Hero Tales: How Common Lives Reveal the Uncommon Genius of America [Paperback]

H C Lodge (Author), Theodore Roosevelt Pre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Theodore Roosevelt proved that a political figure could also excel in military matters and literary endeavors. This work covers a most interesting list of heroes in American history, from Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark through various Revolutionary War participants, to activities during the Civil War. Daniel Boone will always occupy a unique place in our history as the archetype of the hunter and wilderness wanderer. He was a true pioneer, and stood at the head of that class of Indian-fighters, game-hunters, forest-fellers, and backwoods farmers who, generation after generation, pushed westward the border of civilization from the Alleghenies to the Pacific. As he himself said, he was "an instrument ordained of God to settle the wilderness.” Roosevelt was our 26th President and Lodge was a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, as well as Majority Leader. Good friends, Roosevelt’s wife suggested they write a book about their favorite Americans and moments in history. The result is this (audio) book of twenty-six stories that also provide some moral and practical lessons.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Hathaway Capstick, former Wall Street stockbroker turned professional adventurer, has been critically acclaimed as the successor to Hemingway and Ruark in African hunting literature. After hunting in Central and South America, Capstick went to Africa in 1968, where the New Jersey-born writer continues to live. He has held professional hunting licenses in four countries, and served as a game officer. He has written seven exciting books on Africa, including "Death in the Long Grass," "Peter Capstick's Africa," and "The Last Ivory Hunter: The Saga of Wally Johnson," He's also featured in an award-winning safari video and audio tapes.

From AudioFile

George Washington, Daniel Boone, and Stonewall Jackson are all players in this montage of early American history. What began as the authors' dinnertime tradition of sharing favorite stories became a joint venture to create a picture of the United States through the art of storytelling. Roosevelt and Lodge trace the period of the American Revolution through the Civil War by highlighting individuals who demonstrate valor and patriotism. Maurice England narrates this collection with stylistic ease and charm. He has a somewhat husky voice and speaks in a friendly tone. His relaxed pace moves the reader through these snapshots of American history. Taking on the role of storyteller, England faithfully captures the authors' writing style and creates a memorable audio experience. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581820631
• ISBN-13: 978-1581820638
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,966,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nation's Ultimate Resource--the common people, January 10, 2008

By 

Bill Greene - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hero Tales: How Common Lives Reveal the Uncommon Genius of America (Paperback)

This book made me think of Julian Simon's book "The Ultimate Resource" because they both build the argument that ordinary people determine the fate of nations. That is they build the successful societies, the very few free and prosperous nations that have shown the way for others to follow. In the early days of growing economies the drive and motivation of all citizens works for the common good. Climate and natural resources are secondary to the genius of the people who will always find a way if given the chance "to make it happen." That is why Julian Simon calls them "the ultimate resource." The stories of such individuals make up the basis of this very enlightening book by Lodge and Roosevelt.

The brief biographies of these uncommon commoners shows how the brilliance of American freedom found expression in its ordinary citizens. The authors avoid the failings of the academics who seek to rewrite history to accomodate current agendas--the latter deliberately manipulate history in order to manipulate the future course of their country. Too many current books paint the pioneers of America with their anti-American brush. But in these stories, Lodge and Roosevelt strip away all that modern re-write and clearly reveal the great opportunities and upward mobility that was available to all and that served the nation so well. Each story is full of new information about the lives and times of the characters and demonstrates the past strength of our cultural and religious beliefs.

There is a growing theory that the lesson of history--the explanation why some societies Rose and others stagnated, is simply a question of whether the bulk of the ordinary people had economic freedom. Only in free and open societies can all the people strive to contribute to the nation's success. And that massive and combined effort is what brought success. This theory has been summarized and dubbed "The Radzewicz Rule" in my recent book COMMON GENIUS: Guts, Grit, and Common Sense: How Ordinary People Create Prosperous Societies and How Intellectuals Make Them Collapse That book like the biographical stories by Lodge and Roosevelt recognizes that the famous and powerful characters of history often did more harm than good, and that the overwhelming forward progress was driven by the genius of common people.

This is definitely a book to read and re-read. It is a refreshing look back to the times when we had heroes--people who acted based on strong principles rather than expediency. It is to be noted that all those selected did good things--such individuals, fiercely independent and self-reliant, built the nation. (They never looked on themselves as "victims" of asked for a hand-out.) Such people do not ever cause a nation to decline, stagnate, or Fall. Today there is a new elite that have usurped the role of ordinary people, and that may be our downfall, but in this fine volume you can relive the exploits of those who helped create our great "city on a hill." Bill Greene

12 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hero To The People, January 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hero Tales: How Common Lives Reveal the Uncommon Genius of America (Paperback)

I learned so many possible things that TR has done for us and his country. In my opinion, TR was a hero. He established U.S. leadership in the world as no other president had before. He was truly amazing.