Editorial Review

An award-winning biography of Martin Luther King Jr., a history of the civil rights movement, and a portrait of an era, Taylor Branch's Read more

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Reviews (32)

The origins of a revolution
This is the first of a trilogy of books on the civil rights struggle in the USA as centered around the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior. Covering the 1950s and early 1960s, this book lays the groundwork for many of the pivotal events that would take the civil rights movement onto the international stage and eventually legend. All the key characters of this movement would enter the stage of history here... Bayard Rustin, the gay, pacifist communist, would play a key role in organizing the March on D.C. LBJ, the master of the Senate, and then vice president would come to realize the need of the Civil Rights Act, as segregation was intertwined with poverty and to defeat one, he needed to defeat the other. Malcolm X would rise in the Nation of Islam, paving a path to glory and his eventual death. And the central character that bound them together; the Reverend Dr. King himself, would change history by trying to tie together the lunch counter sit-ins, freedom rides, marches, and legal debates into one cogent movement.
A Great one, very very good.
This more than fills in some blanks. Number one book on civil rights, more than a must read.

If I could only recommend one book, this would be it
This book provides incomparable insight into the bowels of the early civil rights movement.While most accounts are only superficial, focusinging only on the "significant" events, Branch takes his readers into the heart of the storm to show how intricate political pressures, ideologies, spiritual upliftings, violence, non-violence, press coverage, rivalaries, and extroardinary courage entangled to "lift a despised minority from oblivion."
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - History    3. Afro-Americans    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. Audiobooks    6. Civil rights    7. Civil rights movements    8. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    9. History    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century/50s    12. United States - 20th Century/60s    13. History / General   

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Civil War, 1861-1865    4. History    5. Non-Classifiable    6. Sources    7. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    8. United States   

Subjects:  1. Audio - Humor    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Comedy programs    4. General    5. History    6. Humor    7. Specimens    8. Talking books    9. United States   

Editorial Review

The full horror as the mighty Read more

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Reviews (185)

Great story for Entrepreneurs
This is a great story and one that illustrates the determination and innovative mind required to succeed as an entrepreneur. I recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a dream, starting a business or seeking to find their pot of gold.

Best Shipwreck Book Ever!
I couldn't put it down.The story of BOTH the tragedy of the shipwreck AND the search and salvage operation make this an amazingly interesting read. Don't miss it!

Great Book, with a nagging flaw
This book contains two stories: one of the sinking of a ship laden with gold; the other of its recovery many years later in a different era. It is well written and is all the good things that other reviewers have said. Yet for me there was a growing feeling of discomfort that I could not quite identify at first--a distraction that came close to ruining the second story.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Archaeology    3. Audio - Nonfiction    4. Maritime History    5. North Atlantic Ocean    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Shipwrecks    7. Shipwrecks    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Treasure-trove    11. Underwater archaeology    12. History / General   

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Enjoyable read

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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Audio - Nonfiction    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Historical - General    6. History    7. History: World    8. Huns    9. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography   

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Reviews (51)

Well-written, so one can focus on the controversy!
Bruce's book is well-written and describes the geological processes involved in a clear and simple fashion. One-sided and questionable research methods
I was on Galeras volcano 10 years ago when it erupted. Like most of the other volcanologists at the Pasto, Colombia meeting to study Galeras I did not go into the crater, but was looking at deposits on the outer flanks when the eruption occurred. Stanley Williams had stressed the danger of going inside, and only those making data collections went with him into the crater. The volcano eruptions at Nevado del Ruiz and Galeras.
There are two stories in this book.The first is about the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano that resulted in the deaths of 23,000 people.The second is the death of six scientists and three Columbians in the Galeras eruption.The scientists killed were led by Stan Williams, who also substained very serious injuries.The three Columbians were local hikers in the area.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Audiobooks    5. Colombia    6. Earth Sciences - General    7. General    8. History    9. Lahars    10. Latin America - General    11. Natural Disasters    12. Nevado del Ruiz Region    13. Science    14. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    15. Volcanism    16. Science / General   

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Reviews (9)

The Hook - Journal of Carrier Aviation Book Review
Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilot�s War; Peter Hunt; Ballantine Books, New York, N.Y., 2002; softcover, 368 pages, illustrated. .... Interesting book about fighting Desert Storm from the air
There aren't a lot of books by former naval avaitors about flying and fighting during Desert Storm.This book is also rarer since the platform he flew, the A-6 Intruder, has been retired despite several advantages over its replacement, the F/A-18.The book describes the working up period prior to deploying to the Arabian Gulf, shipboard life, as well as the buildup and actual fighting done during Desert Storm from his carrier.The wrting isn't as gripping as a professional writer would do, but nonetheless is an authentic account from a unique source.Overall, I was gald to have had the opportunity to learn more about what makes combat and naval aviation so much more different than what land-based forces go through.As a book to throw in your bag for a weekend reading source, this will be fine.

