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Title: American Rhapsody

Subtitle: Writers, Musicians, Movie Stars, and One Great Building

Author: Claudia Roth Pierpont

Narrator: Pilar Witherspoon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-16

Publisher: Recorded Books

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Ranging from the shattered gentility of Edith Wharton's heroines to racial confrontation in the songs of Nina Simone, American Rhapsody presents a kaleidoscopic story of the creation of a culture. Here is a series of deeply involving portraits of American artists and innovators who have helped to shape the country in the modern age. Claudia Roth Pierpont expertly mixes biography and criticism, history and reportage, to bring these portraits to life and to link them in surprising ways. It isn't far from Wharton's brave new women to F. Scott Fitzgerald's giddy flappers and on to the big-screen command of Katharine Hepburn and the dangerous dames of Dashiell Hammett's hard-boiled world. The improvisatory jazziness of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue has its counterpart in the great jazz baby of the New York skyline, the Chrysler Building. Questions of an American acting style are traced from Orson Welles to Marlon Brando while the new American painting emerges in the gallery of Peggy Guggenheim. And we trace the arc of racial progress from Bert Williams' blackface performances to James Baldwin's warning of the fire next time, however slow and bitter and anguished this progress may be.

American Rhapsody offers a history of 20th-century American invention and genius. It is about the joy and profit of being a heterogeneous people and the immense difficulty of this human experiment.

Members Reviews:

Gods but not a rhapsody

A well written and enjoyable book, presenting a series of mini-biographies of some of Americaâs leading artists of the last century. Their stories are connecting - if barely - by the common theme of struggle with demons, both internal and external, to achieve an artistic vision in the land of opportunity. However, If the author hoped to convince this reader that each of her subjects had a significant impact on American society, she failed in that endeavor. It seemed to me that each (with the exception of James Baldwin) was more a product of our culture than a shaper of it. Nevertheless, I liked the book and found myself wanting more when I finished it.

Rhapsodic, insightful, richly humane portraits of American artists and artistry

It's hard to imagine that anyone but Claudia Roth Pierpont could have tackled the subjects in this collection in their startling variety--from Edith Wharton to Nina Simone--or nailed, as she does, the specificity of each one. Pierpont balances warmth and compassion with a sharp (occasionally withering!) critical eye.

Pierpont makes the perfect guide to a particular moment in twentieth-century American culture when, perhaps, the promise of America was first fulfilled. This is a collection about "the joy and profit of being an invented and heterogenous people," as she puts it, but this does not mean that the very real challenges faced by many of the books protagonists--women, Jews, African Americans--are swept under the rug. On the contrary, Pierpont shows that those difficulties make the achievements all the more remarkable, and indeed imbued them with their distinctive character. (Her attention to prejudice and racism allows readers to measure the distance traveled between then and now, and the book ends with essays on James Baldwin and Simone.)

Above all, however, this book is a celebration; the prose is lyrical and assured.

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Title: Learn and Understand World War 2

Author: IntroBooks

Narrator: Andrea Giordani

Format: Unabridged

Length: 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-18-16

Publisher: IntroBooks

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

World War II was the most dangerous and destructive war in history. It cost more cash, harmed more property, executed more individuals, and generated more changes than any other war has ever managed to. The nation with the biggest number of WWII casualties was Russia, with 21,300,000. More Russians (both military and civilians) lost their lives amid the Siege of Leningrad than did American and British fighters that joined in all of WWII.

This book contains all of the events, causes, and aftermaths of WWII in a nutshell. The war was brought about generally in light of the fact that Germany and Japan were not pleased with the way the geopolitical framework was set up after the end of World War One. Germany was not satisfied with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which stipulated that they couldn't raise major military forces; it also took parts of their region away, and made them pay war reparations.

