I wanted to share with everyone a little project I've been working on the last month or so.
Background: Several months ago, I stumbled across a PDF of a public domain 1902 US History book. I ended up reading it cover-to-cover, mostly on my Kindle. The trouble was, PDF is not the best format to utilize on Kindle. This particular book was available in plain text and other e-book formats, but there was no work done on these beyond the bad OCR.
I found that most public domain books are in the same condition. I've restored 10 books to date.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Roy%20Pitchford
What's the Matter with the United States
Product Description
Full Title: What's the Matter with the United States. The Meaning of the Progressive Movement and the Rise of the New Party
Amos Pinchot discusses the historic Progressive movements of England, France and the Netherlands (the "three mothers" of America). In subsequent chapters, Pinchot goes on to frame the history of the American Revolution and Civil War as struggles of the proletariat against the bourgeois. Finally, he looks at Progressivism in America today (1912).
Revolutionary Communism in the United States
Product Description
Revolutionary Communism in the United States is an article that discusses the actions of American Communist and Socialist groups and compares them to counterparts (Bolsheviks) in Russia.
I was amused by one particular point mentioned towards the end of the book. The author suggests that the communistic principle: "from each individual according to his ability, to each according to his needs" isn't practical in the United States.
"A system of 'distributive justice' that is based upon needs rather than upon contributive effort is to many persons not justice at all, but expropriation of the industrious and efficient for the benefit of the inefficient and indolent."
Abraham Lincoln - the Christian
Product Description
There is some question as to whether Abraham Lincoln was Christian or not. This book argues that he was, based on over 100 cited sources from those around him, including one of Lincoln's secretaries William O. Stoddard (who wrote a testimonial for the beginning of the book).
Progressivism - And After
Product Description
Progressivism - And After, originally published in 1914, looks at the relationships between the various left-leaning political ideologies coming into their own during the time period. Progressivism and Socialism (in various forms) are the most prevalent discussed. It discusses their influence in the United States (quoting Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson frequently), England, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand.
A Plea for the Constitution of the United States
Product Description
George Bancroft, a historian and stateman (serving as Secretary of the Navy under President Polk), writes A Plea for the Constitution of the United States: Wounded in the House of Its Guardians arguing against an 1884 Supreme Court decision (Juilliard v. Greenman) which made paper currency legal tender.
Bancroft cites numerous members of the Constitutional Convention stating that the use of currency (i.e. paper money) should not be used.
The Forerunners of Woodrow Wilson
Product Description
The Forerunner's of Woodrow Wilson is self-described as "An account of the men and measures that prepared the way and made possible the nomination and election of the twenty-eighth President of the United States."
Eugenics
Product Description
Eugenics (this book) is an article originally published n Good Health Magazine in 1913. The book begins by describing what was known, at the time, about genetics and inherited traits. Starting by discussing the simple concept of the color of Andalusian chickens and guinea pigs, we slowly shift into darker themes.
Fisher extends to humanity. The "feeble-minded" and "defectives" shouldn't be allowed to breed, whether by institutionalization or sterilization. The defects will be removed from the genetic pool in short order.
Two and Two Make Four
Product Description
Written in 1912 by Bird Coler, a Democratic politician in the New York area, Two and Two Make Four discusses the unions and divisions between religion and government going back as far as the Roman emperor Constantine.
Later in the book, he delves into how the removal of religion from schools, with examples coming from France, has led to a degradation of society. One quote that grabbed my attention as I restored this book came from Aristotle:
"Virtue does not consist in the mere knowledge of the good, but in the functioning of this knowledge."
A whole chapter is dedicated to the premises of Socialism and how Socialism stands in stark contrast to "The Nation Under God."
Groundwork of Eugenics
Product Description
The Groundwork of Eugenics is a compilation of 2 lectures given in early 1909 at the Galton Laboratory. They were meant to serve as an introduction to the Science of National Eugenics.
The Case Against Socialism, plainly stated for the man in the street
Product Description
The Case Against Socialism, written in the early 20th century in England, is a plain-english argument which discusses the fallacies of Socialism, shares a variety of definitions of Socialism (from socialists themselves) and delves into the various impacts Socialism has on society. For example, in chapter 6: Socialism and the Family, we find the following:
"The very first conception of a Socialistic State is such a relation of the sexes as shall prevent men and women from falling into selfish family groups. Family life is eternally at war with Socialistic life. When you have a private household you must have private property to feed it, hence a community of goods; the first idea of a Socialistic State has been found in every case to imply a community of children and to promote a community of wives."
