Reviews (56)

I wanted to like it I really did
The first three chapters have nothing to do with the overall concept, its just some crazy manifest dynasty that's been rehashed time and time again.
Insightful and fair work
Behind the scenes of the hellish fights on Iwo Jima in 1945, another bloodshed was taking place just nearby. The American Air Force planned to fly B-29 strategic bombers from Iwo Jima to Japan, but it faced another peril, Chichi Jima. The island served as critical radar station to detect any enemy aerial activities for the Japanese and held even greater forces than infamous Iwo Jima. This book is a story about the fate of nine Chichi Jima raiders who were shot down, captured, slaughtered, and erased from the history until re-discovered recently.
Flyboys
I had a difficult time with this book. Having ready "Flags of Our Fathers", I had hopes this would be as well written and informitive. However, from early on this book came across as just another piece of "pagan liberal propoganda". The ethnic cleansing of American Indians by the United States was an early warmup of typical pagan propoganda and it headed downhill from there.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Chichi Island    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Japan    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. Prisoners Of War    12. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    13. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    14. World War II - East Asia    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (1)

Good seller
Recieved book promptly, and in excellent condition.Would buy from them again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: American    5. United States - General    6. American history    7. American studies    8. USA   

Reviews (128)

Good research, disjointed storytelling
This book covers a lot of ground and Barry has done some great research.What Barry does not do is maintain a consistently engaging narrative. As others have noted, the book could have used some judicious editing.It probably could have lost 100 pages in my view.
Four Books in One But Everyone Should Know This
There are essentially four separate threads in this book:
A Story that Needs to be Told
A Story that Needs to be Told
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. History    3. History: American    4. Infectious Diseases    5. Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Medicine    8. Modern - 20th Century    9. U.S. History - Early 20th Century    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century    12. History / Modern / 20th Century    13. Medical   

Reviews (13)

Always learning something new
Even though I had believed that I knew at least a bit about all aspects of the American Revolution, this book caught me by surprise. I had never known anything about the British and their freedom offer to the slaves of American rebels. This exciting story spends a bit of time on the war itself and the rush to liberty of multitudes of blacks, but the bulk of it is taken up with what happened to the freed slaves when the war was over. There we see that the British government wasn't very much different from the American one, in that it professed its belief in liberty for all, but in practice the ex-slaves were considered second-class citizens, if even that. They were unceremoniuosly dumped into squalor in Nova Scotia, and only the efforts of a few brave Englishmen allowed many of them to be transported to Sierra Leone, there to found a free black society. Even there the people were subjected to being demeaned by the whites who controlled the area. This is a sad morality tale, and it shows up the hypocracy of both the American and British systems of government. This should be required reading for everyone.

A Little Known Story, Well Told
In the Broadway musical 1776 there is a very dramatic scene during the debate over the Declaration of Independence where the representatives from the northern and southern states are arguing over the South's 'peculiar institution.' It became clear that there would be no revolution if slavery had not been maintained.
A new facet of US history
Schama has done a service to us all through this book, which provides a look at how people in the 18th century interpreted the phrase "all men are created equal."The British by and large were far more willing to include blacks in that category than the people of the United States.Slaves who escaped and fought for the British were promised their freedom. Not every promise was kept, but many were. After the war, Schama takes us along with the freed slaves as they are shuttled to Nova Scotia and eventually Sierra Leone, as they demanded and fought for the freedom due to them by virtue of their service in the British army.The text is very well written and footnoted; the author understands that well-told history is told in (true) stories.The book's only miscue is Schama's subtle mocking of the religious fervor of the freed slaves and abolitionists. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1775-1783, Revolution    2. 18th century    3. Africa - West    4. African Americans    5. Blacks    6. England    7. Europe - Great Britain - General    8. General    9. History    10. History - General History    11. History - U.S.    12. History: American    13. Slavery    14. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    15. United States    16. United States - Revolutionary War    17. History / General   

Reviews (4)

The worst book ever
This book is the worst book I ever had since I was born. The author did not do a great job constructing sentences (or should i say did not know how to). His ideas were too vague, his sentences were too confusing and its very impossible to learn and understand American history if one is going to use this book alone, especially if he is not an American who had American history in high school. If you are not American and have no idea of American history and need to use this book, DROP THE COURSE. Its better to drop early than suffer the consequences of failing the course. If there were a -99 rating, I'll give it a -100.