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Title: Soviet Leaders and Intelligence

Subtitle: Assessing the American Adversary During the Cold War

Author: Raymond L. Garthoff

Narrator: Will Tulin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-12-16

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

During the Cold War, the political leadership of the Soviet Union avidly sought intelligence about its main adversary, the United States. Although effective on an operational level, Soviet leaders and their intelligence chiefs fell short when it came to analyzing intelligence.

There were, however, important changes over time. Ultimately, the views of an enlightened Soviet leader, Gorbachev, trumped the ideological blinders of his predecessors and the intelligence service's dedication to an endless duel with their ideologically spawned main adversary, making it possible to end the Cold War.

Raymond Garthoff draws on over five decades of personal contact with Soviet diplomats, intelligence officers, military leaders, and scholars during his remarkable career as an analyst, senior diplomat, and historian. He also builds on previous scholarship and examines documents from Soviet and Western archives. Soviet Leaders and Intelligence offers an informed and highly listenable assessment of how the Soviets understood, and misunderstood, the intentions and objectives of their Cold War adversary.

Critic Reviews:

"Mr. Garthoff is uniquely qualified for such a study." (

The Washington Times)

"Raymond L. Garthoff has been the towering dean of experts on Soviet foreign policy for more than half a century. He now provides a definitive and fascinating account of how intelligence as distinct from other influences did, and more to the point often did not, shape the views of Moscow's leaders as they interacted with their American adversary." (Richard K. Betts, Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies and Columbia University)

"Raymond Garthoff is unmatched in his knowledge of Soviet leaders and Soviet intelligence." (Robert Jervis, Columbia University)

Members Reviews:

waxing nostalgic on the Litvinov-Maisky era

It's fascinating the way the author develops his theory, or rather hypothesis on the pre-Putin era thrust and parry between the two super powers. Is it true the current confrontation between the two countries is nothing like a declaration of cold war? The author stays mum on whether the Russian leader Putin would someday be proven to be a worst "Ogre in his Den," as Clementine Churchill once berated Stalin.

Hardcover Edition Not Worth the Cost

I haven't read it yet, but this book (booklet actually might be a better term) isn't worth the price, at least for the hardcover edition. Fifty dollars for just over 100 pages of actual text is a little steep. Of the advertised 160 pages, 36 are notes and the index, and another 12 are the introduction and appendixes. You can buy it used, maybe, but certainly don't pay full price.

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Title: Jesse Owens, Adolf Hitler and the 1936 Summer Olympics

Subtitle: 30 Minute Book Series

Author: Doug West

Narrator: Gregory Diehl

Format: Unabridged

Length: 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-16

Publisher: C & D Publications

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Both Jesse Owens and Adolf Hitler grew up in poverty, and both men struggled to find their footing later in life. Owens represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics, after which he found it difficult to sustain a well-paying job. Adolf Hitler moved to Vienna as a teenager, following his parents' death, but he never found the financial success he so desperately craved as an artist. He spent most of his time in the city a penniless, unemployed young man.

The similarities between the two men end there. While Adolf Hitler became angered and enraged by his circumstances and by the fate of Germany following the First World War, Jesse Owens went out of his way to help people. Even when he faced the cruelty of racism in the United States, Owens saw the best in others. He spent most of his days working with children and teenagers, making a conscious effort to give them the guidance and support they needed to enact positive change in the world. In contrast, Hitler turned to hatred, divisiveness, and conflict in his attempts to change the world in his image.

Owens was an open-minded man who spent his life bettering the lives of his family and the community at large. Even when others asked him to denounce the racist tendencies of Adolf Hitler, he chose to grudgingly respect the German leader. Meanwhile, Hitler's experiences only fueled his hatred of anyone who was not Aryan and German.

In this book we will explore the lives of both men leading up to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Then we will take a closer look at the effects of that summer on the rest of their years.

Welcome to the ninth book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast paced, well written, and accurate, covering the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can listen to the full book. The text is a perfect companion for your lunch hour or perhaps a nice distraction on your train ride home from work.

