Alistair Cooke's America [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Alistair Cooke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1973

As the United States adjusts to its role as sole superpower in a world of shifting allegiances, it has never been more important to understand what makes the country work. It is 30 years now since Alistair Cooke's award-winning 'personal history of the United States' appeared on TV and in the bestseller lists. Since then empires have fallen, reputations have been made and lost and 'globalization' has entered the dictionary. Time is a stern test for historians and this highly perceptive and wonderfully readable account has proved itself a classic. ALISTAIR COOKE'S AMERICA traces the history of America from the eve of discovery by European explorers to modern times: the young nation fighting for independence and forging its identity; the indomitable spirit of those who set out to tame the West; the fate of slaves and their masters; the 'huddled masses' who came seeking a new life. For this new edition, Alistair Cooke has written an extensive 'note to the reader' compiled with the inimitable wisdom that has engaged his audiences and readers for over half a century.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This book is as much a monument to a vanishing civilisation as a history ofthe United States.' CONTEMPORARY REVIEW (Feb 03) 'Cooke knows full well thatthe US is no utopia, but is canny enough not to let that spoil the narrative- which is little short of a celebration ... Cooke presents the reader with a feast of erudition which serves only to elevate his reputation' SLN (Scottish Legion News) (Feb/March 03) * * * * 'It is almost thirty years since Alistair Cooke's celebrated America, which acompanied the marvellous TV series. Now comes a new edition, a splendid gift or an opportunity to replace the dog-eared original languishing on the shelf. Cooke's original text stands, for reasons he explains in his preface to this lavish re-issue.' BOOKS MAGAZINE (Dec --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Alistair Cooke is undeniably the Grand Old Man of correspondents. He first went to the United States in 1932 to study at Harvard and Yale and five years later embarked on his long career as a top-flight journalist, respected writer and well-loved broadcaster - his Letters from America have charmed and informed radio listeners around the world for nearly sixty years. He became an American citizen in 1941 and was made an honorary KBE in 1973. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf; 1st edition (September 12, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394487265
• ISBN-13: 978-0394487267
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,183,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry, July 4, 2003

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alistair Cooke's America (Paperback)

There are some books that are just so informative that no library should be without them. There are some books that are written so well that it is a positive joy to read the text. There are some people who have such a way of looking at the world that you feel comfort hearing them speak. There are people who have seen so much that their opinion is something you seek.

All of these traits are combined in this volume that only Foote's Civil War trilogy can compare with. The small stories that are routinely missed (such as the origin of "the real McCoy) and the relevence of these ordinary people making extrodinary things happen are coupled with the tales of the extraordinary people who had their ordinary vices. (Franklin's advice to take an older mistress because they are both more discreet and more grateful) Both named and unnamed he tells their tale as it fits in the piece of this puzzle of America

Unlike much of history which seems to have an agenda, Cooke's masterpiece is classical, telling a story of grandur without fawning and of warts without lambasting. It is a grand overview rather than a list of presidents, wars and laws. He captures the essense of what is importnat. It is as if he wished to give a consice guide to his compatriots in England of what facinates him about this land that he eventually settled as did many in his story.

It captures what America and Americans are very well and would be an excellent guide to any person who wants to understand us. With so many Americans ignorant of their own history it would be an even better guide to todays college or high school students to make them understand this land of their birth and how it came to be what it is.

This book is 30 years old as I write this (July 4th 2003) at the time he wrote this Cooke was in his 27th year of his Letter from America Broadcast for the BBC. When you finish this book you will find yourself wanting more. Have no fear Mr Cooke is now in his 57th year of his broadcasts telling the story of America 15 minutes at a time continues. Lets hope he dictates a sequel filling in these 30 years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Stiff Upper Lip Brit Here, October 31, 2006

By 

hille2000 "hille2000" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alistair Cooke's America (Paperback)

No stiff upper lip Brit here, not at all. As a transplanted British journalist Alistair Cooke who studied in America's Ivy League universities and then returned to America as a BBC correspondent seems to have been deeply affected and impressed by what he saw here. He stayed here and became a citizen. If the little man and his small cracker-barrel anecdotes represented the collective spirit of the country Alistair Cooke's fascination of the common man's philosophy captured that spirit simply and eloquently in his writings. This simple eloquent approach addressed and exposed the heart and feeling of the people that drove the great country for higher aspirations of the human experience. This is what he wrote about. His observations and examination of the Civil War capture the fervent feelings that Americans held be they morally right or wrong. Yet at the end of this struggle the common purpose of the people did not deter them to find their destiny in this land. The spirit never died and that is what Cooke seems to capture, explore and explain in such eloquent words.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Viewpoint, December 7, 2005

By 

R. Palmer (North of Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alistair Cooke's America (Hardcover)

Besides being a beautifully written, poetic portrait of America's history, the author's British background provides for a totally different perspective. This viewpoint provides a different insight on people and events that an American writer might not have grasped and that I found very interesting and refreshing.