Great book, easy transactio
Fast shippment, no problems, book was exactly as described. Recommend to other buyers and I would definitely do business with them again. Thanks.

Lies, Lies and more lies....
I bought this book because I need it for my His. class. From chap. # 1, I wanted to drop the class JUST BECAUSE THIS TBOOK.
Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: American    4. Textbooks    5. United States    6. United States - General    7. American history    8. History / General    9. USA   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Arab countries    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Holocaust    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jewish Studies    9. Jews    10. Middle East - General    11. Middle East - History    12. Persecutions    13. World War II    14. ASIA    15. Arabian peninsula    16. Ethnic studies    17. International relations    18. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (11)

A moving story of reunion and identity
Books like this are difficult for me to review because my adoption memories are so painful, but Mr. Brooks' is not to be missed. His moving story covers the discovery of identity, culture, and heritage that adoption so often denies adoptees. I, too, was blessed to reunite with my mother and find the rich history and heritage of my family.
A Wealth of Family: An Adopted Son's International Quest for Heritage, Reunion, and Enrichment
From the first page to the last, I was completely immersed in this riveting book as the author's journey, to find his biological parents, takes him down very diverse paths.I completed the book in one sitting experiencing emotions of sadness, sympathy, and happiness.The complex dynamics of exploring new familial relationships while legitimizing the love of existing ones makes for an intriguing story.I found this book to be inspirational and it has given me hope in my search to find my biological brother who was adopted at birth.

A Well Written, Inspirational Epic of Self-Discovery and Familial Appreciation
Thomas Brooks found out he was adopted in early adolescence. It wasn't until he was an adult that he decided to find the parents who gave him away. Through diligent research, he finds out that his birth mother was white and his birth father was a black Kenyan foreign student. Dispelling shock, stereotypes, and self-pity, Brooks plunges into his history and eagerly embraces his new, extended family, while never letting go of his loving adoptive family. A Wealth of Family is Brooks' emotional recording of his brave journey in and out of himself from a disadvantaged area of inner-city Pittsburgh across the ocean to Europe and Africa in search of his identity that was given away at birth. In doing so, Brooks adopts a healthy relationship with his three families: his adopted family, his birth mother's family, and his birth father's family. Additionally, with the amalgamation of these cultures participating in his life, Brooks' awareness of race relations and the ignorance of others is heightened and becomes one of the reasons he writes this story. "I wrote this book because I am proud of the heritage of my three diverse families...I have endeavored to provide a perspective on multicultural families and insights on overcoming poverty and racism."
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography & Autobiography / People of Color    3. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    4. Family & Relationships / Adoption    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Adopted children    9. Adoptees    10. African Americans    11. Family relationships    12. Race awareness    13. Racially mixed people    14. United States   

Reviews (3)

Beyond The Gilded Age Of The Adirondacks!
From the 'opening' of the Adirondacks in the 18th Century to the present, Harvey Kaiser delivers a premier photographic history of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks.Exploring the architectural history from an owner's whinsey to the details of a porch railing, Kaiser guides the reader through a history of gorgeous excess and an age of bountiful richness that few knew.Camp Uncas (owner J.P. Morgan), Topridge (Marjorie Merriweather Post) and Nehasane (Dr. William Seward Webb) are just a few of the detailed highlights showcased in this volume.Many of the larger hotels and lesser known camps (and castles) are photographed and discussed here at length.This book is not just for the architect, builder or historian.It is a display of architectural beauty build into a unique and mysterious landscape.It is a history never to be repeated and never to be forgotten.

The seminal work on rustic architecture
The discovery of this book made me set aside all the others on rustic architecture.The author does a marvelous job in explaining the beginnings ofrustic architecture and why it has a permanent place in our culture.The mix of social background and the history of the early Adirondack campswith superb photographs provides a designers guidebook. The arguments forhistoric preservation are skillfully written and should be read by anyonein the field.

