War of Northern Aggression / War Against the Constitution — Reading List

This class will be geared towards telling the untold story of the War Against the Constitution. The class will elide past the motif of war that the victors get to write the history. One can find that “history” everywhere. The goal in this class is oriented to give you the whole story of the War of Northern Aggression. I am providing a long list of books. We will not be able to get to all of these but now you will have this list in case you ever want to go diving for yourself. We will be using the books that have an asterisk next to them. This does not necessarily mean they are the best books, though they sometimes will be. It means they are the books that will fit into our time frame most easily. Shelby Foote’s III volume series, for example, is elegantly written and is a living book but, alas, we can not fit Foote’s III volume into this course. Still, I would encourage all to turn the TV off and read Shelby Foote.

There are countless books on this huge subject. These are some of the ones I have read. My hope is this will wet the appetite of both children and parents to desire to continue on in their learning regardless of their age.
I would say that he who gets the history of the War Against the Constitution wrong will get very little else right about US History. It is an important subject.

Keep in mind that the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) could be a whole separate semester class with a reading list every bit as long and controversial as this one. You really can not tell the story of the War Against the Constitution without telling the story of Yankee Reconstruction.

Keep in mind that learning never ends.

(1.) Shelby Foote — The Civil War: A Narrative (III Volume set)
(2.) * R. G. B. Horton — A Youth’s History of the Great Civil War in the United States From 1861-1865
(3) Alexander Stephens — A Constitutional View of the Late War Between the States (II Volumes)
(4) Edgar Lee Masters — Lincoln the Man (Free Audio on Amazon)
(5) * Webb Garrison: Lincoln’s Little War; How His Carefully Laid Plan Went Astray
(6) * Thomas J. DiLorenzo — The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War
(7) * Thomas J. DiLorenzo — Lincoln Unmasked
(😎 * Walter D. Kennedy — Myths of American Slavery
(9) * Understanding the War Between the States; A Supplemental book by 16 writers that Enable A More Complete and Truthful Study of American History (Middle School, High School, College, and Beyond)

(10) *Ludwell H. Johnson — North Against South; The American Iliad 1848-1877
(11) * John S. Tilley — Facts The Historians Leave Out: A Confederate Primer
(12) Otto Scott — The Secret Six
(13) *Mildred Lewis Rutherford — Truths of History
(14)* Walter Brian Cisco — War Crimes Against Southern Civilians
(15) James Ronald Kennedy & Walter Donald Kennedy; “The South Was Right”
(16) Al Benson — Lincoln’s Marxists
(17) Jeffrey Manber & Neil Dahlstrom — Lincoln’s Wrath: Fierce Mobs, Brilliant Scoundrels and a President’s Mission to Destroy the Press
(18) Avery Craven — The Coming of the Civil War
(19) Thomas & Debra Goodrich — The Day Dixie Died
(20) Howell Cobb — A Scriptural Examination of the Institution of Slavery in the United States
(21) Anne Farrow, Joel Lang, Jennifer Frank — Complicity; How the North Promoted, Prolonged, and Profited from Slavery
(22) Jennifer L. Weber — Copperheads; The Rise & Fall of Lincoln’s Opponents in the North
(23) C. C. Goen — Broken Churches, Broken Nation
(24) Lyon Gardiner Tyler — John Tyler & Abraham Lincoln; Who was the Dwarf?
(25) Jefferson Davis — The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government (II Volumes)

College Course on WW II

Main Texts

1.) Antony Sutton

https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Bolshevik-Revolution-Capitalists/dp/190557035X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498050275&sr=1-1&keywords=Antony+sutton

https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Hitler-Antony-Sutton/dp/0945001533/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0945001533&pd_rd_r=QYX4FMFM9QTKSHX9CTDB&pd_rd_w=1Gquj&pd_rd_wg=UpANU&psc=1&refRID=QYX4FMFM9QTKSHX9CTDB

Read these two texts. Why do you think I would make these required reading on this subject. Who do you think this points towards in terms of having a financial interest in the War. What does it suggest that the same entities funded both sides of the war? Write a paper detailing the financial origins and funding of WW II and the players behind the funding.

