Reviews (5)

Then and Now
The photographs in this book are good shots - clear, and larger than I had expected. It is very interesting to see how the historical city of Boston was, and how it has changed over the years, most times for the better, though sometimes for the worse.Perhaps I would get more out of this if I knew more about Boston. Unless you are already familiar with this city, then "Boston Then and Now" gives you the feeling of peeping through the windows of a house that's up for rent, rather than being taken on a guided tour. A map certainly would have been helpful, and how about an entire page of background information rather than a footnote? Just an idea, in case someone decides to revise it someday. Nice book. Worth buying.

SNOBS
"Boston Then And Now" was reviewed by Charles Higgensworth III.I do hope there won't be a number 4 Higgensworth.This man should drop the attitude.Then people may like him almost as much as this book.What a jerk!

A good backstop to any trip to Boston's sites
We purchased this book in Boston and found almost all of the sites we saw in town in this book.In this book, the older, up to 150-year old photo of the original structures on the current site, or older pictures than offered a juxtaposition of the surrounding landscape of buildings present in the past and now around selected sites.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Pictorial works    7. Pictorials    8. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./New England    9. Travel    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. Places & peoples: general interest    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Sale Books   

Reviews (5)

The Pictures are Really Entertaining.
Happily, I discovered this book shortly after another one of my recommendations; "The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine." It was truly fascinating to read about the events that occurred in Colonial America shortly before the Declaration, and see those events referenced in our constitution. You will understand the evolution of our government from colonial to country by reading both. Enthusiastically Recommended for all ages.

Every American should buy this book
This is a visually wonderful book.Sam Fink originally did a pen-and-ink version of this, which was later revised to be a full-colour version for Welcome Books.Apart from the briefest of commentary pieces, this is simply the text of the U.S. Constitution, from Preamble to Twenty-Seventh Amendment.Fink has done an engaging hand-inscribed version with illustrative artwork, sometimes symbolic and sometimes demonstrative.For example, for the Thirteen Amendment (the one passed in 1865 to abolish slavery), Fink's graphic shows strong chains being broken by a pair of shears that have been painted red, white and blue like the flag.For the Sixteenth Amendment (the 1913 amendment permitting general income taxes), Fink's drawing shows a man standing next to Uncle Sam, with Uncle Sam's hand reaching surreptitiously into the unsuspecting man's pocket.
Why would you buy this book?
The title of this book is the giveaway.Apparently, the author has not read the Constitution FOR the United States of America.It is NOT the Constitution of the United States of America."for" places the Constitution in proper context as the set of rules for the government.
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Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Constitutional Law    3. Constitutions    4. Government - National    5. History    6. History: American    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Oversize books    9. Specimens    10. U.S. Constitutional History    11. United States    12. United States - Revolutionary War    13. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    14. History / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)    15. USA   

Reviews (3)

Poor Logic
Thomas Dilorenzo shines at misinformation in his new book.Among the lies he states is that it is not widely taught that the Civil War was not just about slavery but also for economic reasons.This is interesting to me as a history teacher, since any modern text, college, high school or grade school would have this information.
Lincoln Unmasked: Dishonest Abe. By Thomas Dilorenzo
A lot of research examines Abraham Lincoln and other origins of American National Socialism. Much of the work helps to explain the massive growth of government in these United States of America and the growing police state. More work needs to expose the influence of American National Socialism upon socialists worldwide, and upon the National Socialist German Workers' Party.
A Real Inconvenient Truth
I've already read DiLorenzo's The Real Lincoln; and I must say, this new book of his is far more trenchant in its libertarian exegesis of creepy "Father Abraham."Anyone interested in human freedom and dignity should get this book.Its a twelve-pound sledge of intellectual dynamite to evicerate the socialist propaganda of Eric 'Stalinikov Marx-o-holic' Foner with.
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Subjects:  1. 1809-1865    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Lincoln, Abraham,    9. Presidents    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. Public opinion    12. U.S. History - Civil War And Reconstruction (1860-1877)    13. United States    14. United States - Civil War    15. History / United States / General   

