associate
Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
Phone:  412-454-6405
Fax:  412-454-6031
www.pghhistory.org

> ----------
> From:         Annmarie Zan
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Wednesday, October 8, 2003 10:22 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Books books books
>
> OK here's a fun one for all you American history buffs who like to read on
this site. I am starting an adult book club in January at our museum based
on American history. My first job is to select the books we will read for
the first several months. I am looking for a well rounded group with each
individual book being able to be read within a month and have enough
substance to fill a two hour discussion. These can be historical fiction or
nonfiction. Another idea is two short books that can be compared and
contrasted (I'm already thinking of Twelve Years a Slave and Incidents in
the Life of a Slave Girl). These books would have to be in print and for
cost purposes preferably available in paperback. I'm thinking of starting
with In the Heart of the Sea any other ideas? Also has anyone done this
before and how did it go? Any advise? Anyone in the Chicago area that's
interested in joining me contact me off list. Talk to you all soon Annmarie.
Interpretive Specialist Isle a la Cache Museum Romeoville IL
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