After the Second World War ended in 1945, Britain and France still controlled the world’s two largest colonial empires, even after the destruction of the war. Their imperial territories extended over four continents. And what’s more, both countries seemed to be absolutely determined to hold on their empires; the roll-call of British and French politicians, soldiers, settlers, and writers who promised to defend their colonial possessions at all costs is a long one. But despite that, within just twenty years, both empires had vanished.
In the two videos below Martin Thomas, author of Fight or Flight: Britain, France, and their Roads from Empire, discusses the disintegration of the British and French empires. He emphasizes the need to examine the process of decolonization from a global perspective, and discusses how the processes of decolonization dominated the 20th century. He also compares and contrasts the case of India and Vietnam as key territories of the British and French Empires.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Martin Thomas is Professor of Imperial History in the Department of History at the University of Exeter, where he has taught since 2003. He founded the University’s Centre for the Study of War, State and Society, which supports research into the impact of armed conflict on societies and communities. He is a past winner of a Philip Leverhulme prize for outstanding research and a holder of a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship. He has published widely on twentieth century French and imperial history, and his new book is Fight or Flight: Britain, France, and their Roads from Empire.
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Nordhielm Wooldridge, Connie. (2011) Just Fine the Way They Are: From Dirt Roads to Rail Roads to Interstates. Honesdale, PA: Calkins Creek of Boyds Mill Press. ISBN 978-1-59078-710-6. (26 pgs) Author recommends grades 4-6; Litland adds excellent for younger advanced readers.
Publisher’s Description: Change. Who needs it? We do! Mr. John Slack, the keeper of a tavern beside a rutted dirt road in the early 1800s, thought things were just fine the way they were. So did Lucius Stockton who ran the National Road Stage Company in the mid 1800s. So too, did the owners of the railroads when the first model T appeared in 1908. Yet with each new innovation, Americans were able to move around the country more quickly, efficiently, and comfortably. Connie Woolbridge offers an informative, yet light-hearted look at how the dirt roads of the early 1800s evolved into the present-day U.S. highway system. Richard Walz’s gorgeous paintings capture both the broad sweep and the individual impact of change and progress.
Our thoughts:
What a great overview of American history focused on transportation! Told in a folky style, the narrator’s storytelling voice reminds us of sitting on the front porch and listening to elders of the family recount the same stories over and over again. And even though we already knew the story, we enjoyed hearing it once more. Only for 8-11 year olds, these stories will be new :>)
Just Fine the Way They Are has lots of potential uses:
* reluctant readers, particularly boys, will find an easy and entertaining style holding their attention.
* a discussion tool for talking about feelings or conflict, making it great for family book clubs or class discussions.
* illustrations are brilliantly eye-catching—I was sitting in a diner reading this, and the waitress walked over saying “What a cute book!”. As such, it would surely keep the students’ attention if read to the class, whether reading to a traditional classroom or homeschool kids around the dining table.
* While intended for 4th, 5th & 6th grades, it also would be great for accelerated students writing their first book report.
An added touch: it comes complete with a historic timeline, bibliography, and list of relevant websites. Plus the author (a former elementary school librarian) has lesson plans on her website too (see http://conniewooldridge.com/ )! This is one of those unique books that provide diversity on the bookshelf, catching the eye of the reader looking for something a bit different, and being enjoyed many times over :>) Pick up a copy at our Litland.com Bookstore!
This is Biking Week from May 21 to the 28th. There are at least ten reasons to dust off your bike and take it for a spin.
1. There’s nothing like fresh air blowing in your face and sunshine in your eyes to make you feel young and alive, as you pump away. Let’s hope your bike is oiled up and you’re wearing a helmet.
2. Biking for awhile will give your body a workout. Make sure you carry some bottled water, and refresh yourself along the way. Afterwards, you will be ready for a shower and your laptop, or a meal at an inn with your friends. The rushing blood in your head will make you a gifted writer or talker.
3. You can save on gas if you can bike to work or the nearby store. Biking communities enjoy better health and less traffic accidents.
