Listening for the Crack of Dawn (American Storytelling) [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Donald Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1955 | Grade Level: P and up | Series: American Storytelling

Audiences at storytelling festivals worldwide are passionate about Donald Davis and his deceptively soft-edged Appalachian stories. Developed in oral performance, Davis'stories resonate in the experiences of his listeners and readers. The fourteen stories in this, his signature title, are so convincingly private as to be universal. The laughter, silent tears, and thunderous applause these stories elicit in live performance and the many repeat-buyers who give the book to friend after friend prompted us to commemorate them in this anniversary edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- A charming, humorous chronicle of Davis's coming of age in the 1950s and '60s. Time and place are vividly portrayed through such characters as Carrie Boyd, who in a shrill 6-six-year-old voice announced on the first day of school, "Look--that little boy wet his pants," thus beginning a long lasting love/hate relationship; Miss Daisy, a master teacher who taught every subject through imaginary travels; Dr. York and his miracle cure-all--a dose of molasses; and Daff-knee Garlic, the owner and operator of the "educational institution for teenagers in all of Nantahala County," the drive-in theatre. YAs who like nostalgia such as Ferrol Sams's Run with the Horseman (Peachtree, 1982), or to hear stories of people and places past from older relatives will enjoy this book. They will also see that certain elements of growing up are universal--only the time, place, and people's names change.
- Carol Clark, Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In the best oral tradition, retired minister Davis relates his youth in rural Appalachia in North Carolina in the 1950s. The author admits his reluctance to commit his stories to paper. He need not have worried. The result is a delightful memoir--warm and bittersweet--of his family, friends, and life experiences. At times humorous and at other times heartrending, the separate stories mesh together. The tales take Davis from grade school to high school, where he introduces readers to pals and principals, class toughs and teachers, family and friends. The author's frankness is refreshing, as is his ability to evoke in the reader similar experiences of a gentler age. Highly recommended for most libraries and essential for regional collections.
- Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: August House; Abridged edition (January 1, 1955)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874831474
• ISBN-13: 978-0874831474
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,656,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A keeper, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Listening for the Crack of Dawn (American Storytelling) (Audio Cassette)

I've read the book and listened to the audio cassette, and it's hard for me to pick which one I like more. The book has more stories, it's true, but the cassette has Donald's lovely Southern drawl. He has an infectious manner of telling that makes car trips--no matter how long or short--out and out fun. I've never laughed or cried so hard as at Listening for the Crack of Dawn. The last story, "A Different Drummer," is by far my favorite, since it makes me do both. Donald Davis is truly one of America's best storytellers, for kids, teenagers, and adults. Buy this title, in whatever format, and you won't be sorry!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donald Davis--Storyteller Extrordinaire!, September 24, 2001

By 

sherrienelson (Fresno, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listening for the Crack of Dawn (American Storytelling) (Audio Cassette)

I am buying Donald Davis' cassette, "THE CRACK OF DAWN" for the second time. I owned my first copy for many years until by stereo was stolen from my car and had Mr. Davis' tape in it. I had the privilege of meeting him at a storytelling festival at Cal State University, Los Angeles and heard this story in person. It is every bit as good on tape. Mr. Davis spins his yarn in such a mesmerizing way that you can almost see his Aunt Laura and hear the "Crack of Dawn."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donald Davis is a Great Storyteller!, July 20, 2002

By 

Paul Schmidt (Johnson City, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Listening for the Crack of Dawn (American Storytelling) (Audio Cassette)

Listening to the story is better than reading it. His accent and voice make the vivid stories come alive. His stories, about growing up in western North Carolina are nostalgic, yet the issues will appeal to anyone of any age. My children 9 and 15 love his tapes along with my 70 year old parents. He is one of our favorite people to listen to in the car on trips.