Current Reads: Kofi Annan, Andrew Johnson and the Amistad Rebellion

Ok so this year I am making a very concerted effort to read more non-fiction books. I will be concentrating on history and politics with some of the other aspects of Social Studies thrown in to the mix. Currently, I have myself spread between three books. They are:

Interventions: A Life in War and Peace Kofi Annan with Nader Mousavizadeh.

I must confess that I knew little about Kofi Annan prior to starting this book. I knew he was at one point Secretary General of the United Nations but that was about all. So far and I'm not that far into the book it has been enlightening. I didn't realize that Kofi was the first Sub-Saharan African to serve as Secretary General. Here's what others say about the book:
"In this thought provoking new memoir, Kofi Annan describes the peaceful and more equitable world that is within our grasp and offers his candid perspective on the challenges we must overcome to get there. Interventions is a powerful reminder that the United Nations still matters-and must continue to matter if we want our new century to be more free, peaceful and prosperous than the last" - President William J. Clinton

"Behind the velvet tones of Kofi Annan's dulcet Ghanaian voice, there's a fearsome, fearless iron will, intent on finding solutions to some of the world's biggest problems" - Bono

Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacy  David O. Stewart

On February 24, 1868 - Accusing Johnson of violating the tenure of Office Act, the House approves an impeachment resolution by a vote of 126-47. When I read this on the day of the anniversary, I realized that I either knew little about the impeachment or like many things I had forgotten whati  did know! Anyway, I wanted to learn more about the Impeachment and maybe compare it to Bill Clinton's (there is no comparison) I found David O. Stewart's book and having liked his book on Aaron Burr this would be a good read. I was correct so far like the Annan book it has been enlightening. I have a new respect for the Radical Republicans and Thaddeus Stevens, though I still have a hard time thinking of them as the "Good guys"!

"Anyone who thinks that American politics has lately been at a high level of viciousness should read this gripping story of Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. There are fewer angels than we have thought, and more political hatred and knife work - all with the underlying issue of justice and race" - Anthony Lewis former NY Times columnist and author of Gideon's Trumpet

The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom - Marcus Redeker

Unlike the above books I really didn't seek this book out, rather it was at the library one day a couple weeks ago and I couldn't pass it up. Back on January 13th to be exact I read about the verdict of the trial:

 Judge Judson announced his decision on January 13, 1840, after a weekend of deliberation. He ruled that the Amistad captives were "born free" and kidnapped in violation of international law. They had mutinied, he said, out of a "desire of winning their liberty and of returning to their families and kindred." He ordered that the Amistads be "delivered to President Van Buren for transport back to Africa." He ended his opinion with the observation, "Cinque and Grabeau shall not sigh for Africa in vain. Bloody as may be their hands, they shall yet embrace their kindred." The Grampus sailed out of New Haven harbor without its black passengers. Van Buren was described as "greatly dissatisfied." Full Story

So when I saw this book I thought it was a good time to jump in and learn about the Rebellion!

"Marcus Rediker writes that after completing The Slave Ship he felt the need to look into a 'hopeful counterpoint to this gruesome history'; the successful Amistad rebellion. What a radiant, many-fingered dawn of hope he has discovered!" Staughton Lynd

So far I have learned a lot about the background of the amazing men who won their freedom in this rebellion! I'm sure that the rest of the book will be just as packed with interesting nuggets of knowledge!