[***] ISBN: 9780060083816
A very quick, and sometimes interesting, survey of American History. Things get started with some tentative speculation about how the first (non-) indigenous peoples arrived, then picks up speed with the arrival of the first European explorers. If you already passed AmHist in high school and college, you already know this stuff. But it's a reasonable refresher course. Keep in mind that this is somewhat targeted at those with less than a college (or even high school?) education, so there are no big words or deep concepts.
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Sins of the City: The Real Los Angeles Noir (Jim Heimann)
[***] ISBN: 9780811823197
This is a concise portrait of Los Angeles during the noir period (1930s to 1950s) as captured by various news and other photographers. A short essay at the front sets the stage, but it's the photos that tell the story of a city growing up.
This is a concise portrait of Los Angeles during the noir period (1930s to 1950s) as captured by various news and other photographers. A short essay at the front sets the stage, but it's the photos that tell the story of a city growing up.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Life And Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir (Bill Bryson)
[***] ISBN: 9780739315231 (audio) ISBN: 9780375434303 (hardcover)
Bill Bryson grew up in the fifties in the mid-west. This is his story. I grew up in the sixties in the mid-west and west. A bunch of this is also my story.
In some ways, this is everyone's story. The whole idea of 'kidworld', with its own rules. The inexplicability of adults, especially relatives, and their world. The wonderfulness of creating your own entertainments, followed by television and popular culture taking over and defining our lives.
This is also the story of a disappearing way of life. Neighborhoods full of children playing outside, unchaperoned - vanishing. Cities full of distinctive neighborhoods, stores, and restaurants - homogenized by corporations.
I listened to the author reading his own work, and in this case, he pulled it off. Of course, it's his reminiscence. Even beneath the reading, the words were crafted with poetry and care. The book makes the people and places come alive again, in a distinctive and funny way. I do mark the book down a little (I took away a star) because there are several spots where the author turns a bit preachy on a subject or two, diverting the otherwise delightful stream of memories. Otherwise, I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a flavor of growing up in the fifties.
Bill Bryson grew up in the fifties in the mid-west. This is his story. I grew up in the sixties in the mid-west and west. A bunch of this is also my story.
In some ways, this is everyone's story. The whole idea of 'kidworld', with its own rules. The inexplicability of adults, especially relatives, and their world. The wonderfulness of creating your own entertainments, followed by television and popular culture taking over and defining our lives.
This is also the story of a disappearing way of life. Neighborhoods full of children playing outside, unchaperoned - vanishing. Cities full of distinctive neighborhoods, stores, and restaurants - homogenized by corporations.
I listened to the author reading his own work, and in this case, he pulled it off. Of course, it's his reminiscence. Even beneath the reading, the words were crafted with poetry and care. The book makes the people and places come alive again, in a distinctive and funny way. I do mark the book down a little (I took away a star) because there are several spots where the author turns a bit preachy on a subject or two, diverting the otherwise delightful stream of memories. Otherwise, I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a flavor of growing up in the fifties.
Labels:
***,
audio,
biography,
history,
non-fiction
Monday, August 07, 2006
A Bridge Too Far (Cornelius Ryan)
[***]
This is the rugged, true and tragic history of Operation: Marketgarden. Mr. Ryan does a grand job of introducing us to the men involved in this operation, from the generals down to the cooks. The only trouble is that this is the largest operation of World War II and there are just too darn many of them to keep straight. So you just have to slog forward (somewhat like they did) and trust in the author. With that in mind, you are treated to the grand sweep of the plan, the infeasibility of key parts of it and the personal cost and valor involved in attempting it. Good maps and photos, too.
This is the rugged, true and tragic history of Operation: Marketgarden. Mr. Ryan does a grand job of introducing us to the men involved in this operation, from the generals down to the cooks. The only trouble is that this is the largest operation of World War II and there are just too darn many of them to keep straight. So you just have to slog forward (somewhat like they did) and trust in the author. With that in mind, you are treated to the grand sweep of the plan, the infeasibility of key parts of it and the personal cost and valor involved in attempting it. Good maps and photos, too.
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