The Great Hurricane of 1938 By: Cherie Burns
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue
Plot: An account of one of the worst storms in this century. The hurricane hit Long Island and New England but is almost forgotten about because of WW II.

Why read? When this storm hit, few people lived on Long Island. What would happen if a similar beast blew ashore today?

Dinosaurs in the Attic By: Douglas Preston
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue
Plot: Reading this book is like taking an excursion into the back rooms and corridors of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Why read? You’ll want to visit the museum and this time you’ll notice all of those unmarked doors and wonder where they lead.

The Great Influenza By: John Barry

Recommended by: Ms. Donahue

Plot: This book provides a historical account of the development of the medical profession, laboratory science and medical training as a result of the flu pandemic that occurred in the early 1900s. The role of the flu in the outcome of WW I is also explored.

Why read? By combining science and history, the book grabs your attention from two perspectives. Characters who make an appearance include John D. Rockefeller, Woodrow Wilson and William Welch, the founding head of Johns Hopkins Medical School. Their response to the crisis, which killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years, provides a model that can be used to confront new diseases. The final lesson of the pandemic has little to do with the disease itself and more to do with human nature and leadership. Fear, not disease, threatened to break society apart. Those in positions of authority must lessen panic and must listen to warnings from the scientific community.

The Devil in the White City By: Erik Larson
Recommended by: Ms. Donahue
Plot: Murder, magic and madness at the World's Fair of 1893. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. Such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison make an appearance in the story.

Why read? Dr. Holmes devised and erected the World’s Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed.

Great Political Wit By: Bob Dole
Recommended by: Mr. Eitner
Plot: This is a great collection of quotes from famous world and US leaders along with mini-stories from former Senator and Presidential candidate Bob Dole. There are many different focuses in the book that depict Dole’s life along with the highs and lows of living the political lifestyle.

Why read? This ‘compilation’ is good for the reader who can’t just sit and read; this book you can read as little or as much as you want and not be left in suspense. It’s also a nice, easily understood peek into the life of a politico. If you enjoy following politics or are looking to obtain a better understanding on what REALLY goes on behind the scenes of Capitol Hill, this surely is for you.

The Professor and the Madman By: Simon Winchester

Recommended by: Ms. Donahue

Plot: The author chronicles the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary. This huge undertaking required many volunteers, one of whom, an American, contributes more than any other person. Who is he? Why the mystery?

Why read? The compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary began in 1857. In 1879, an open invitation calling for readers to assist in the collection of material for the dictionary was issued. The story examines the fine line between sanity and madness as two obsessive characters work to “save” the English language. (Today, the OED includes 500,000 words in 20 volumes!)

The Children’s Blizzard By: David Laskin
Recommended by: Mrs. Warren
Plot: This book, which takes place in 1888, is about the brave immigrants who settled the American Midwest. When a vicious blizzard hits unexpectedly, most of the children are in school. They are forced to brave a storm that, for many, results in death. The story details the effects the storm has on the immigrant families and ultimately causes many of them to leave the prairie.

Why Read? Laskin makes the characters come to life. Just as you become involved in the lives of the characters, the storm of the century has a major impact on them all. This gripping tale will teach you about history, meteorology, and the human spirit. There are some graphic scenes, but if you like history, you may want to add The Children’s Blizzard to your summer reading list.

People’s History of the United States: 1492 to Present By: Howard Zinn
Recommended by: Nicole M
Plot: Howard Zinn infuses the often-ignored voices of historically oppressed groups into this thorough narrative that spans American history from Christopher Columbus’s arrival to an afterword on the Clinton presidency.

Why read? This turns history textbooks on their ends.

Reaching for Glory: Lyndon Johnson’s Secret White House Tapes 1964-65 By: Michael Beschloss
Recommended by: Mr. Nieskens
Plot: This book is the second compilation of Johnson’s white house tapes. I would also highly recommend the first, “Taking Charge” which starts on Nov. 22, 1963 with Johnson’s phone conversation with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Lyndon Johnson is a fascinating twentieth century political giant and to read his thoughts, worries and calculations on civil rights and Vietnam stripped of the modern “spin” is a welcome relief.

Why read? I never fully understood America’s entrance into Vietnam until I read Johnson’s personal thoughts, pressures, and private frustrations. And the complexity of Johnson's character comes out on each page. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s also filled with conversations of the biggest political names of the time. Anyone interested in the 60’s politics and the social movements would like this book.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer By: James L. Swanson

Recommended by: Mr. Cibrian

Plot: This work chronicles John Wilkes Booth’s killing of Lincoln, his co-conspirators’ failures to kill members of Lincoln's Cabinet, and Booth's attempts to escape from federal forces.

Why read? You know the basic history, but you don’t know all of the details that make this an exciting tale. Swanson describes the routes, the major and minor players, and the various confrontations in an engaging, on the edge of your seat, fashion.

1776 By: David McCullough
Recommended by: Monica P.
Plot: A detailed following of the military triumphs and defeats of the year 1776. He also delves into the lives and conditions of Continental soldiers and their leaders.

Why read? As an early American history enthusiast, I can say that this book is not only fantastic for learning about the events of 1776, but the people involved in shaping our country.