What's that --- MY HOUSE MENTIONED IN A BOOK!
I'm giving this the best review - but, I admit, I am the son of one of the owners of a house mentioned in the book! The house is Kildare Club. However, I'm unbiast! (SORT OF) Read more

Subjects:  1. Adirondack Mountains    2. Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.)    3. Animal painting and illustration    4. Architecture    5. History - General    6. New York (State)    7. Vacation homes    8. Vernacular architecture    9. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides   

Reviews (2)

Very biased against "Whites"
It is a shame to think that some teachers are using this as their only text.As such, it gives a totally distorted view of so-called "Anglos" and "Whites" in America.For instance, in the chapters on American Indians, the Spanish depravity visited on the indigenous peoples in what is now the American west and southwest isn't even mentioned.The authors assertions of peaceful assimilation by the Spanish of the indigenous peoples (p. 199) is irresponsible and absurd.But this book is sure to please the America-hating politically correct crowd that equates white European Americans with Satan.

"Interethnic Relations In America" forces me think
Early this Spring I decided to take on the task ofan Honors Intercultural Studies course at De Anza College. Although I had taken many classes of the same genre, little could have prepared me for the mass ofknowledge that I would obtain. Through reading an average of 60-80 pages of"Interethnic Relations in America" each week, I have been able togain not only a cultural perspective, but a sociological and historical onetoo! I have found that although it is challenging because it contains SOmuch information, that it reigns as a great work because it is seeminglynon-biased, very modern, and well written. I would definetly reccommendthis book to people of all ages, races, ethnicities, regardless of their"cultural baggage." I have been forced to think, and thus I feelcompelled to share my experinces with others. This book can truly changeyour life in many ways! Not to mention that my professor has used it atboth Stanford and Berkeley in the past! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Discrimination & Racism    4. Ethnic Issues    5. Ethnic Studies - General    6. Ethnic relations    7. Minorities    8. Minority Studies - Ethnic American    9. Minority Studies - Race Relations    10. Race And Ethnic Relations    11. Race relations    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. United States    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Social Science    16. Ethnic studies   

Editorial Review

Veteran reporter and Read more

Reviews (437)

Painfully bad writing
I was assigned this book as preparation for an A.P. English class, and I was incredibly disappointed with it. Although it features some stirring stories of bravery and compassion (hence the two stars), every word of it is poured over with syrup and then carelessly vomited onto the page. Only about half of the words in this book are necessary at all to the context of the stories it tells; the rest are flag-waving literary masturbation. Consider sentences like these:
good retrospection
Tom Brokaw has wriiten quite a good book using the common men and women as the forces of retrospection. Of course, he only mentions people he knew or came across in the generation, missing out a lot of others.
This brought back memories-good and bad
This was the first book my wife gave me about the war. It started me thinking of all I went through when I was in the war. As an introduction to the generations who weren't there, I think this was super. For us who were there, I am glad to see it documented in such a manner. Thank you for writing this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: American    4. Military - World War II    5. Modern - 20th Century    6. United States - 20th Century    7. History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (8)

Very insightful, easy reading, thought provoking resource on cultural norms
This book is an excellent resource for people who are ready and want to learn more about U.S. American cultural norms. This includes people from other countries and people living in the United States (regardless of citizenship). For U.S. Americans, by highlighting U.S. American culture the book also provides insight into other cultures.
Underrated
I don't know why this book has a bad rap here, as I found it easy to read and entertaining as an American wanting to know about unique qualities of my own culture.The author examines a number of aspects of American culture and compares them to other cultures, I couldn't have asked for anything better.Perhaps there are better books on the subject, but this is the first I've read and it was sufficient for my purpose, although I will look into more after this one.
A Good Read!
Gary Althen's richly detailed guide shines a psychological, cultural and sociological spotlight on American customs, values, attitudes and behavior. Organized into 22 chapters that cover just about every aspect of American life, the book hits you with its uncanny insight, accuracy and honesty. Although he doesn't completely avoid stereotyping (and doesn't seem at all bothered by it), Althen presents the good, the bad and the quirky. He explains the "why" behind American attitudes and manners. Even though this is a guide for foreigners visiting, doing business in or living in the United States, we from getAbstract also suggest this book to Americans. It's an eye-opener about the national personality, or the perceived national personality, from na�vete to individualism. As Scotsman Robert Burns wrote, "Oh wad some power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as others see us." Well, here's your chance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aliens    2. Guidebooks    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. History - U.S.    5. Intercultural communication    6. Travel    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Visitors, Foreign    10. Cultural studies    11. USA   