Reviews (70)

Sophomore AP History Student
I honestly do not think that I am very good at United States History (still got an A+) and being that it is now two months before the May AP Season, I can tell you with confidence that after reading the 1070 pages, my knowledge of US History is flimy. Of course, I plan on going back and reading teh book again and buying the Princeton Review's prep book, but I cannot tell yet for sure how well the book has done for me.
Easy to read with relatively short chapters
The American Pageant is a very easy to read US History textbook. The chapters are all relatively short and average about 25 pages. The margins are about half an inch and the presentation is overall easy on the eyes.
Poor service. Product misrepresented.
The book we received was not the full book with the ISBN number we ordered. It was volume one of two with a different ISBN number, which was clearly noted on the back of the book. We had to send the book back AT OUR EXPENSE! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: American    4. United States    5. United States - General    6. American history    7. USA   

Editorial Review

The largely blue collar citizens of Kansas can be counted upon to be a "red" state in any election, voting solidly Republican and possessing a deep animosity toward the left. This, according to author Thomas Frank, is a pretty self-defeating phenomenon, given that the policies of the Republican Party benefit the wealthy and powerful at the great expense of the average worker. According to Frank, the conservative establishment has tricked Kansans, playing up the emotional touchstones of conservatism and perpetuating a sense of a vast liberal empire out to crush traditional values while barely ever discussing the Republicans' actual economic policies and what they mean to the working class. Thus the pro-life Kansas factory worker who listens to Rush Limbaugh will repeatedly vote for the party that is less likely to protect his safety, less likely to protect his job, and less likely to benefit him economically. To much of America, Kansas is an abstract, "where Dorothy wants to return. Where Superman grew up." But Frank, a native Kansan, separates reality from myth in Read more

Reviews (356)

An amazing book for understanding why "they" vote like that!
The book demonstrates with eloquence and grace how "values voters" are duped into voting for an economy they probably disagree with. The book points out how abortion, gay rights, family values, tv violence, rap lyrics and the rest are all tools that are used to "fire up the base" but they are NEVER acted upon, and they never WILL be acted upon in anything but the most lip-servicey ways....
Must read for all Americans
Gives a very interesting view on how we got into this predicament and why people in general will vote against their own interests.

A question the liberal elites can not answer
Frank as well as the liberal elites, just don't get it.That is why they are asking this question. Liberal elites are constantly mocking and discriminating against middle America.I am proud to be from middle America.There is no mystery as to why we vote Republican. We have not been tricked to vote Republican, we vote for candidates that have values, morals, love of our country and respect for each other; from life to death.There is more to life than how much money you have, the car you have or house you own.We are not impressed with wealth and power. These are the things that the elitist will never get.Kansas is beautiful, the people are relaxed, educated and extremely friendly.There is simply nothing wrong with Kansas.Instead, it should be a model for both the east and west coasts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1951-    2. Conservatism    3. General    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. History - U.S.    6. Kansas    7. Kansas - State Government    8. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. Politics/International Relations    13. United States - State & Local - General   

Reviews (48)

Helpful guide for Black America
Covenant with Black America is poignant, practical and plausible.It lays out what matters most to Black Americans.More importantly, it shows ways to achieve our goals.
Despite what you've heard, not all truths are self-evident...
The Covenant with Black America is a profound literary work that reveals the truths about America and its tenuous relationship with the African-American community. After an introduction by Tavis Smiley, leading authorities cover agendas that should be of major concern to all African-Americans: healthcare, education, employment, environment, etc.
A Must Read
This book is relevant not only for African Americans, but ALL Americans because the state of African American people in this nation is an American concern. The book is very well written and comprehensive giving some startling research statistics. This book will also make you re-examine your priorities and make you more attentive to the policies that are implemented in our government. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1975-    2. African American leadership    3. African Americans    4. Ethnic Issues    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    6. Political Ideologies - Nationalism    7. Politics and government    8. Social Science    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. Black studies    12. Social Science / African-American Studies    13. USA   

Reviews (85)

