Don't Know Much About History - Updated and Revised Edition [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Kenneth C. Davis (Author), Jeff Woodman (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2005

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling New York Times bestseller that launched the entire Don’t Know Much About® series.

When Don't Know Much About® History first appeared, it created a sensation. With humor, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought Americans a fresh new take on history. Davis proved Americans don't hate history–they just hate the dull version they were force-fed in school.

In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the moment–covering such topics as the end of the Cold War, Clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to September 11.

Incorporation new research and discoveries, Davis also updates and expands on such long-standing American controversies as the Hiss trial, and he includes an expanded "civics-lesson" that examines some of America's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty and school prayer.

For history buffs and history-phobes alike, Davis proves once more why People magazine said that listening to him "is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

KENNETH C. DAVIS is the author of The New York Times bestselling DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT series for adults. Dubbed the "King of Knowledge" by Amazon.com, he lives in New York City and Vermont with his wife and their two children.

From AudioFile

DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY was the first of what's now a series of books educating the public about complex topics through an accessible question-and-answer format. Here author Kenneth Davis has extensively revised the first edition. The revision was driven by questions from past readers, and this gives a great deal of energy to the book. The narrators work hard to communicate Davis's passion. They seem to really be asking the questions and to be driving home the follow-up questions as if the details deeply mattered, which, of course, they do. Passages from historical texts provide a counterpoint, anchoring Davis's answers within historical periods and letting listeners hear bits of period perspective. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (November 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739317717
• ISBN-13: 978-0739317716
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 2.2 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I do Know Much About History!, February 16, 2006

By 

Joan (Bloomfield, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Know Much About History - Updated and Revised Edition (Audio CD)

The audio version is an excellent way to learn about American History. Very thorough coverage organized in a question and answer format. Not at all dry or dull because it contains lots of interesting snippets about personalities and trivia. Easy to navigate between different sections and replay bits. I just loaded several discs into the car at once and listened to it on the go.

I would highly recommend this product.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Starting place for people wanting to brush up on US history, November 25, 2006

By 

Anita Jacob (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Know Much About History - Updated and Revised Edition (Audio CD)

Okay, I have to be honest. I am one of those Americans who really don't know much about US history. Well at least, I am willing to admit it. My kids are starting school soon so I thought this is the best time to brush up on my history (just in case it comes up when they have Homework questions). Also, I have a pretty long commute so I decided to get this audio version (it's about 20 CDS long). It starts off with Colonial America and ends at the current Bush administration.

PROS: Great chronological timeline of events. And I liked the whole question/answer format. I also liked the sections on Native Americans and Black History. At the end of each section, there are additional book recommendations that offer deeper perspectives of the subject.

CONS: They had a couple of actors who actually read out speeches/ conversations of some prominent Americans (JFK, Carter, Washington, Martin Luther King JR) but the problem was that the voices ALL sounded the same. What kind of "acting" is that??

Overall, I though it was time and money well spent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RLH, September 13, 2007

By 

Ann Helms (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Know Much About History - Updated and Revised Edition (Audio CD)

Well this is my first review and I will say the audio version (I also have the book) is fantastic. If you are looking for an easy way to brush-up or familiarize yourself with history, this will do it. The "reader" is great, the "other readers" are, as noted in a previous review, well ... lacking. Pretty much everyone from Columbus to JFK to MLK sound like an odd cross between Thurston Howell the Third (Gilligan's Island fame) and Captain Kirk - cant imagine it, well, you'll see. It nonetheless is, including this fault, a fantastic reading of a very good history book that is very easy to listen to - and I am not really a history fan.
Cheers.