What inspired you to write this book? There were several motivations for taking on this project. First, regardless of age or generation, I was amazed that the vast majority of people I have come across are concerned with current events but have little understanding of the links between them and what caused them to come about. After a three-decades-plus career in teaching history and government at the secondary level, I felt qualified enough to print a history that I both read, studied, and lived. I can provide insights and perspectives that are no longer emphasized but necessary to contextualize today’s pressing issues. Second, this is my legacy as I pay it forward to future generations, defending the country I love. What good is knowledge if the light is not shone upon it? Lastly, in retirement, I look for new challenges, and this was my most long-term project to date. The production of this book was not easy, with multiple delays, but the early results have been rewarding. I will continue to add historical blogs to my website for as long as possible.
Visit Steve’s Website www.millennialhistory.com
Can you tell me about the book? The book begins with the possible origins of mankind in both the biblical and evolutionary sense. I describe the evolution of man from a swamp organism to what we refer to today as homo-sapiens. I detail the contributions of the ancient cultures before the birth of Jesus and how the human race used those inventions to eventually journey forth from their native lands to worlds unknown across the seven seas. Many conflicts over land eventually resulted in the birth of the 13 English Colonies that fought for their freedom and became the United States of America. The American nation that is and was protected by two oceans became the world’s superpower and the focus of the book.
Of course, the new Republic had to survive a Civil War, two world wars, and a Great Depression. Passing those tests, the nation had to survive the turbulence of the 1960s through the 2000s. I describe the cultural events of those decades as well as the political events that both helped and hindered the growth of America. At the end of the book, I delve into current events that have been given context by detailing the growth and maturation of the American nation.
Above is a summary of the what. Why did I spend two years of my life writing this? Besides the answers in question one, I see America under attack from without, and, more recently and more blatantly, from within. I attempt to describe the opposing forces at odds with each other inside our boundaries. I lay out both sides of the culture war, then let the reader decide what kind of society they want to reside in. I see my role as a reporter and not a partisan. I’ll leave the op-eds to those more well-known. Lastly, I describe the machinations of the CCP(Chinese Communist Party), the biggest self-acknowledged threat to American autonomy.
Visit Steve’s Website www.millennialhistory.com
What did you learn when writing the book? Ronald Reagan was correct. Even though we have the strongest and most emulated country, we truly are but one generation away from losing it all. That is THE MAIN REASON I wrote this book.
What surprised you the most? I was not surprised, but an old adage of the creative process proved to be prescient “1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. “
What does the title mean? Some titles are self-explanatory. The title came to me quickly. The scope of this book covers the many millennia of human history, going back over 5,000 years. The book is for all generations, especially the Millennials, who it seems were cheated out of traditional lore and history and were force-fed mostly a technological education.
Millennial History
Slept through high school history class? Want to learn more about the book cover icons of Harriet Tubman, Chief Joseph, George Washington and others? How about the Russian naval officer who saved the world from nuclear annihilation? If you do, then Millennial History may be for you.
From the dawn of man to the Biden Presidency, the book begins with an abridged version of the contributions of ancient cultures that led to the rise of Europe and the settlement of America.
The emphasis of the book is on the foundations of the American nation rooted in democracy, individual freedoms, sacrifice and a strong work ethic. The latter chapters explore the influence of popular culture and the media on a changing America, both for better and worse. Recent presidencies are detailed and the book ends on an ominous note, identifying the main threats to the survival of a democratic America.