2.) Hebert Hoover

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Betrayed-Herbert-Hoovers-Aftermath/dp/0817912347/ref=pd_sim_14_29?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0817912347&pd_rd_r=M57ZY8KDWYA3BFEPJ0XX&pd_rd_w=wDuQF&pd_rd_wg=Z68XE&psc=1&refRID=M57ZY8KDWYA3BFEPJ0XX

Read this text. How responsible does Hoover believe FDR was for WW II? Write a paper exhausting the failures of FDR in keeping the USA out of war. Include in your paper the policies FDR pursued the inevitable inspired war. Answer the questions … “Did FDR know the Japs were coming to Pearl Harbor?” Did FDR want the Japs to bomb Pearl Harbor?” “What convinced the Japs to go after Pearl Harbor as opposed to Russia?”

3.) Thomas Mahl

https://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Deception-Operations-Brasseys-Intelligence/dp/1574880802/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498049961&sr=1-1&keywords=Desperate+deception

Propaganda is always the first battlefield in war and Truth is always the first casualty of war. Summarize Mahl’s arguments on how the Brits, in conjunction with the White House, lied us into WW II.

II.) Supplementary Texts

1.) Vikto Suvorov

https://www.amazon.com/Chief-Culprit-Stalins-Grand-Design/dp/1591148065/ref=pd_sim_14_50?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1591148065&pd_rd_r=W9Z3DYK70YB4VM9G30ND&pd_rd_w=dqjHh&pd_rd_wg=2GBOu&psc=1&refRID=W9Z3DYK70YB4VM9G30ND

On the Easter Front Suvorov argues that Hitler struck Stalin because he knew that Stalin was going to strike him.

Give a chapter by chapter summary of Suvorov’s arguments.

2.) Pat Buchanan

https://www.amazon.com/Churchill-Hitler-Unnecessary-War-Britain/dp/030740515X/ref=pd_sim_14_17?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=030740515X&pd_rd_r=XAH1X54H5K70JPX4H95X&pd_rd_w=v19Fl&pd_rd_wg=KOKvV&psc=1&refRID=XAH1X54H5K70JPX4H95X

Covers some of the same ground as Hoover’s book. Repetition bears memory. Give a chapter by chapter summary of the book. One paper for each chapter.

3.) M. Stanton Evans

https://www.amazon.com/Stalins-Secret-Agents-Subversion-Roosevelts/dp/1439147701/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498050012&sr=1-4&keywords=M.+Stanton+evans

Evans chronicles that the Communists were running not only the Soviet Russian end of the war but were also severely manipulating our end of the war as well.

Be prepared for an oral exam on this book.

4,) Burton Folsom

https://www.amazon.com/FDR-Goes-War-Executive-Restricted/dp/1439183201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498053173&sr=8-1&keywords=Burton+folsom

How did these united States change because of WW II? Folsom examines the myth behind WW II getting us out of the Depression. Write a 3 page summary on each chapter.

4.) David Irving — Volumes 1 & 2

https://www.amazon.com/Churchills-War-David-Irving/dp/0380763141/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498050062&sr=1-2&keywords=churchill%27s+war+david+irving

Give a 45 minute presentation to the class on what you learned about Churchill and WW II because of this read.

5.) James Bacque

https://www.amazon.com/Other-Losses-Investigation-Prisoners-Americans/dp/0889226652/ref=pd_sim_14_10?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0889226652&pd_rd_r=4D46S2TR5S4FPWB88PQS&pd_rd_w=Lrq0w&pd_rd_wg=n0wbh&psc=1&refRID=4D46S2TR5S4FPWB88PQS

6.) Julius Epstein

https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Keelhaul-Forced-Repatriation-Present/dp/0815964072/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498050379&sr=1-1&keywords=operation+keelhaul

7.) Nikolai Tolstoy

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Betrayal-Nikolai-Tolstoy/dp/0684156350/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0684156350&pd_rd_r=45GDAM95X529MJ27AVWX&pd_rd_w=PL10s&pd_rd_wg=lmPPA&psc=1&refRID=45GDAM95X529MJ27AVWX

These three books tell of the brutality of the Allies during WW II and go a long way towards addressing the question, of whether or not in WW II, it was possible to be on the side of the angels. 3-5 page summaries of each chapter of each book.

8.)  Cornelius Ryan

https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Too-Far-Classic-Greatest/dp/0684803305/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498050657&sr=1-8&keywords=Operation+Market+garden

No report required. Assigned to give you a feel for the combat.

9.) A Third of the Holocaust

The longest lasting effect of WW II was the impact of the “Holocaust” on the West.  Is it possible to answer the questions raised by this documentary?