Outstanding "inside" look at a pilot's view of Desert Storm
Title of this review says it all.The only reason I wanted to post another review of this book is to just add another 5 stars-it's that good.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. General    4. History    5. Military    6. Military - Aviation    7. Military - Persian Gulf War    8. Military History - Persian Gulf War    9. Military Personal Narratives    10. History / Military / Aviation   

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Reviews (39)

Incredible tale!
This is an incredible story of the June 7, 1981, operation that took out Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor and, as a result, probably alone kept him from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
WHO ARE THESE?
I picked this up having tried to find something to read that was substantive, historical but that was not too dry and long (many pages).I read this quickly one weekend, was a page turner.Seems very relevant today given what some rogue nations are planning these days.
A Fascinating Story Limited by Constant Errors
This account of Operation Babalyon is a fascinating story of the people and circumstances that lead to Isreal's decision to bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor.The author, Roger Claire, states that he had extensive contact with the pilots and the various decision makers involved in the operation.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. History    6. Iraq    7. Middle East - Israel    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    10. Military - Nuclear Warfare    11. Nuclear reactors    12. Osirak Nuclear Reactor Bombing, Iraq, 1981    13. History / Military / Nuclear Warfare   

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Subjects:  1. British & Irish history: c 500 to c 1000    2. History: World    3. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

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Interesting!
I enjoyed this audio book. Listened to it in the car in preparation for a field trip to Antietam. It is not an in-depth report but it is interesting and goes by quickly.

Wonderful
This audio book was absolutely brilliant.The characters so aptly described what it was like to be there at that time and place.It was incredibly easy to follow and a great book to listen to! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    3. Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862    4. Audio Adult: Other    5. Audiobooks    6. General    7. History    8. Maryland Campaign, 1862    9. United States - Civil War    10. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)   

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Reviews (304)

everything is fine
Everything is fine. Go back to sleep. Nothing happened here, move along. The government is honest. The Warren Report was totally comprehensive and answered all the questions. Believe. Obey. Go back to sleep. Everything is fine.
Keep the coverup going
Illinois Congressman Paul Findley aptly stated in 1992 that "It is interesting to note that in all the words written and uttered about the Kennedy assassination, Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, has never been mentioned."
You have a point Mr. Suvins
The charmingly named Bigby Suvins has unintentionally stumbled on the crux of why Mr. Posner is credible and conspiracy theorists are not.What do Iran-Contra, Tuskegee, MK-ULTRA, the Bay of Pigs, the Allende overthrow, and CIA LSD research of the 50s all have in common?They were all conspiracies that came to the light of day and eventually became widely documented.That's because you can't keep a conspiracy secret that relies on more than a few participants.It's fun to concoct assassination fantasies, but as Mr. Posner shows, that's all they are. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. General    4. United States - 20th Century/60s   

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America As It Was.
This book is filled with short accounts of diverse "American Moments" grouped in ten areas.This is a sampling.Each reader would do a completely different review as there is so much to choose from to make an interesting account.
Good Grief
The editing for 90 seconds of television was too severe for the treasured scenes to work as effectively in book form.Am I just still too sad at our loss to fill in the gaps?Though disappointed I read on and on.No doubtyou will too.Kuralt was a quintessential American treasure himself.

Great Moments of Reading
Great reading! As I read the pages of American Moments I canhear the voice of Charles Kuralt.I recommend it for all ages and it is very uplifting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. Audio Adult: Other    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. General    6. Historical - General    7. United States - 20th Century    8. Current Events / General   

Reviews (7)

Utter Driviel. Bargain Bin ONLY!!!
For someone who is supposed to be an historian, Burke makes Great Beginnings...
An important, timely & vital point is being made by these authors. I listened intently to their ideas, mostly while jogging. I loved the prehistoric stuff, but after that it all became pretty familiar. I agreed with their thoughts on controlling our technology instead of it controlling us, but there's not much we can do about it when, in so many ways, we *are* our technology. Still, it is good & inspiring & true. Everyone should read it. I just gave it three stars because in the middle sections my running pace slowed considerably, indicating non-involvement.

Axemakers Gift audio
Axemakers Gift is the world's best kept open secret. Very enjoyable sound on only two cassettes is multiply distilled encyclopedic overview of the most significant and interesting things that have happened in the entire history of the world. Each world-changing phenomenon leads naturally to the next and shows their possibly hopeful implications for the futureIf I had my life to live over I would wish very early to hear Axemakers Gift to become instilled with its attitudes of confidence, cheerfulness, fearlessness, compassion, good will, hopefulness and unpretentious incredible erudition. It would give me a sound foundation for facing life instead of trying to think there was something wrong with me because I couldn't see things the way people told me to.I always knew somehow that when I was dying I would figure out what things had been all about but young people who hear this tape can start out from the first with a grounding that will give them enthusiasm for looking for new ideas and, even if they go down the tubes, I guess at least they'll have a sublime understanding of their real part in the great scheme of things.I listen to it again every few weeks to get my fix of sanity and truth and good will in the seeming hopeless of a "gotcha" world. All my thanks for Axemakers Gift, The Day the Universe Changed, and Connections.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Culture    4. History    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Social Aspects    7. Technology   

