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A Traveler’s Guide: America’s Living History-The Early Years ISBN: 978-0-9792598-0-7 by Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker 224 pp with 500 color photos. Red Corral Publishing. $29.95
ANOTHER TRAVEL GUIDE? THIS ONE’S DIFFERENT. REALLY!! In a nation so proud of its heritage, U.S. guidebook publishers have offered surprisingly little to satisfy the special needs of history-oriented travelers. Americans who love exploring the past tend to look for a good story and favor specific time periods. They also choose travel destinations based on historic authenticity rather than location. But since conventional travel guides are organized by cities/states/regions, trying to identify relevant places can be time-consuming and frustrating. A solution has finally arrived with America’s Living History-The Early Years. (See www.AmericasLivingHistory.com) This just-released guidebook focuses on the time before the 1840s westward movement and, unlike conventional travel books, categorizes recommended destinations by chapters in history: America’s Native Peoples, European Colonization, Religious and Secular Groups, Road to Independence, Our New Nation and Opening the West. Here, in a reader-friendly format, you will find 300 premier destinations. It is an exceptional collection of World Heritage Sites, National Parks and Monuments, State and National Historic Sites, and privately operated living history museums. But this is just part of the story. Authors Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker have used the histories of these sites - along with 500 color photographs - to recall the remarkable happenings during America’s most formative years. “Our intent is not to teach history but to stimulate interest,” Suzanne notes. “We want Americans to explore their heritage and witness first-hand what can only be imagined through books, lectures, museums and films. This is history at its most enjoyable...real, personal, touchable.” Open the book, and page through the past. Are you interested in religious movements? America’s Living History-The Early Years lists dozens of religious sites, from Amana to Zoar, and provides feature stories on more than half of them. Want to see how early Americans made a living? You will discover working farms and plantations plus iron furnaces, a gunpowder manufacturer, a textile mill, taverns, pharmacies, fur trading posts and commercial villages. Do you have a passion for military matters? Explore sections on the French & Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Here are 40 of the most noteworthy military destinations - restored or reconstructed forts, historic buildings, battlegrounds and encampment sites that played a pivotal role in America’s fight for independence. Look further back in time. Are you curious about the Native Peoples? See ancient remains and rock carvings, restored and reconstructed Indian villages, Native resources (free-roaming bison, pronghorn antelope and a tall grass prairie) plus monumental earthworks, including one that has a footprint larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. And what about the first European settlers? Awaiting you are full-scale replicas of the sailing ships that brought them to the New World and villages where Colonial America is being re-created so realistically that you may feel transported into the past. Along with historical perspectives and sidebars of interesting facts, this one-of-a-kind book is meant to intrigue and entertain while providing a wealth of travel ideas. America’s Living History-The Early Years (ISBN: 978-0-9792598-0-7) is a $29.95 high-quality paperback, 8-1/2” x 11” and 224 pages. It is available through traditional and online stores. Autographed copies are available direct from Red Corral Publishing at www.AmericasLivingHistory.com (Sidebar Story) 10 TIPS FOR HISTORY TRAVELERS Choosing Your Travel Itinerary 1. Pick a few historic sites that you most want to visit. Then build your itinerary around them. 2. Add a scenic place and/or a modern attraction for variety. You will want to retain what you learned at the historic places by giving your mind a breather. 3. Never assume a destination’s website is up-to-date. Call for current hours and days of operation as well as festivals and re-enactments you might want to attend. Also ask about potential disruptions due to construction projects or school events. Ideal Times to Visit 4. Most attractions are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many are open longer. National parks are usually open year-round. 5. Interpretive activities typically occur in the mornings and early afternoons during summer and less frequently at other times. Weekends tend to have the most programs. So if you want the widest range of living history or are traveling with children, you may prefer summer weekends. 6. While weekdays can be more relaxing, tour/school groups may be a distraction - especially in springtime. If this is a concern, check with the site in advance of your visit. What to Expect at the Site 7. Take the guided tour. If you limit yourself to what can be seen on your own, you are likely to miss the best parts. 8. Ask the living history interpreters lots of questions. They generally are well trained and welcome the opportunity to share their specialized, hands-on knowledge. 9. Never fall into the trap of saying “Been there. Done that.” Change is inevitable, and the best sites typically get better and better. A second visit may be just as eye-opening. 10. Some sites have food and beverage concessions. A few have restaurants that are history-inspired. So check in advance if this is important to you, and plan accordingly. ### © 2007 Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker and Red Corral Publishing. All rights reserved. Download in: MSWord or .PDF format. These materials are provided solely for editorial and promotional purposes relating to the book | ||
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