Books with author Russell Roberts

Many people do not realize that there were two theaters of warfare during the American Revolution. One was in the east, with George Washington and his Continental Army. The other was in the west, with George Rogers Clark and his spirited volunteers trying to hold off the British and their Native American allies. The story of George Rogers Clark is one of courage, bravery, and daring in the face of overwhelming odds. Often finding himself in what appeared to be a hopeless situation, Clark used skill and ingenuity to improvise his way to repeated victories. He was the fabled Long Knife, known far and wide not only for his brutality but also for his honesty and bravery. His victories played a key part in helping America win the War of Independence. Unfortunately, the later years of his life were not kind to Clark. Although he died a forgotten and tragic figure, nothing can erase his heroic accomplishments.

Poseidon, the god of the sea, was the brother of Zeus. He shared many similarities with his brother, especially his appearance. Yet while Zeus sometimes displayed a playful and humorous side, Poseidon always seemed moody, morose, and even downright angry. Poseidon s prickly personality made him someone to be avoided, both by mortals and by other gods. Yet as ruler of the waters, Poseidon was an important deity for the Greeks, particularly since much of their life revolved around the sea. While it was a good idea to avoid Poseidon, it was also necessary to keep him happy.

The ancient Greeks worshiped a complex group of deities, weaving their characters into timeless tales of love, heroism, and intrigue. Plays, poems, paintings, and sculptures commemorating these tales have survived for centuries. Even as world religions and scientific knowledge have evolved, bringing with them new beliefs and understanding of the world, the ancient Greek tales continue to provide a basic foundation for Western thought and sharp insight to the human psyche. Although these stories took place thousands of years ago, they still impact us today. The personality and characteristics of Zeus can often be seen in tales that modern writers and filmmakers weave. The name Zeus still stands for the ultimate in power and authority, which is why it graces modern companies and their products. A study of the starry night sky reveals constellations named after the twin sons of Zeus. Indeed, if mighty Zeus were to look down at the earth today from his lofty Olympian perch, he may well be pleased at the impact he still has in the modern world.

Ancient Greece was a civilization that still fascinates us today. It was a world of gods and goddesses, of fabulous pageantry and splendor, and of beauty and grace. Even though it existed thousands of years ago, ancient Greece is very much alive for us right now. People still read the story of Odysseus and his long journey home, study Greek society because it was the birthplace of democracy, and even visit Greece itself to walk among the ruins of once-glorious buildings like the Parthenon. What was it like to live in ancient Greece? What was it like to be a boy or girl there? What did they eat? How did they dress? Where did they live? The answers to these questions might surprise you!

The building of the Panama Canal was one of the great engineering feats of the twentieth century. For hundreds of years, mankind had dreamed about cutting through the Isthmus of Panama to build a canal, but the jungle, insects, and the damp, humid conditions had always combined to defeat any and all attempts to construct the waterway. It took the discovery of the mosquito as a disease carrier, the tenacity of the workmen, and the single-minded stubbornness of Theodore Roosevelt to make the canal dream a reality. But if the canal made some men great, it also destroyed the lives of others. That was the sad fate of Count Ferdinand de Lesseps of France, a national hero who had done the impossible by building the Suez Canal, then failed in Panama. The fate of de Lesseps is as much the story of the Panama Canal as is the success of Roosevelt.

Stephen F. Austin is a man few people have heard about. They may know that the Texas state capital of Austin is named after him, but they don t know why. When people think of Texas, it is the Alamo they think of, the doomed battle bravely fought by Crockett, Bowie, Travis, and others, and of the subsequent heroism of Sam Houston and his army at San Jacinto. Austin isn t mentioned in either of those accounts. Yet without Austin there may never have been a Texas. Without this small, frail man from Missouri, the history of Texas would likely be quite different. It was Austin who initially brought colonists into Texas . . . Austin who dealt with the Mexican government to clarify matters that threatened the survival of Americans in Texas . . . and Austin who braved bad weather, starvation, hostile tribes and rebellious settlers to maintain the American presence in Texas. The story of Stephen Austin is the story of Texas.