10.) Operation Hell Storm

Watch

Class discussions on the last two videos.

Propaganda … A College Course

Main Texts

1.) Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes — Jacques Ellul

http://www.amazon.com/Propaganda-The-Formation-Mens-Attitudes/dp/0394718747/ref=pd_sim_14_32?ie=UTF8&dpID=417YlDRfqUL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR93%2C160_&refRID=14ZH0NAB2ZC7KY68Y96C

2.)  The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America — Daniel Boorstin

http://www.amazon.com/Image-Guide-Pseudo-Events-America/dp/0679741801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458140754&sr=8-1&keywords=Daniel+Boorstin+image

Required Texts

1.)  The Father of Spin – Larry Tye

Intent — Biography of one of the most influential Propagandist in the 20th century

http://www.amazon.com/Father-Spin-Edward-Bernays-Relations/dp/0805067892/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458143784&sr=1-1&keywords=Father+of+spin

2.) Propaganda — Edward Bernays

Intent — The technique and “how to” of how Bernays did Propaganda

http://www.amazon.com/Propaganda-Edward-Bernays/dp/0970312598/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&dpID=51P65kY5kAL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR102%2C160_&refRID=01DZMMG01QW2S39NM69T

3.) The Crowd — Gustav LaBon

Intent — How the public mind works in the context of large gatherings. How propaganda can manipulate the public mind in the context of large gatherings.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Crowd-Study-Popular-Mind/dp/0486419568/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z80KH2S9C3GBRACXJDX

4.) Rules For Radical — Saul Alinsky

Intent — Alinsky’s propaganda methodology in order to manipulate Organizations and Public Opinion of Organizations. Community Organization 101.

http://www.amazon.com/Rules-Radicals-Practical-Primer-Realistic/dp/0679721134/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141021&sr=1-1&keywords=rules+for+radicals

5.) Confrontational Politics — H. L. Richardson

Intent — “How to” book on how to use propaganda in confrontational settings. Gives tips on how to organize with propaganda.

http://www.amazon.com/Confrontational-Politics-Senator-H-L-Richardson/dp/0915463768

6.) The News Twisters — Edith Efron

Intent — Demonstrates the subtle presence and success of Propaganda by the Mainstream media upon the American voting public. Dated book. Still highly relevant.

http://www.amazon.com/news-twisters-Edith-Efron/dp/0840212062/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141353&sr=1-4&keywords=edith+efron

7.) Why Johnny Can’t Think — Robert Whitaker

Intent — Demonstrates the bias and propaganda in the University system. Insists that every message received must be received by examining the presuppositions of the person or vehicle sending the message. Begins to give a outline on how to be immune to Propaganda.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Cant-Think-Robert-Whitaker/dp/0972929207/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141805&sr=1-1&keywords=Why+Johnny+Can%27t+think

8.) Amusing Ourselves To Death

Intent — Reveals that Americans are a Propagandized people and explains how Television is a propaganda machine. Television makes people immune to Truth and creates a society that requires a constant diet of propaganda.

http://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-Death-Discourse-Business/dp/014303653X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458144103&sr=1-1&keywords=amusing+ourselves+to+death

9.) The Medium is the Massage — Marshal McLuhan

Intent — How the vehicle of the Message affects the Message sent. Propaganda, to be effective, has to be married to the right vehicle.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Medium-Massage-Marshall-McLuhan/dp/1584230703/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51y9DtmSKWL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR92%2C160_&refRID=048PEYTMZ68F9KGW16J1

Note — See the course curriculum offered on Worldview Thinking and Presuppositionalism to provide the answer how one immunizes themselves to propaganda. This course will make you aware of Propaganda but it will not by itself make you immune to Propaganda.

Required Video

1.) The Century of the Self

Intent — 4 hour video that demonstrates the vast and deep role of propaganda in the 20th century. Should be viewed at least twice.

 

Basic Weekly Assignments:

Unlike previous courses this course insists on the importance of each and every book and the video for a complete understanding of Propaganda. As such each and every book requires Chapter summaries.

A final 30 page paper is required that explains what Propaganda is, how it works, the relation it bears to truth, if any. The paper will also require a demonstration and brief explanation of the techniques of successful Propaganda.

