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Loading... 1001 Events That Made America: A Patriot's Handbookby Alan Axelrod
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. Mr. Alan Axelrod has written a useful guide for those interested in short snippets of information when reading history...i.e., students or casual readers not interested in bulky tomes. This is not to say that I did not appreciate the book, because I did. But overall it does not live up to it's subtitle of "A Patriot's Handbook." Again though, as a library worker it is a title to keep in mind when assisting people find a reference source on Am. History. ( )A good read. I found the author to be a little biased in his reporting of some facts, but he warned of such in the forward. This book is an excellent resource for American historical facts and dates. Though the book suggests that the earth is at least 40,000 years old, the rest of the information is very helpful. Each date provides a very brief account of the major corresponding event. This is a cute idea that doesn't live up to its potential. As a history buff I was disappointed by the disproportionate attention to the events of the 20th & 21st centuries. There were 130 pages that addressed 40,000 BC to 1899. This was followed by 140 pages covering 1900 to 2005. When I think about the "events that made America" the past has a bit more weight than that. I also found the interjection of opinion to be more and more pronounced as events moved forward in time. This book is interesting as something to browse. It would have more value for reference purposes if it were indexed. (I see from another review that the copy of the book they have is indexed. Mine is not.) This small book is a good place for someone who is starting to learn about U.S. history. It is a compilation of various important events by date. It is in the format of an outline with a short narrative after each event. So those that find a time in U.S. history interesting will know how to find a book that goes into depth on the time period. It is not designed for the historian, but is a good collection of talking points for conversation on events that affected the U.S. I found it useful that there is an index arranged alphabetically in the back by subject matter or persons of interest. So if you know of an event or the name of a historical figure you will be able to find what you are looking for. 0.032 seconds to build listing
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0792253078, Hardcover)For some, patriotism means flags and parades, for others it's "My country right or wrong." But it's much more than that, and as Alan Axelrod observes in this revealing review of our history, true patriotism is built on a bedrock of understanding—who we are as individuals and as a nation, how our ideals and our democracy have evolved, and what it really means to be an American. It's a challenge that calls for an open mind and a clear perspective on the people, events, and issues that shaped our society—and that's just what 1001 Events That Made America provides.This handy, informative chronology of key events in our history sweeps from 45,000 B.C., when the first intrepid Asians crossed the Bering land bridge to populate North America, to the 21st century, which finds us the richest and most powerful country in the world—a prodigious, panoramic journey marked out by more than 1,000 milestones and turning points, each explained in concise, lively detail. From Plymouth Rock to Pearl Harbor, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, from George Washington to George W. Bush, we learn what happened, who was involved, and why it's important. Axelrod, author of the popular What Every American Should Know About American History, has a wonderful knack for capturing powerful ideas, towering figures, and definitive moments with a memorable turn of phrase, and by the time readers follow him step by step from our past to our present, they'll have come a long way towards a real and rewarding answer to the question: What is a patriot? (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:57 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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