Garrett Peck Knihy

The narrative delves into the intriguing history of the Seneca Quarry, the red sandstone source for the Smithsonian Castle. It recounts the tumultuous journey of the quarry, marked by financial failures, natural disasters, and a scandal tied to the Grant presidency. The story highlights the lives of the quarry owners and the emancipated slaves who labored there, as well as ongoing efforts to preserve this significant site. Author Garrett Peck weaves together these elements to reveal the rich, yet often overlooked, legacy behind the iconic institution.

The narrative explores Walt Whitman's transformative decade in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War, where he sought his wounded brother and became a dedicated volunteer, visiting countless soldiers. His experiences led to the publication of Drum-Taps, solidifying his role as the Civil War's poet laureate. The book also delves into his life as a federal clerk, his vibrant literary connections, and his significant romantic relationship with Peter Doyle. Author Garrett Peck offers a comprehensive look at this pivotal period in Whitman's life and legacy.

Imagine the jubilation of thirsty citizens in 1796 when the Washington Brewery--the city's first brewery--opened. Yet the English-style ales produced by the early breweries in the capital and in nearby Arlington and Alexandria sat heavy on the tongue in the oppressive Potomac summers. By the 1850s, an influx of German immigrants gave a frosty reprieve to their new home in the form of light but flavorful lagers. Brewer barons like Christian Heurich and Albert Carry dominated the taps of city saloons until production ground to a halt with the dry days of Prohibition. Only Heurich survived, and when the venerable institution closed in 1956, Washington, D.C., was without a brewery for fifty-five years. Author and beer scholar Garrett Peck taps this high-gravity history while introducing readers to the bold new brewers leading the capital's recent craft beer revival.

Learn about the Potomac River and its significant role in American history. The great Potomac River begins in the Alleghenies and flows 383 miles through some of America's most historic lands before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. The course of the river drove the development of the region and the path of a young republic. Maryland's first Catholic settlers came to its banks in 1634 and George Washington helped settle the new capitol on its shores. During the Civil War the river divided North and South, and it witnessed John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry and the bloody Battle of Antietam. Author Garrett Peck leads readers on a journey down the Potomac, from its first fount at Fairfax Stone in West Virginia to its mouth at Point Lookout in Maryland. Combining history with recreation, Peck has written an indispensable guide to the nation's river.

Set against the backdrop of Prohibition in 1929, the narrative explores the vibrant underground culture of Washington, D.C., where bootleggers supplied an astounding twenty-two thousand gallons of illicit spirits weekly to numerous speakeasies. This era, described by H.L. Mencken as the "thirteen awful years," reveals the complexities of American society during a time of strict alcohol bans, highlighting both the defiance of the populace and the impact of such laws on everyday life.