A Hard Adventure
A Hard Adventure
Unbelievable!
Can you imagine an overweight, past-his-prime ex-president with lingering injuries today disappearing into an unexplored part of the world for many months, with mostly useless provisions, without any communication with the outside world, while the world wonders if he is dead or alive?The first part of the journey is a trek through a barren wasteland, with pack animals dying all around you.The second part is down a river that no has ever traversed.What is around the next bend?A village of Indians who have never seen a white person, who would rather pump you full of poison arrows than befriend you?A series of impassable rapids, only to be followed by more rapids?
Millard finds a hidden gem of a story and tells it wonderfully.
Reading this book makes you wonder how many great stories from the past we never get to hear because someone like Candice Millard doesn't find them and tell them.As you read this wonderful book, you realize how easy it would have been for this amazing adventure tale featuring one of the premier figures in US history to just slip unknown into the past.Fortunately for all of us, Millard found this story, polished it up and presented it to us for our enjoyment.
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Subjects:  1. 20th Century World History    2. Amazon River Valley    3. Biography    4. Discovery And Exploration (General)    5. Expeditions & Discoveries    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Latin America - South America    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Natural history    12. Presidents    13. Presidents & Heads of State    14. Rain forests    15. United States    16. United States - 20th Century    17. History / General   

Reviews (3)

A RealisticApproach To Solving Problem
Once again George McGovern makes a logical and realistic view on an important world issue. I would suggest all read this volume and give serious consideration to the plan suggested. Thank you to both authors!

A decent,sound way to make Americans and Iraqis safer.
This book is so much more than a lot ofextremely important information about Iraq.It proposes an American withdrawal based on our highest American ideals -- treating the Iraqis as we would want to be treated in similar circumstances.
Best Book on Iraq Yet
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Foreign relations    3. History - U.S.    4. International Relations - General    5. Iraq War, 2003    6. Military - Iraq War    7. Military Policy    8. Military Science    9. Modern - 21st Century    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Technology    14. U.S. Foreign Relations    15. United States    16. United States - 21st Century    17. History / United States / 21st Century   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Reference    6. Statistics    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. American history    10. History / United States / General    11. Reference works    12. USA   

Editorial Review

In retrospect, it seems as if the American Revolution was inevitable. But was it? In Read more

Reviews (348)

A Masterpiece
Joseph Ellis understands that it is what happens between, under and over the events of history that make it interesting.He has mastered the art of drawing out the implications of character, relationship and motivation.He brings the story to life by immersing the reader in the lives - the ideals, emotions, short-comings, likes and dislikes - of the characters that shaped the events of the American Revolution.Ellis doesn't just tell us that "they [all the major players] were making it up as they went along, improvising on the edge of catastrophe," he makes us feel it.
Founding Brothers, J. Ellis
A very readable and enjoyable book which makes the men involved in the Revolution, the drafting and signing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the relocation of the Nation's Capitol, etc., come alive.Their relationships with each other, envy, gossip, behind the scenes maneuvering are reminscent of politics today, or maybe life in general.If there were time to read only one history book, Founding Brothers would be it.
Excellent unbiased opinion of our early leaders
Founding Brothers is an excellent read for anyone interested in a clear, concise review of our struggle for independence and the early days of our republic.Ellis' explanations of the vastly different ideas that the founders had concerning what kind of government the new country should have and how to achieve it were captivating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1783-1809    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Historical - General    7. History    8. History & Theory - General    9. History: American    10. Presidents    11. Statesmen    12. United States    13. United States - Revolutionary War    14. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    15. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (25)

Homage to Dad
I gave this book 2 stars because the first 2 fifths of it were good.The rest stunk.
Useful account of a failed, corrupt occupation

Sad But True
The title says it all.In fact, it echoes a remark made by a citizen of the country, who said "We may be seeing the death of Iraq."From the gassing and torture of civilians to America's nonchalant reaction to the looting of Iraq's treasured museums,to the current mess and mayhem created by our ignorance and incompetance, the author sums it all up by stating that America lost the war on terror the day it won the battle for Baghdad.
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Subjects:  1. 1991-2003    2. 2003-    3. Foreign Relations    4. History    5. History: American    6. International Relations - General    7. Iraq    8. Iraq - History    9. Iraq War, 2003    10. Military - Iraq War    11. Military - United States    12. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    13. Politics / Current Events    14. United States - 21st Century    15. History / United States / 21st Century   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (2)

