The American Century, Volume II [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio Cassette)

~ (Author), Ira Claffey (Reader), Gail Buckland (Contributor), Kevin Baker (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

First published as a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book, The American Century is a sweeping survey of the second 100 years of U.S. history as a republic18891989. It is an ambitious work that explores the most important forces driving modern U.S. history, which it constantly examines in the context of the world as a whole. This dual perspective emerges because author and journalist Evans is an immigrant from Britain who has been captivated by the energy and spirit of individual freedom he found in America. His book is clearly a labor of love. The four separate packages that comprise this production are labeled abridgments, but their combined 24 hours must constitute a large part of the original bookespecially since reader Ira Claffey speaks at an unusually fast pace. He is a smooth and spirited reader, but if this program has a fault it is that Claffey reads with too much energy, making it difficult to savor Evanss powerful prose. Recommended for all libraries with patrons hungry for good historical works on tape.R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The winds began to blow in the spring and summer of 1929. nobody took much notice. The stock market soared from peak to peak, and President Hoover foresaw a final triumph over poverty. But two storms, one environmental, one financial, were about to break over America -- with horrific consequences.

This program traces the devastation of the Dust Bowl, the migration of the Okies, the Great Depression, the advent of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal, and the subsequent period of recovery, celebrated in the song "Happy Days are Here Again." But the happiness would not last. Across the Atlantic, other storm clouds were gathering, and as American democracy was flourishing, German democracy was being crushed under the rule of the new chancellor of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler.

Again, America attempted to follow a course of isolation, separate from "Europe's war." Gut that war became ours with a vengeance on December 7, 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor. On that day of infamy, America was catapulted into a conflict that would determine the future course of civilization -- a conflict that finally ended with the sun-bright flare of a bomb called Little Boy.

Harold Evans, picture researcher Gail Buckland, and historical researcher Kevin Baker worked diligently to ensure accuracy throughout this landmark work. This audio program intrigues and involves, vividly bringing to life the power and passion of the American century, a century like no other.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Abridged edition (December 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559275251
• ISBN-13: 978-1559275255
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,194,370 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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