 

Seminary Course — Justification; The Article by which the Church Stands of Falls

Main Texts

1.) The Doctrine of Justification by Faith — John Owen
2.) The Doctrine of Justification — James Buchanan
3.) Justification — Francis Turretin (Author), Jr. James T. Dennison (Editor), George Musgrave Giger (Translator)

Assignment — Read the main texts. Write a 25 page paper explaining and defending the Biblical Doctrine of Justification by faith alone.

Supplemental Texts

1.) Romans: Atonement and Justification: An Exposition of Chapters 3:20 – 4:25 — Martyn Lloyd Jones
2.) Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification — R. C. Sproul
3.) Justification by Faith Alone — Jonathan Edwards
4.) http://www.the-highway.com/antidote_Calvin.html
5.) The Current Justification Controversy — O. Palmer Robertson
6.) By Faith Alone: Answering the Challenges to the Doctrine of Justification — Guy Waters (Editor)
7.) Justification Reconsidered: Rethinking A Pauline Theme — Stephen Westerholm

Assignments

1.) Go online and find a rabid Roman Catholic and get into a debate on Justification
2.) Go online and find a rabid Federal Vision proponent and get into a debate on Justification
3.) Write a 10 page paper on the Controversies surrounding Justification (Books 5-7)

Audio

1.) What Still Divides Us?
A Protestant & Roman Catholic Debate : Are the Scriptures Sufficient? Are We Justified By Faith Alone?

Assignment — Listen to the debate section on Justification

The Opposition

1.) The Federal Vision — Steve Wilkins (Editor) — pages 151-262
2.) Council of Trent — Look up Cannon’s 9, 12, 14, 23, 24, 30, 33

Assignments

1.) 4 page paper on each of the three Chapters in the Wilkins book refuting Federal Vision errant versions of Justification

2.) Refute the Council of Trent Canons

3.) 5 page paper locating the harmonies you see between Trent and Federal Vision

12 Books Recommended for the Newer Reformed Christian or High School Curriculum

Purpose — To root and ground the reader in the fundamentals of Biblical Christianity.  It is hoped that by absorbing the material of this course the result will be a Christian who is set upon Christianity as the life of the mind.

Goal — upon completion of the course the student will begin to understand that Christianity and the Christian faith is one wherein one finds their complete identity.

1.) By What Standard? — R. J. Rushdoony (Epistemology)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries.
b.) Upon completion a 4 page page paper on the importance of Epistemology.

2.) Understanding and Applying the Bible — J. Robertson McQuilkin (Hermeneutics)

a.) 1 typed page (200 words) chapter summaries
b.) Upon completion a 4 page page paper explaining basic hermeneutics and the importance of hermeneutics for reading the Scriptures aright.

3.) Knowing God — J. I. Packer (Theology Proper)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper on the Attributes of God

4.) O. Palmer Robertson — The Christ of the Covenants (Covenant Theology)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper giving an overview of covenant theology

5.) Putting Amazing back into Grace — Michael Horton (Basic Reformed Theology)

The author of this book ^ is R2K. I most certainly do not recommend anything he writes touching his theological dualism. Still, having said that I still think this book a good primer on Reformed theology.

a.)  1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper on the graciousness of Grace. Make sure to include a section explaining how in Reformed Theology when it comes to salvation “God does all the doing.”

6.) A Summary of Christian Doctrine — Louis Berkhof (Systematic Theology)

a.) 1 typed pages chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper delineating why these doctrines are necessary for the Christian life

7.) When the Time Had Fully Come: Studies in New Testament Theology — Herman Ridderbos (Biblical Theology)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper explaining the Reformed “Now, Not yet.”

8.) The Cross of Christ — John Stott (Soteriology)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 paged paper setting forth a basic understanding of the centrality of the Cross Work of Jesus Christ

9.) Holy Spirit — John Owen /abridged version (Pneumatology)

a.)1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer

10.) Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God — J. I. Packer (Evangelism)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 page paper explaining why Reformed folks are evangelistically minded

11.) The Pursuit of Holiness — Jerry Bridges (Sanctification)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 typed page paper explaining the different nuances of Holiness and why it is necessary for the Christian life.

12.) The Basic Ideas of Calvinism — H. Henry Meeter (Holistic Calvinism)

a.) 1 typed page chapter summaries
b.) 4 typed pages that demonstrate that you understand that Christianity is a religion that is totalistic in its claims over every area of life.

— Warning on this book; Ignore Meeter’s “insights” on Economics

This list could be used in a High School curriculum for covenant children in Christian families.