4. Biking is healthy; it reduces obesity.
5. Biking is fun. It’s one thing to hop on a stationary bike and go nowhere, and it’s another to feel the wind in your hair and feel like a kid again.
6. Biking makes the roads safer because drivers have to slow down when they see bikers and be more careful. With slower cars, there is less chance of accidents.
7. Biking brings people back to nature to find trails and follow Rochester’s Erie Canal on bikes. There are wonderful trails in and around Rochester.
8. Biking is good for the economic community. It encourages trail building, parks, and inns. It increases tourism and possible job opportunities.
0 Comments on 10 Reasons to Enjoy Bike Week as of 1/1/1900
For those who spend a lot of times on the road, watch out for these strange and funny road signs. This signs can make you share a smile or get you in a serious rage.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andryone/120278573/
Wifey: There’s something wrong with that sign?
Hubby: No need to panic dear, I’m a leftie, so I’m not easily rattled by this tricky sign.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/celebdu/291322346/
Wifey: Careful dear and be sure to shift to a lower gear, unexpected road ahead.
Hubby: Keep cool love, its but normal for drivers to “expect the unexpected.”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31332178@N02/3558765359/
Wifey: Is he waiving his hands?
Hubby: Nope! He’s just telling you to shut up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rileyroxx/224646430/
Wifey: The spelling is wrong…
Hubby: That’s the result of limited education budget.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobblucas/3254137914/
Wifey: Oh my Gosh! I don’t want to die yet.
Hubby: Don’t you worry dear, there’s a hospital, a church and a cemetery right after we crossed the sign.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilymills/3586292198/
Wifey: Poor town, nobody bothered to give it a name.
Hubby: That’s great, we have discovered a land and will call it Bonie and Clyde town.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Road_Sign_Penguins_Crossing_NZ.jpg
Wifey: Are we in Antartica?
Hubby: No wonder dear that you get a “C” grade in Biology.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Auction_mart_sign.jpg
Wifey: Go straight ahead!
Hubby: Sure, but I’ll drop you by at the intersection, so you can take the left road and have the time to visit your friends.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Noparking-parkway.jpg
Wifey! I can’t see no parkway.
Hubby: Look at the sky. it’s a bird, its a plane, no its a parkway.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xq311z/2468778959/
Wifey: What’s the sign indicates?
Hubby: there’s an amusement park ahead and they’re promoting the “roller coaster” ride.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xq311z/2468769929/
Wifey: I thought, we only have to fasten our seatbelt, now they’re ordering us to wear helmets.
Hubby: Oh dear, we’re lost, this is not the way to Alabama, Its the Tour de France!
http://eightsolid.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/41.jpg
Wifey: The sign says, No left and right turn, you mean to say we have to drive straight ahead and ramped that green house.
Hubby: Shut up dear, no problem, today is Saturday.
http://eightsolid.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/8.jpg
Wifey: Which way would we take?
Hubby: I guess it would be thrilling, if we take the slippery road.
http://eightsolid.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/which-way-can-i-go.jpg
Wifey: I told you to take the Inter-state highway. Now we’re in for a big headache.
Hubby: Don’t you worry dear, I saw no police officer so we can take whichever way we like.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rileyroxx/151985627/
Wifey: Oh! that was a cute road sign.
Hubby: It would be nicer, if the old lady is the one guiding the old man..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dobrych/3038370930/
Wifey: See, the authorities are really concern with the pedestrian and motorists safety. This where our taxes go.
Hubby: Are they not digging for golds?
Needs Pain Pills
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bewareofdog/102196992/
Wifey: That’s a noble way to seek a lost dog.
Hubby: I agree, dog is man’s best friend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foraggio/386013177/
Wifey: Another of those mispelled words.
Hubby: No dear, you got it wrong, the arrow is pointing the right way..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/3289451389/
Wifey: Is it okay dear, if we chip-in ten dollars for the foods.
Hubby: Just be sure to get a receipt!
