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“From a small spark kindled in America, a flame has arisen not to be extinguished.” — Thomas Paine

This year on the Fourth of July, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence and its powerful line:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

If you are in need of some fresh historical perspective on our founding, and maybe a bit of a democracy-booster, try perusing these newer books at Smiley Library marking the anniversary.

Bestselling biographer Walter Isaacson describes the heralded statement as America’s mission statement, with the title of his latest work, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.” Within his word-by-word analysis he surmises how the sentence, revolutionary for its time, could, and should, now shape our polarized politics of today. Kirkus Reviews observes that Isaacson’s book is, “A short, smart analysis of perhaps the most famous passage in American history reveal(ing) its potency and unfulfilled promise.”

Historian and legal scholar Edward J. Larson chronicles the events of the year encompassing the document in “Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters.” As the year begins, most colonists show little interest in national independence, but by the end, the need becomes undeniable. In between the introduction early in 1776 of the ideals Thomas Paine puts forth in his pamphlet, “Common Sense,” to the new American army’s hard-won victory at Trenton at year’s end, the Declaration of Independence becomes the standard to which we swear to adhere, though we seemingly are not yet mature enough to embrace all of Paine’s teachings, or to recognize the irony present in the Declaration’s words. It was not yet evident for swaths of colonial populations: indigenous, African, and others, as well as women, that the word, “all,” was a misnomer: all were not yet included in the soon-to-be new American standard of equality.

Fortunately, though, and intentionally, we followed our Declaration with the living, amendable document of our Constitution, allowing for blind spots like these to be righted, and allowing for change without violence. In “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution,” historian Jill Lepore reminds us that for the last 80 years or so the use of the amendment has become slogged. She says we are still adjusting our system, but lately only via judicial decisions that are influenced by a select few elites in government and industry, endangering the civility of our process. She believes the framers expected that “future generations would be forever tinkering with it, hoping to mend America by amending its Constitution through an orderly deliberative and democratic process.”

Finally, the dichotomies move closer together with “The American Revolution: An Intimate History” by Geoffrey C. Ward, in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, who tells our founding story by revealing it not from the top down but from the bottom up–through the eyes of those of ordinary soldiers and underrepresented populations. As Burns puts it, ‘the revolution is often seen “in gallant, bloodless terms,” whereas the achievement of this volume is to be forthright and occasionally critical, but still grand and stirring.’

Here’s to an America of 250 more years always striving toward that more perfect union.

Pride month continues on in full swing! Pride started as a riot, as those who were oppressed rose up to demand the respect and freedoms our constitution promised. Many of those rights and freedoms are still in conflict today. These books help to highlight the path so many had to walk before and also those whose current paths are currently being made.

The Queer Thing About Sin by Harry Tanner tries to answer how we got here in terms of perception and prejudices against those who are part of the LGBTQ community. Beginning in ancient Greece, Tanner looks at a time when it was seemingly acceptable to be queer, as shown through plays and works of art. But as time passes, arguments and prejudices begin to pop up that sound very similar to modern ideas. Tanner suggests that this is not a coincidence, that similar downturns in society leads it to turn on it’s most vulnerable. He shows how philosophical ideas were adopted into religious concepts and how the consequences of that are still being felt today. The work is a great read that gives us not only a perspective on how we got here, but ideas on how to change our path.

Another book that shows how we got here but centers itself on the Black queer community is A Black Queer History of the United States by C. Riley Snorton and Darius Bost. Since the very concept of the United States, we have had residents who do not fall into the binary of male or female. Instead of just adhering pronouns or sexualities, the authors are very cognizant of not labeling individuals of the past with modern day terms or sensibilities. The authors show how many historical contributions from slavery uprisings, to fighting in the civil war, through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement, queer people have played an integral part in the history of the United States. It even highlights that during the Civil Rights Movement, queer people were marginalized because the leaders believed that heteronormativity was the only way to gain equality. Snorton and Bost allow us to see how queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals have always fought for a place at the table, even if they were not the ones who ultimately benefitted from it.

Ace of Hearts: Lessons in Love from an Asexual Girl by Cooklin is a graphic novel in which the main character struggles when society’s norms are counter to who she feels she is as a person. Caitlin looked to discover the formula for happiness, how walking down the prescribed conventional path would automatically lead to comfort and belonging. But that isn’t what happened. Caitlin finds that closeness with another person is wonderful but physical intimacy is not as it was touted. Every step of the way, from Evangelical pastors, to friends, and even college counselors, she never really finds someone who gave a perspective close to how she felt. Throughout her journey and her relationships, she seeks out her own answers on what love means to her.

Enjoy these books and more at your local library! Happy Pride!

–Ciara Lightner is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library who believes the library is for everybody. Just don’t arrive all at once…. limited parking.

True crime is extremely popular! One can find it on TV, podcasts, and streaming services. California has seen its share of true crime (the Golden State Killer or the Night Stalker). Other cases here, and throughout the country may be lesser known—but are just as horrifying. AKSPL has three new titles involving true crime and one older true crime title that will be discussed here.

One of California’s most famous cases is the Black Dahlia. This occurred in the late 1940s in Los Angeles. The victim, Elizabeth Short, was found dismembered in a vacant lot in L.A. But did you know that there was another parallel murder case back in the Midwest? Leila Welsh and Elizabeth Short were very different in upbringing, lifestyle, and lived in different states. Sisters in Death: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and their Hunter by Eli Frankel compares their murder cases and tries to link them to the same suspect. Who is this suspect? You’ll only know if you read the book. To this day neither case is officially closed.

Going from California to Arizona, Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter, by Troy A. Hillman shares the cases of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas. Both women were killed within months of each other. Both had bicycles. Both were killed in comparable circumstances. For years the cases could not be solved until a unique cold-case team of detectives, and a CPA, were able to figure things out. Scariest of all was that the suspect was hiding in plain sight all along.

In Arkansas the Ozarks can be beautiful, but, deadly. Benjamin Hale’s, Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and Reckoning in the Ozarks, shares the story of Haley Zega. She disappeared on a hike and the search for her turned into a huge search and rescue mission. After she was rescued, Haley talked about another girl “Alecia.” Haley’s disappearance and “Alecia” would be eerily associated together though years apart.

For classic true crime, nothing beats author Ann Rule! Her book, Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal, takes place in Georgia. Jenn Corbin and Dolly Hearn were young women living their best lives. Both women were involved with Dr. Bart Corbin and both ended up dead. Was it a coincidence? Ann Rule compares and contrasts both women’s lives and their love for the same man.

For true crime fans, AKSPL has many other books, e-books, and other materials to keep them up at night! Patrons can also use our new app to search for items or to place them on hold. The app can be found in the App stores for both iPhone and Android users.

Allison Peyton is principal librarian for A.K. Smiley Public Library Adult Services.