“History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region would make a wonderful film. Chris Carosa provides us with both detailed descriptions and broad overviews, helping the reader conjure up each scene as if they were actually present.”
– Chuck Schwam, Executive Director, American Friends of Lafayette
“History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York has proven to be an invaluable resource for me as I develop plans to help local communities commemorate, recreate and celebrate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit in 2024-2025. Chris Carosa writes in great detail about Lafayette’s adventures using information that is well researched and documented, as he makes learning about early American history, and the remarkable Lafayette, enjoyable. Reading History Unleashed will deepen your appreciation for our country, and Lafayette’s contributions to our country and its unique history.”
– Catherine Blind, Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Chair, Monroe and Ontario Counties and Registrar, Irondequoit Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
“In History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region, Christopher Carosa revives a forgotten episode in western New York’s storied past. Writing in an animated style, Carosa takes us along on Lafayette’s journey from Westfield to Auburn, introducing us to people and places as they were in 1825. The excitement felt by regional residents in meeting this famous hero of the American Revolution is palpable.”
– Robert Emerson, Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara
“The historian spends many hours seeking out knowledge of the past in all sorts of dusty books and now computer screens of all shades of brightness. While such an endeavor may not seem like a heroic effort, the historian is the unsung hero of society, for it is through their very effort that the historian reminds society what it is to be heroic. They do this through painstakingly researching and then telling the story of real heroes living heroic lives. That said, there are few who have lived a more heroic life than Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, better know as Marquis de Lafayette. Even today, this important man’s life has things to teach us and ideals to strive for. In History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region, Christopher Carosa has gone down this road to remind us who our Masonic Brother Marquis de Lafayette was, and how he touched Western New York nearly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, reminding us all who we are as nation and why his generation were heroes.”
– Brother Lee Justo, Lafayette Project Coordinator, Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of New York State and Master of Huguenot Lodge No. 46 (which has a direct connection to Lafayette)
“History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Regionis not the first book regarding Lafayette’s journey, but it certainly is unique in its approach! Chris Carosa’s research is thorough and exemplary. This reference will undoubtedly prove to be seminal!”
– Michael A Miller, Historian – Auburn Lodge #124
“Chris has brought to light the joy and excitement of life in not only the young American nation but in our small towns and villages in 1825. To have seen the Marquis de LaFayette in person, a celebrated hero of the American Revolution who served under General George Washington, would have been an experience of a lifetime! Chris reminds us that we all should cherish and protect our town’s history for generations to come. It is wonderful to know that LaFayette first entered NYS in Ripley!!!”
– Dr. John P. Hamels, Town Historian, Town of Ripley, New York
“History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region is a masterpiece in research and presentation. Chris brings in not only the history but the relatability especially to specific local families involved in the American Revolution. Many of these same families were touched by Lafayette’s presence with his return 1824-1825 and will again be present for the Bicentennial in 2024-2025. I did have relatives in Dunkirk and Fredonia when Lafayette visited in 1825, so I was thrilled with the mention of Olive Risley Seward. Thank-you for this timely publication.”
– Gail Pugh Dash, Co-chair for the Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Chautauqua County, NY; Jamestown Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Charter Member of the Celea Sampson Cole Daughters of 1812, Chautauqua County Genealogical Society
“In History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region, Chris Carosa brings together a winning combination of comprehensive research, engaging storytelling, and fascinating details about General Lafayette and his fast-paced journey through New York State in June 1825. Chris skillfully helps the past come to life and makes it relatable for today’s audience. It is exciting to connect with General Lafayette and the citizens of Greater Western New York through these pages as we commemorate the bicentennial of this unique chapter in American history.”
– Patrice Birner, Honorary New York State Regent, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
“History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Regionhis book traces the historical and geographical contours of Lafayette’s grand tour over the roads and canals of Western New York in 1825. By examining both the precise route and the meticulous preparations made by the towns and cities responsible for welcoming the “Nation’s Guest,” Carosa offers an invaluable survey of the region’s rich history, while skillfully sifting through documented accounts to separate fact from the legends and myths that have emerged over the past two centuries.”
– Maxwell Walters, Curator of Collections, Darwin R. Barker Museum, Fredonia, NY
“Chris Carosa has masterfully described the story of Marquis de Layfette’s farewell tour of Western New York. My middle schoolers are able to independently read this narrative and connect with fascinating local history that is seldom retold in textbooks. This work is also the foundation of a larger research project where students further explore the culture, community, and events of Western New York, shared in the book, developing essential reading, writing, and presentation skills. I highly recommend this book for all social studies teachers who would like to complement their curriculum.”
– Jason Steinagle, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Hamburg, NY
“Often history books can be dull, boring and long-winded: this is not the case with Christopher Carosa’s History Unleashed: General Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of greater Western New York. The insightful narrative told in a conversation manner, is well documented, thorough, readable and very satisfying.”
– Catherine L. Emerson, Niagara County Historian
“Chris Carosa has produced a fascinating and insightful history of the passage of a Revolutionary War hero through Western New York! Lafayette’s 1825 journey shares an exciting moment in our history and lets the reader glimpse our budding American culture of 200 years ago. Kudos to the author for saving an almost forgotten tale and rescuing a hero from the shadows!”
– Leif R. HerrGessell and Author, Canandaigua, NY