Steven Wright: The Crucible

I decided to choose The Crucible for my summer reading assignment because of its view on witchcraft in the 17th century colonies. Since there is no way to prove witchcraft with evidence, the judge is given a choice to believe either the one accused or the victim. However, it does seem reasonable to blame the devil for disturbing occurrences like Indian raids and perishing babies. This new land the town of Salem rests on remains unexplored and holds the population clinging to the church in times of crisis. It is astonishing to know how someone would use this weakness in the court to gain from others in the town. Land is the primary issue as the one accused would lose his property to his neighbors. I am quite relieved that modern law has evolved away from this unfair and superstitious reasoning.

Shane Smith - We Were Soldiers

I chose to read We Were Soldiers Once….and Young by LT. General Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway.  The reason I chose this book is because it looked like the one I would most be interested in – I like military history.  It is the story of the first major land battle of the Vietnam War that took place in the Ia Drang Valley – also known as “Death Valley”.  The book is based on interviews of people from both sides resulting in a detailed account of what happened physically and emotionally during the battle.  

Logan Featherstone- The President Calling

I chose to listen to JFK's tapes to the Governor of Mississippi, Ross Barnett, during the huge civil right movement to get the first colored man, James Meridith, into Ole Miss. I enjoyed how when Barnett tried to say something to the president that was a utter lye JFK just called him out on it and made Barnett do everything he said or threatened to expose him to his follower(white Mississippi Racists) that he was negotiating with him, which would end his career as a politician in Mississippi.

(John) Caleb Garven - Killer Angels

(John) Caleb Garven - I chose to read Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, because I read the pre-quel to it, Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara. I greatly enjoyed Killer Angels, it focused on the battle of Gettysburg, from the perspective of two union soldiers and two confederate soldiers. It was a really interesting ret-telling of Gettysburg, because it had different perspectives in the book, and tried to accurately portray the thoughts of the characters.

Logan Featherstone- Uncle Tom's Cabin

Logan Featherstone: I read the famous Harriet Beacher Stowe novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, which follows the story of a couple of slaves from the same plantation that had to leave the plantation for one reason or another, and explores their feelings about slavery and there master, but mostly about there wills to live in a free world, or be a good Christian. I chose this book, because I wanted a deeper understanding of how slaves were treated back in the slave age of American History.

Katherine Maxwell: Coming Of Age In Mississippi

I choose Coming Of Age In Mississippi because its an inspirational story about a young girl having to overcome racial inequality and constant struggles. I really enjoy reading autobiographies and learning people's past and their unique stories. This book is about slavery which is such a broad subject that most people already have a general idea of. But this book will give more insight and help me understand the details and circumstances of so many people during the time period.

Kathryn Moore: The Age of Innocence

When I was trying to decide which book to read for summer reading I did some researching on each book, The Age of Innocence seemed to spike an interest in me because it almost seemed that the name of the book is somewhat comical due to the fact that that that time wasn't really an innocent time at all. This book seems extremely interesting and so far it is. I'm excited to continue reading.

Justin Bartell: Catch-22

I chose Catch-22 by Joseph Heller for this summer assignment.  The main reason I chose this book was because I wanted to know where the term "catch 22" originated from.  It is a highly humorous, satirical work that I enjoyed immensely.  It focuses around Yossarian, a bombardier in WWII, but changes its focus to other characters by chapter.  It is set in the time of WWII in a war camp that is filled with idiosyncratic people who think everyone else is crazy.  Humorous paradoxes litter this work, making it a very entertaining read.  Heller, in a humorous way, pokes fun at many elements of war, religion, etc. in this book.  Most likely, I'll be reading it again.

Calvin Carlson, The Killer Angels

I chose The Killer Angels because my friend recommended it to me as a thrilling adventure through various story lines of the civil war and events leading up to the battle of Gettysburg. By having different chapters from the different view of war time leaders the reader can easily see what is going on through all sides of the war.

Calvin Carlson, Killer Angels

I am reading The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This book is very well written as it gives key insights into the inner workings of the events leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara jumps between several war-time leaders on either side of the battle which helps the reader understand why each side was fighting.

Anna Sandstrum - President Calling (Kennedy)

Throughout listening to Kennedy's calls, I came to the conclusion that his tactics as a politician, more specifically a negotiator, were quite impressive. When faced with racial issues and high tensions in Mississippi, he did what was necessary to keep everything calm without sending troops in even though the other side was conspiring against him. Kennedy seems to have a knack for keeping his calm throughout his presidency. In my opinion, this is an attribute needed to be a good negotiator and politician as he showed when faced with an issue.

APUSH Summer Reading Book

Lauren Thompson:  We were soldiers 

I chose to read this book because it seemed the most appealing.  The Vietnam war is an interesting peice of American history and this book tells the story, on a personal level, of soldiers involved in the conflict.

Brittany Pollock- I am reading the book The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton because the setting of the book is in the 20s and that is a time period I would love to read about.  Also the plot seems very interesting, not something i would fall asleep reading!

Campbell Sears - Uncle Toms Cabin

I chose Uncle Toms Cabin because the issues that are being brought to question were pivotal in our nations history.