What do we offer of value to non-travelers?

Quite a lot. We worked hard to create a book that would be a “good read” as well as a useful travel tool. As you page through the book, you will take a “virtual tour” though America’s past, in words and pictures.

The enthusiasm of armchair travelers is particularly gratifying to us. One of our senior readers has written to us twice. The first time to say: “I am just loving your great book! I am rationing myself to a few pages at a time as I don't want to get through too quickly. I admire the descriptions of each place you visited, especially the way you personalized it and made me feel as if I was 'along for the trip.' The pictures are beautiful and well-placed to add to the understanding and enjoyment.”

Thinking she needed to say more, she wrote again a month later: “I continue to enjoy your lovely book and have read it twice now, although I only read a ‘chapter’ or so at a time.”

What do others say?

Here's a sampling of what reviewers have said recently about America's Living History-The Early Years that is relevant to armchair travelers:

“The photographs may be the incentive to open this book, but the text is every bit as engaging. Presented in a fashion that both children and adults can appreciate and enjoy, the historical background and descriptions of the sites are both inspiring and practical...it's a great virtual journey in its own right...” Megan Edwards, reviewer, RoadTripAmerica.com

“...one of the most-comprehensive and well-appointed large-format travel books on the subject.” Bill Thompson, The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

“Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker bring a rare kind of passion and love for America and its history to the pages that make this dense and lively volume both an exciting travelogue and a book of colorful history. The idea is to see more of America than the usual tourist sees, to see deeper and to see with eyes informed by the grand progression of past events and the pageantry of a great people and their myriad cultures.” Dennis Littrell, reviewer, Amazon.com

“Profusely illustrated with some five hundred color photographs, regional maps and tourist details...thoroughly 'reader friendly' text composed of brief and informative histories of the various places, setting them into a proper context within the greater drama of nation building and development.” Midwest Book Review

“Whether you plan to visit these sites or tour them from your armchair, this is a great resource...a beautiful book of more than 300 American historical treasures.” Craig Matteson, reviewer, Amazon.com

“What the Sheumakers have wrought is both an exquisite armchair travel book and a guide...In truth, I probably won't get to most of the places the Sheumakers describe, but at least I will have the benefit of the Sheumaker's portrayal of them - and that is a plus.” Jerry Saperstein, reviewer, Amazon.com

Want to see America’s first English settlement? 2007 was the 400th anniversary of the English colonization of Jamestown, Virginia, and the sentimental "birth" of America. You might wonder about this milestone. After all, the English were not the first to settle the continent. Native Peoples arrived here many thousands of years earlier, and the Spanish founded St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. However, our country's cultural identity evolved under English rule, and much of what we are today as a nation is the outgrowth of that first, admittedly feeble, 1607 English colony.

To truly understand our roots as a people and a nation, one needs to know the story of Jamestown. Both Historic Jamestowne (the original site) and nearby Jamestown Settlement (a living history re-creation) are included in America's Living History-The Early Years. For some background perspective, click on our two “Jamestown” Ezine articles, which include excerpts from the book.

Interested in America’s religious heritage? This is an exciting time to remember our early religious settlers. 2007 marked the 275th anniversary of Ephrata Cloister, the former settlement of highly devout Protestants in Pennsylvania, and the 190th anniversary of Zoar Village, founded by equally devout but very different Protestants in Ohio. Interestingly, neither religious group was English; they both came from European regions that are now part of Germany. Exceptional even today, their historic communities have been protected and restored. To learn about these fascinating places, see the Ezine article “Celebrate America’s Religious History,” which includes excerpts from our book.

Did you know that America has a Royal Palace? It dates back to the late 1800s, is located in Hawaii and welcomes tourists year-round. To learn about this remarkable place, click on our “In The Spotlight” article “A Royal Palace in America.”

Ready to learn more? Read our “In the Spotlight” feature on Illinois Historical Places. You'll discover four attractions southwest of Chicago that tell compelling stories about frontier settlement and Abraham Lincoln, ancient Native American mound builders, ill-fated French colonialism, and dramatic events in Mormon history.

Can the past survive our modern world? Many people worry about the impact of America's focus on advanced technologies. They decry the obsession, especially among young people, with owning the “latest” and “greatest.” They also struggle with the realization that history education is, if anything, getting worse; children seem to be learning more about social issues than about the foundations of our national heritage.

Yes, these are serious concerns. But do they translate to a lack of caring about the remains of our past? Do they threaten our historical parks and living history museums? We don’t think so. As we travel around the country, we are continually amazed by the number of twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings who populate historical parks and living history museums - as interpreters and as tourists. We also are amazed by the efforts of ordinary citizens and our government to protect historic remains and to bring back what seemingly has been lost to the ravages of time. This other side of the story led us to write our Ezine (electronic magazine) article “What is Happening to America’s History?” Click on it and enjoy!
 

Are you an armchair traveler?

Not everyone can or wants to travel. But many are captivated by the unusual and interesting places featured in America's Living History-The Early Years. How about you?

• Even the most avid traveler will admit to enjoying a “virtual trip.” You can set out from home in your mind’s eye, while sitting comfortably in your easy chair. You can discover wondrous things. And you can “arrive” back home refreshed, invigorated, informed.

• Paging through a book filled with color pictures and interesting tidbits of information is very satisfying - especially when the book is structured so that you can read here-and-there or cover-to-cover.

• Many readers are content to let other people do the driving and walking. They simply want to learn about America’s heritage and what remains of it today. Besides, it’s fun to get someone else’s “take” on our world.

Or are you an armchair researcher?

Maybe travel isn’t your “cup of tea,” but details about your heritage grab your attention.

• Whether your forebears were Indian warriors, Spanish explorers, English colonists, French fur traders, craftspeople or farmers from a myriad of other countries, African slaves, religious dissenters, soldiers, sailors or businessmen, you will find that America's Living History-The Early Years offers insight into the life your family once lived.

• If you’re like many others in this country, your education in U.S. history has been spotty at best, and you’ve forgotten more than you remember. Take a look at the summary overview and timeline on this website. For a broader overview, we offer brief historical perspectives at the beginning of each chapter in the book.

• If your impulse is to travel but your busy life gets in the way, we understand completely. We’d like to think that our 500 destination photos will help you satisfy any pent-up desire to see "what’s out there.” One day, you’ll have the time to see these places in person.