Earl Swift est un journaliste et auteur réputé, célèbre pour sa narration puissante et son reportage méticuleux. Son travail explore le tissu social et culturel de l'Amérique, abordant souvent des thèmes liés à l'histoire d'après-guerre et à l'impact des systèmes de transport sur l'identité nationale. Le style de Swift se caractérise par des recherches approfondies et une aptitude à relier des histoires personnelles à des contextes historiques plus larges, offrant aux lecteurs des récits captivants et réfléchis.
Rich in narratives, the book showcases Virginia as a land filled with diverse and compelling stories. Earl Swift emerges as a keen observer and dedicated storyteller, capturing the essence of the region through his insightful chronicling.
A Classic Car, an Outlaw Motorhead, and 57 Years of the American Dream
The narrative centers on an outlaw auto dealer's quest to restore a dilapidated '57 Chevy that has seen numerous owners. As he navigates the challenges posed by financial difficulties, bureaucratic obstacles, and the looming threat of the FBI, the story intertwines humor and wisdom. Earl Swift's captivating account offers a unique exploration of passion for cars and the complexities of American society, making it a compelling read for enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
The narrative explores the unspoken commitment of the US government to its soldiers, emphasizing the promise that they will not be abandoned in times of peril. It delves into the emotional and moral implications of this pledge, highlighting the sacrifices made by service members and the profound impact of their experiences in battle. The story unfolds against a backdrop of duty and honor, examining the bonds formed among soldiers and the struggles they face both on and off the battlefield.
But Apollo 11 was but a prelude to what came later: while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trod a sliver of flat lunar desert smaller than a football field, Apollos 15, 16, and 17 each commanded a mountainous area the size of Manhattan.
Tangier Island, Virginia, is a community unique on the American landscape. Mapped by John Smith in 1608, settled during the American Revolution, the tiny sliver of mud is home to 470 hardy people who live an isolated and challenging existence, with one foot in the 21st century and another in times long passed. They are separated from their countrymen by the nation's largest estuary, and a twelve-mile boat trip across often tempestuous water--the same water that for generations has made Tangier's fleet of small fishing boats a chief source for the rightly prized Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and has lent the island its claim to fame as the softshell crab capital of the world. Yet for all of its long history, and despite its tenacity, Tangier is disappearing. The very water that has long sustained it is erasing the island day by day, wave by wave. It has lost two-thirds of its land since 1850, and still its shoreline retreats by fifteen feet a year--meaning this storied place will likely succumb first among U.S. towns to the effects of climate change. Experts reckon that, barring heroic intervention by the federal government, islanders could be forced to abandon their home within twenty-five years. Meanwhile, the graves of their forebears are being sprung open by encroaching tides, and the conservative and deeply religious Tangiermen ponder the end times. Chesapeake Requiem is an intimate look at the island's past, present and tenuous future, by an acclaimed journalist who spent much of the past two years living among Tangier's people, crabbing and oystering with its watermen, and observing its long traditions and odd ways. What emerges is the poignant tale of a world that has, quite nearly, gone by--and a leading-edge report on the coming fate of countless coastal communities
From its beginnings as a trickle of icy water in Virginia's northwest corner to its mile-wide mouth at Hampton Roads, the James River has witnessed more recorded history than any other American landscape. This is a chronicle of the author's three weeks travelling through the heart of Virginia.
The book offers an engaging exploration of the development of the U.S. interstate system, shedding light on its historical significance and impact on American travel. By delving into the origins and evolution of these highways, it enhances readers' appreciation for the roads they traverse. This insightful narrative not only informs but also connects the past to the present, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the history of American infrastructure.
The 1921 Murder Farm Massacre and the Horror of America's Second Slavery
The narrative nonfiction work uncovers the tragic mass killing of eleven Black farmhands in 1921 Georgia, revealing the pervasive issue of peonage, a form of post-Civil War slavery. It intertwines elements of police procedural, courtroom drama, and political expose, highlighting the efforts of key figures like James Weldon Johnson, the first Black leader of the NAACP, and Walter F. White, who exposed racial violence. The redemption arc of Georgia governor Hugh M. Dorsey adds depth to the story, showcasing a pivotal moment in the fight against systemic racism.