A Time for Freedom [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Lynne Cheney (Author)

Book Description

"No one can fully appreciate the great fortune we have to be Americans without knowing the events that brought us to where we are today."

-- Lynne Cheney

Did you know that John Adams thought we would celebrate America's birthday on the second of July? That ten generals went on to become president? That our country has had nine different capitals, including Trenton, New Jersey, and Annapolis, Maryland?

Bestselling author and historian Lynne Cheney takes readers through America's story of freedom in this timeline of key moments in our history along with historic quotatons by great Americans and little-known facts about our country. Starting with our nation's beginnings, A Time for Freedom places the great events and figures of our history into context and shows the expansion of freedom in America. Filled with fascinating information that creates a textured journey through our nation's story, A Time for Freedom is a book that every family will want to share.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–From the arrival of early migrants from Asia more than 13,000 years ago to 9/11/01, this book presents a time line of American history. Entries are organized by year and range in length from single sentences to brief paragraphs. Although some scientific and cultural happenings are also highlighted, the focus is on political milestones. A unique strength of the volume is its inclusion of quotes from figures living at the time of the incidents described. Students will need guidance from parents, teachers, or other sources to understand the significance of these occurrences in establishing and maintaining our country's freedom and to place them in their larger historical context. The final chapters lean heavily toward Republican administrations. Ronald Reagan is quoted 11 times, while Bill Clinton is quoted 4 times and 2 of those refer to his private behavior rather than to events underscoring our nation's freedom. Small, black-and-white reproductions and photos are scattered throughout. While the information presented here is readily available in many other resources, this right-leaning volume offers a quick listing of key moments in American history.–Kathy Lehman, Thomas Dale High School Library, Chester, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. This stroll through history is rather unusual. It's not really a narrative. Year by year, important incidents from American history are described in short bursts (several lines or perhaps a paragraph) of straight information mixed with quotations. The tone is neutral, but editorial choices have been made in line with Cheney's political philosophy. For instance, the text noting that "the 1960s were a time of youthful idealism" mentions the Peace Corps and young people directing their hopes toward politics. It then excerpts the founding statement of the conservative Young Americans for Freedom, hardly one of the headlines of 1960. The book ends during the patriotic days after 9/11, thus avoiding the Iraq war and the intelligence failures surrounding it. The book's biggest problem is its format. Different typefaces and small photos add some interest, but the gray design doesn't encourage readers. Kids who like history may want to dip in and out of this, and readers less enamored with the topic may find history works for them in digestible bits. An extensive bibliography, including Web sites, will lead readers further. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416909257
• ISBN-13: 978-1416909255
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Cheney's most recent book is the New York Times bestseller, We the People: The Story of Our Constitution, illustrated by Greg Harlin. She is also the author of the New York Times bestsellers America: A Patriotic Primer, A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women, When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots, A Time for Freedom: What Happened When in America, and Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America, and has written a memoir, Blue Skies, No Fences. Mrs. Cheney is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Vice President Richard B. Cheney.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for adults and families, October 9, 2005

By 

Alexandra Ramirrez "Alex" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time for Freedom (Hardcover)

Lynne Cheney reveals her love for America's history and her commitment to scholarship in A Time for Freedom. A chronology of America's past from the arrival of the first Americans to the present day, this book presents the events that shaped our country in a way that is understandable and compelling. Cheney's organization of the book-it passes through history in date order, with short summaries of events instead of complicated explanations-gives the reader a sense of context that is rare in history literature, yet essential for understanding our national story. I learned that in 1968 alone, North Vietnam launched the Tet Offensive; assassins murdered Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy; police used tear gas against antiwar activists at the Chicago Democratic convention; and women protested the Miss America Pageant, in that order. Understanding this national suffering is surely necessary if we are to appreciate the hope that Neil Armstrong inspired across the country when, in early 1969, he became first person to walk on the moon!

Cheney has also filled the book with primary source quotations, images, and fascinating tidbits that, even as a college history student, I've never found anywhere else (for example, during World War II, Navajo Indians serving in the Marines used their native language to keep U.S. transmissions from being deciphered by the Japanese). Such rich information and captivating prose make A Time for Freedom the perfect gift for a student, a family, or (perhaps best of all), a busy adult who can't remember what she learned in American history class. I predict that this book will become a classic-and until then, I'm going to give it to everyone I know.

53 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource for All Ages, October 25, 2005

By 

History Buff (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time for Freedom (Hardcover)

This is a wonderfully written resource for anyone who wants to brush up on their American history. The "timeline" format allows the reader to follow multiple stories at the same time and understand the context in which they occurred. Mrs. Cheney's succinct prose is complemented by a compilation of interesting quotations from many of our country's most famous (and some not as famous but no less important) figures. This book is a great starting point for anyone looking to reacquaint themselves with our country's past. I find myself using it as a reference for placing specific events within a larger context, which has helped me gain a greater appreciation for the complex story of America. A great gift for graduating high school students or your favorite college grad, as well as for anyone who enjoys American history.

68 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book does more than just inform, October 25, 2005

By 

Soccer Mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time for Freedom (Hardcover)

Thank you once again to Lynne Cheney for caring enough to write a book for all of us who need to appreciate the history of our country more than we do. This book does more than just inform, it invites the average American to delight in the events that have contributed to the forming of our great America. I am proud to be an American and have watched friends and family make sacrifices for the freedom of all, but I remain one of the typical victims of the history snobs (otherwise known as history professors and experts) who cared more about impressing students with their high intellect than instilling a love for the history of our country in their students. Even at my age, after reading this book I am motivated to read more about some of the historical events presented in Mrs. Cheney's enlightening timeline. I am encouraged that a book like this can be given to young people and we can expect that their interest in historical events will be piqued. I plan to give this book to many people (young and old) as a gift to them and to all of us who want to see the pride and love of American history returned to its people! I highly recommend this book!