Editorial Review

On September 8, 1900, a massive hurricane slammed into Galveston, Texas. A tidal surge of some four feet in as many seconds inundated the city, while the wind destroyed thousands of buildings. By the time the water and winds subsided, entire streets had disappeared and as many as 10,000 were dead--making this the worst natural disaster in America's history.Read more

Reviews (233)

Hurricanes, other killer storms & reporting on these to the public
Background
" ISAAC'S STORM"
NOT MUCH TO ADD TO THE GREAT REVIEWS I HAVE READ HERE SINCE READING THIS BOOK MYSELF . IF YOU ARE INTRIGUED OR JUST INTERESTED IN MAN AGAINS THE ELEMENTS ( and losing ) THIS IS ONE MORE TO ADD TO YOUR READING MUSTS .
Scary story of destructive weather
Isaac's Storm by Erik Larsen is a compelling read.It's the story of the events leading up to the 1900 hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas.The time was so different.Today we're starting to see the results of our indiscriminate destruction of the environment in the melting of the polar caps and global warming.In 1900, meteorologists were of the belief that someday they would be able to control the weather, stop hail, start rain, there was nothing they couldn't do.And they hoarded their responsibility and priviledge from any who might disagree.Into this political climate blew a storm that would change not only an entire city, but National Weather Bureau, but especially the people who lived through it.Larsen does an excellent job of building the timeline by focusing on just a few people to tell the tragedy.Occasionally he uses the tired technique of ending a chapter on a cliffhanger to heighten and maintain interest.It's not necessary; the story is powerful enough with cheesy literary devices.My only other complaint about the book is the lack of photographs.While it sounds gruesome, pictures of the city before and after the hurricane would help heighten the story.The Isaac in the title is Isaac Cline, head of the National Weather Bureau at the time who ignored the signs of the city's impending doom and suffered for it personally in many ways.This is a horrible story that still holds lessons for us today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Floods    4. Galveston    5. Galveston (Tex.)    6. History    7. History - U.S.    8. History: World    9. Hurricanes    10. Natural Disasters    11. Texas    12. United States - 20th Century    13. United States - 20th Century (1900-1945)    14. United States - General    15. United States - State & Local - South    16. History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (70)

Definitely kept my attention
This was my first E. Lynn Harris novel.I bought it because it was the only African American fiction at the airport I was in at the time.I completely finished the book over the course of my roundtrip flights, so it is definitely a page turner.Light, easy reading to take your mind off things.

Actually 2 and 1/2 stars
I love E. Lynn Harris!I own every book he's written and have been to all his book signings.This book was boring and seemed really personal.This is the worst book he's written.I still love E. Lynn though!

A favorite fan
I love all of E Lynn Harris novels, he is an outstanding author and his novels touches people from the inside out.Janie De Coster author of Man of My Dreams? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American bisexuals    2. African American gays    3. African Americans    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - General    7. Fiction - Romance    8. Gay    9. Literary    10. Political    11. Romance - General    12. Fiction / General    13. Gay men   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - World War II    6. Moscow, Battle of, Moscow, Russia, 1941-1942    7. Russia - History - 1917 To 1991    8. Soviet Union    9. World War II - Europe    10. History / Military / World War II   

Editorial Review

During the three years (1993-1996) Samantha Power spent covering the grisly events in Bosnia and Srebrenica, she became increasingly frustrated with how little the United States was willing to do to counteract the genocide occurring there. After much research, she discovered a pattern: "The United States had never in its history intervened to stop genocide and had in fact rarely even made a point of condemning it as it occurred," she writes in this impressive book. Debunking the notion that U.S. leaders were unaware of the horrors as they were occurring against Armenians, Jews, Cambodians, Iraqi Kurds, Rwandan Tutsis, and Bosnians during the past century, Power discusses how much was known and when, and argues that much human suffering could have been alleviated through a greater effort by the U.S. She does not claim that the U.S. alone could have prevented such horrors, but does make a convincing case that even a modest effort would have had significant impact. Based on declassified information, private papers, and interviews with more than 300 American policymakers, Power makes it clear that a lack of political will was the most significant factor for this failure to intervene. Some courageous U.S. leaders did work to combat and call attention to ethnic cleansing as it occurred, but the vast majority of politicians and diplomats ignored the issue, as did the American public, leading Power to note that "no U.S. president has ever suffered politically for his indifference to its occurrence. It is thus no coincidence that genocide rages on." This powerful book is a call to make such indifference a thing of the past. Read more

