Here are good books worth reading about topics studied in various classes.
U.S. HISTORY
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose: a study of the Lewis and Clark
expedition and its exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
Here are some good movies to watch about topics studied in various classes.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR (alas, not many good movies on this topic)
The Patriot: loosely based on the exploits of Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox,
this film has many historical faults, but does feature the war in the South
and shows that the war was not only a revolution against a colonial power,
but also very much a civil war pitting neighbor against neighbor.
1776: a fun, light-hearted, but occasionally stirring, musical based on the
passing of the Lee resolution for independence and the drafting of the
Declaration of Independence.
THE U.S. CIVIL WAR (many good ones--here are some of the best)
Glory: an intelligent, moving and exciting story of the first black regiment
in the Union Army, the Massachusetts 54th.
Gettysburg: a long, but excellent film based on one of the best novels about
the Civil War, The Killer Angels.
Gone With The Wind: a classic film featuring the struggles of the O'Hara
family throughout the war--"Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn."
The Red Badge of Courage: based on the classic novel by Stephen Crane, this
movie examines a young Union soldier's struggle with cowardice.
Ride With The Devil: examines the brutal war along the Missouri-Kansas
border between the Bushwackers (pro-South) and Jayhawkers (pro-Union).