Opens with Summary, Good Series, May Underestimate Cheney
By virtue of being an organized series of past short columns, most two pages to three pages in length, this book may be off-putting to the average reader, but for either insiders or those who care deeply about moral legitimate governance, this is a real page turner.
Read this book before you vote.
No one understands the radical right like Sidney Blumenthal. He writes about it in a clear, concise, measured way, though his revelations can make your blood boil. This book is must reading for anyone concerned about what is happening in the United States. I hope it influences the way the country will vote in the mid-term elections this year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservatism    2. Executive power    3. Government - Executive Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. History & Theory - General    6. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Radicalism    11. United States    12. United States - 21st Century    13. 21st century    14. American History    15. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    16. International relations    17. Political Science / History & Theory    18. Political Science and International Relations    19. Political leaders & leadership    20. Political science & theory    21. USA   

Reviews (7)

Steinway,a place, its people, the piano
Mr. Barron writes a great story.Other books have catalogued the Steinway history, and even how the piano works, but this innovative story adds life to what might otherwise be just an organized mass of metal and wood. The piano has a personality! In the narrative, the reader follows the construction of a single concert grand piano, but in the process we learn so much more by exploring many of the individuals involved in its building, the Steinway family and the workmen who lovingly bend the wood, glue the keys, and make the piano sing. Mr. Barron has not only written a great history of Steinway and the pianos they build, but created a fascinating story of its people. Its a great read for even the non-piano lovers among us. I couldn't put it down from start to finish. (The schematic drawings in the back - the new and the old, are particularly fascinating!)

PIANO OR PEOPLE
While I enjoyed this book, it is really much more about people than pianos, and the "common man" at that.Picturesque as they might be,many details about the workers' personal lives could have been spared.For those of us who play pianos but have never taken one apart, a labeled schematic would have been very helpful in understanding the text.

The Piano as a Person
My husband and I enjoyed this book greatly and have found others have enjoyed it as much, if not more.10 days ago as I lay in Intensive Care I ended up discussing the book with the fellow in the Intensive Care bed next to mine.I doubt either of us will ever again find a book that let us take our minds off our intensive pains for that half hour disucssion.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction    3. History    4. History & Criticism - General    5. Methods & Materials    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Musical Instruments - Construction And Repair    8. Musical Instruments - Piano    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Piano makers    12. Steinway piano    13. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic    14. Performing Arts / General   

Editorial Review

The appeal of Dava Sobel's Read more

Reviews (235)

Stunning Tale of Old Whaling Days
I just finished this last night...wow! The narration is lively and keeps the pace of the story while the author imparts a great deal of information that could have been dull but is not. The prose is so vivid that I could not eat while reading the passages about dismembering the whale; I could almost smell the burning oil and feel the slick decks. Amazing that men made a living this way! I can hardly wait to start Philbrick's MAYFLOWER.

The short reveiw
Here is all you need to know so as not to spoil the story:
Excellent Account and Audio Read
This review refers to "In The Heart Of The Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick, Unabridged Audio edition, read by Scott Brick
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Subjects:  1. Essex (Whaleship)    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: American    5. Latin America - Mexico    6. Maritime History    7. Pacific Ocean    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - History    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - Shipwrecks    10. Shipwrecks    11. United States - 19th Century    12. History / United States / 19th Century   

Reviews (48)

An Interesting View of US History
We the people of the United States like to think of ourselves as peace loving icons, holding ourselves up above the petty problems that affect the rest of the world. And there is a certain amount of truth to that.
Paring history down to the essential lessons.
I will not repeat the many excellent comments here except that Kinzer writes very well, making the read fascinating and factually solid.Other points:
Regime Change Begins At Home
It's no mere cliche to state that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. Here Stephen Kinzer e