Reviews (165)

This is an awesome book
In this book Samantha Power focuses on the history of genocide in the 20th Century and the American government's responses in a way that goes beyond simply recounting the horrific details. By juxtaposing these two elements the book lead me to view this ever-current topic - the penchant to kill ethnicities - in a way that left me asking questions I'd never thought to ask before.
A devastating chronicle of 'reasonable' villains and 'unreasonable heroes'
June, 1989. Samantha Power, just finished with her freshman year at Yale, is working at CBS in Atlanta, preparing sports footage for the news. It's a dream job; she loves sports. Then, on the "feed" --- live, unedited footage, broadcast only within the network --- she sees Chinese troops attack students in Tiananmen Square. It's the most shocking thing she's ever seen. And she thinks, "Oh, my God. What am I doing with my life?"
Long read, well worth it!!!!!!!!!
I purchased ''A problem from hell'' in March and took me almost a month to finsh. But it was really worth it! Samantha Power walks us through the major genocides that happened in the past century. From the Killing fields in Cambodia(1975-1979)to the Killing fields in Rwanda(1994),she writes about America's responce to genocides and truth be told, we are inveloped in national self-intrest.She also examines of how the word genocide came to be and the creation of the genocide convention. For anyone who is interrested in foreign policy and human rights (as I am) this book is a must read!!!
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Foreign relations    3. Genocide    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: American    7. Holocaust    8. Political Discontent And Violence    9. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    10. Political History    11. U.S. History - 20th Century (General)    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. History / Holocaust   

Reviews (6)

Arose by any other name
First, let me say that Nelson's work is an excellent, well written, fast paced, general history read...but its title: "Benedict Arnold's Navy" is (at least in my opinion) quite misleading.
Read more like a military biography of Arnold
I enjoyed reading Benedict Arnold's Navy which covered the early years of the American Revolution in the north. Here for the brief period in our nation's history, we owed the arch-traitor of American history, a true debt of graditude for his skilled leadership, force of character and his total determination to the American cause. This book explained skillfully how Arnold deserves such acclodes and why a man who could have become one of our nation's greatest paragon of heroes, became one of its greatest Judas goats.
A Definitive and Very Readable Piece of History
James Nelson is an author to be envied if the notion of putting pen to paper and telling a story, whether it be fact or fiction has ever occurred to you. In the fourteen books he has written he has done both fiction and non-fiction superbly.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1741-1801    2. Arnold, Benedict,    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Naval    7. Military - United States    8. Naval operations    9. Revolution, 1775-1783    10. United States    11. United States - Revolutionary War    12. Valcour Island, Battle of, N.Y., 1776    13. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    14. History / Military / Naval    15. Naval forces & warfare    16. USA    17. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (1)

THE ULTIMATE US REVIEW
Thanks to this review book, I ended up with a 5! Our AP teacher called this "the review bible" and used this book constantly in class. It's even good for class tests! My friend was failing those until she started reviewing with this book...and her grade improved significantly. The best part of this book is the tests. They ask questions that are definetly comparable to AP level questions, and the best thing is to ALWAYS read the section that explains to you why you are right or wrong on a question. The sample essays are also very helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advanced Placement    2. Study Aids    3. Study Guides    4. Test Prep    5. United States - General    6. Study Aids / Advanced Placement   

Editorial Review

Look again at the title of this book: it's not a question, but a statement. "America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence," writes Dinesh D'Souza. "American life Read more

Reviews (215)

The West vs. the rest
What a surprise.From the title and cover art I was expecting a 4th of July - My country `tis of thee - stand at attention and salute book full of patriotic drivel. But this is a very substantial and thoughtful study of America's institutions and its critics. And the author has a gift for straightforward, easy to understand exposition.