Belatedly I realize that it's been a while since I updated my Appendix N for Treasure Hunter Adventures. This post is the first part of an effort to remedy that situation, starting with the books that were important to my two most recent projects, "Artifacts & Enigmas of the American Revolution" and "The Lost Ship."
Here's the link to earlier entries.
Appendix N for Treasure Hunter Adventures
-Nate
Title: The Queen's Conjurer: The Science and Magic of Dr. John Dee, Advisor to Queen Elizabeth I
Author: Benjamin Woolley
Publisher and Date: Holt Paperbacks, 2002
Overview:
I've long been intrigued by the many influential figures in the orbit of Queen Elizabeth I, including William Shakespeare, Francis Drake, and others. This book delves into the story of Dr. John Dee, a mathematician and cartographer—and, some would say, diviner and magician. It covers his rise to power, a long and questionable partnership with Edward Kelley, and then his fall from grace, all of which provides fodder for adventure ideas.
Title: The Society for Useful Knowledge: How Benjamin Franklin and Friends Brought the Enlightenment to America
Author: Jonathan Lyons
Publisher and Date: Bloomsbury Press, 2014
Overview:
Here's an example of digging into more specific topics related to the Revolutionary War. I was intrigued by figures such as Benjamin Franklin and David Rittenhouse, and this book digs more deeply into their stories—not just the roles they played in the war, but their scientific endeavors. This was the basis, of course, for the Children of Liberty.
Title: Angel in the Whirlwind: The Triumph of the American Revolution
Author: Benson Bobrick
Publisher and Date: Penguin Books, 1998
Overview:
This is an excellent overview of the American Revolutionary War, covering the causes that led to it, all of the major battles and other developments, and even a little bit of the aftermath. It presents the story in a succinct and engaging way, and one can easily dig more deeply into specific topics.
