BOOK NOOK REVIEW

Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America

August 6, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.

By Jill Williams

This book is primarily telling the story of how the Scots-Irish people have overcome so much in their lineage, and to bring attention to how much good they have done for our country. We may not realize it without it being brought to our attention, but the Scots-Irish families, including the author's, have played a large role in the shaping of our nation, our politics, and our leaders. The author is proud of his ancestry, and describes a hard-working, stubborn, fierce fighting people who don't bend to higher authority.

From the very beginning, the Scots-Irish people were forged in conflict. The Romans built Hadrian's Wall to contain them, and the Romans repeatedly attempted to beat them into submission, without success. Remember the movie "Braveheart?" William Wallace was the heart and soul of the Scots, and a legend for leading his people. When the Scots immigrated to Ireland, they weren't given meal tickets there, either, and eventually many made their way to America and began to pioneer the Appalachians.

Even in early America, the Scots-Irish people had hard times. However difficult they might be for governments to control, they were the families who enlisted to fight whenever needed, and fought fiercely. The Scots-Irish are the hard-working blue-collar families that make up the Bible belt and beyond.

Our country has been lead by some Scots-Irish leaders, as well. The author tells of Presidents Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan to name a few. The Scots-Irish have also given us leaders such as Lewis and Clark, and Daniel Boone. The author also credits the Scots-Irish with giving us Mark Twain, Stonewall Jackson, and Edgar Allan Poe.

When a family's history is handed down by telling tales of their ancestors, it becomes important to preserve that history before it is forgotten. The tales of the Scots-Irish people HAVE been forgotten, and their contributions to our society largely unrecognized. For these reasons, and for pride in his heritage, the author has written this book to remind us of how great our nation is, and what part the Scots-Irish have in shaping it.

The author has written many other books, has traveled extensively, holds political office, was one of the most decorated marines in the Vietnam War, and has a website professing his goals in public office. The website is appropriately named: bornfighting.com.

If you are interested in the history and struggles (and successes) of the Scots-Irish people, you will be enthralled by this book. The author has pride in his lineage, and warmth for the people described herein. If you are not terribly interested in history, you might still find value in the stories of the trials and tribulations of the author's family.

Jill does laundry for a 7 year old who thinks he's too old for toys, a 5 year old gymnast, a 5 year old niece who has joined the family, and a 3 year old computer whiz. She also occasionally irons her husband's suits. In between loads, Jill loves to read.