Editorial Review

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Troubling but crucially important
Strauss and Howe offer an analysis of the past 500 years of Western civilization, through the lens of generational dynamics. They are repeating (and condensing) some of their prior work in Generations, and putting more emphasis on our present reality.The authors posit that there is a four-generation cycle that has repeated itself time and time again over the past five centuries. Every fourth generation, there is a massive upheaval -- the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II being the most recent examples. They argue that we are due for the next massive crisis by about 2020 to 2025, and that all the signs of disintegration of society we see around us are patterns that have existed in the periods prior to the massive upheavals of the past.I found this book to be a page-turner; I found it incredibly difficult to put down.
Family is the only ultimate safety net for both political and economic upheaval
The fourth turning prediction suggests a final abandon of futurist promises of social security, Medicare, and elder benefits.These New Deal projects will lie in the dust bins of history. Today's advice is to prepare for both economic and political upheaval.The federal government will need to simplify and reduce, size and scope. All levels of government need to prune legal, regulatory, and professional thickets that stymie institutional change. Government needs to thin out procedural requirements that could delay or weaken emergence measures in a crisis.Communities should improve their own functional support for schools, housing infrastructure (sewer,power,water,roads), transportation, safety, justice, social service from their own local resources and stop depending upon federal fund assistance.Personal responsibility for the future health care and income means people, today, should begin to save intensely.The saving must be signficant increase reaching 20-25 percent of their incomes.The author believes a consumption tax will benefit the middle class.A consumption tax would not tax income creating a wealth creation sphere.However, money is not the only solution.Bottomline, the family will be the ultimate safety net against disaster because of its never infinite resource capability and flexibility.At the same time, as economic hardship increases, one can expect government subsidies to vanish and new trade barriers to arise.Corporate bailouts caused from consumer spending declines will be less and less likely.
The most profound book I have read in a long time
I have always believed history was linear, and that we were progressing somehow as a species, until I read this book.
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Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Cycles    5. Forecasts    6. Future Studies    7. General    8. Twenty-first century    9. History / General   

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Reviews (7)

Excellent book on tape
The movie was great, but the book (on tape) was much more intense and horrifying.I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Classic Book - Superb in Audiobook Format
I thoroughly enjoyed this story on a recent family trip across country.I was surprised when my wife, who is usually not interested in war stories, became immersed in the book. I only wish it was available in CD-Rom format.

it stays with you even after you've read it
This book is a very real and truthful account of what happened.I read it in a few days and could not put it down.The story goes into the lives of the men there and you will be horrified, stunned, and angry.This book is impossible to read as an outsider; it draws you in and stays with you for a while afterward.The personal accounts are so chilling and real.Also, the lives of the families at home, the political happenings and the aftermath confront you with shocking realizations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. History    4. Military - Vietnam War    5. Unabridged Audio - History    6. History / Military / Vietnam War   

Editorial Review

Historian Daniel J. Boorstin brings his customary depth and range to this compelling book on Western art, taking on everything from European megaliths (Stonehenge, for example) to Benjamin Franklin's autobiography ("the first American addition to world literature"). Boorstin does not aim at being comprehensive--he much prefers to linger over certain "heroes of the imagination" as he surveys human accomplishment in the fields of architecture, music, painting, sculpting, and writing--yet Read more

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The Discoverers for the more artistically minded
The Creators by Daniel Boorstin is an excellant read. This book was more reader friendly then The Discoverers and just as well researched. As Boorstin does in the Discoverers, each chapter tellsthe life story of an artist/musician/architech and while doing this goes in depth on this person's works.
one of the greats
Most books I read, I think, are on an intellectual level commensurate with my own.Usually I think, "I could probably write this, if I took the time to learn enough."
A must have!
I read "The Creators" years ago as a teenager and rediscovered it when cleaning out the old book chest. I highly suggest opening ones mind with this work. "The Creators" is a how-to manual of human thought. It is not meant to be a thrilling adventure story. Boorstin takes you step by step through the imagery and imagination that dawned civilization. "The Creators" is for anyone who ever asked, "Why?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. General    4. History    5. Unabridged Audio - History    6. World - General   

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Reviews (59)

Witty, uplifting, and educational collection of essays from a proud American citizen
Sarah Vowell is a patriot.She might be left-leaning in her political views and voting trends, but first and foremost, she's a history buff and a lover of America.Her essay collection focuses on the political and cultural issues surround the end of the Clinton presidency and the first years of George W. Bush's tenure in office.She explores a wide range of topics, but without any anger or vituperation against people on the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Mostly Sunny Writer, Crueler Tomorrow.
If I could choose a mind to replace the one I've lost, I'd pick Sarah Vowell's.Vowell is at once witty, silly, and insightful. And as if these fine qualities weren't enough, Vowell is also a really big nerd--well, not a Star Trek nerd or a Dungeons and Dragons nerd or anything super cool, but she's a History/Civics nerd, and that's certainly nothing to stick your nose up at . . . unless, you know, . . . you're trying to keep your taped-together glasses from falling off.