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Title: Flashback: 50 Events That Shaped History

Author: Go Entertain

Narrator: Dennis E. Morris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-16

Publisher: Go Entertainment Group Ltd

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Covers 50 seminal events, from the Wright Brothers to the moon landing, and from conquering Everest to beating apartheid.

Step back in time with Flashback: 50 Events That Shaped History, a fascinating look back at the 20th century's most memorable moments. Whether it's walking up Everest, walking on the Moon or walking to freedom with Nelson Mandela, this publication provides instant access to the most important events in the world's recent history.

Members Reviews:

The period of time covered is between 1901 and 1995, and some of the events may have changed world history but most did not

I found the book Flashback: 50 Events That Shaped History to be interesting. This book is written from a British-centric point of view and only covered events between 1901 and 1995. The events covered started with the death of Queen Victoria and ended with the Oklahoma City bombing. The majority of the events covered are American or American related. To me the events covered may have changed the history of the country or countries involved; but, the events were not necessarily world changing. In any case, the writing was satisfactory and it was interesting to look at events that this author felt changed history. I like the writing well enough to read other books by this author.

Not super interesting. Wish I had not purchased the listening

Cut and dried. Not super interesting. Wish I had not purchased the listening version

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Title: Oradour: Villages des Martyrs

Author: James Stephens

Narrator: Robert V. Gallant

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-29-16

Publisher: Stephen Briggs

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

At the heart of the Haute Vienne region of France, there is a village some 10 km from Limoges. The name of this village is Oradour sur Glane. On the 10th of June, 1944, this quaint village was the scene of a barbaric massacre, at the hands of the evil Nazis. Over 150 heavily armed SS soldiers entered this peaceful village and rounded up 642 men, women, and children. After hearing false reports that they were part of the resistance movement, upon orders, these vile men systematically murdered these innocent civilians, with few survivors! Before fleeing the scene, they torched the village, in an attempt to erase the atrocities. Under orders of France's General de Gaulle, the remains of the village have been preserved, as a reminder of what happened on that fateful day.

Members Reviews:

Well written and narrated!

Would you listen to Oradour: Villages des Martyrs again? Why?

Yes! The story is tragic, but told in good detail. The narrator's ability to pronounce the French words within the text added to the feel of being in France, where the story took place. Bravo!

Well done

To this day I regret not going to Oradour the last time I was in France. But this book has brought this martyred village back to life. The reader is quite excellent as he tells the story of this doomed village and its inhabitants as the German threat looms over them. To say I enjoyed this book would be incorrect. Rather, I was captivated.

Oradour: Villages des Martyrs--Superb in Every Way

If you could sum up Oradour: Villages des Martyrs in three words, what would they be?

gripping and tragic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Oradour: Villages des Martyrs?

The initial surprised reaction to the attack and destruction is touching and articulate.

What about Robert V. Gallants performance did you like?

Robert V. Gallant's voice has a wise and mature resonance--an expressiveness appropriate to the sad events at Oradour. His voice carries the narrative forward and holds the listener from start to finish.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Well done. I would be interested to know of future books narrated by Mr. Gallant.

The Truth?

I have known of the story of Oradour since I watched the first episode of World at War many years ago. It is not a story told in our history classes so I picked up this audible book to learn more. I do think the author glossed over the massacre itself. And I am sure there is more to the story to be revealed when the archives are opened long after I am gone.

However I don't believe the Nazis were going out of their way to help women out of the burning Church. I think they may have erred on the selection of which town named Oradour as well as been angry at the death of 4-5 of their comrades. I am sure the Germans felt that killing 640 to avenge 5 was great Hitlerian math.

The story was definitely worth listening to.

Orodour as a real village.

The horrific story is told without over dramatisation.

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Title: Tippy: Tales of Flying Sergeants

Subtitle: Enlisted Fighter Pilots in WWII

Author: Michael G. Uva

Narrator: Kelly Rhodes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-11-16

Publisher: MICHAEL G. UVA

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

How does a backwoods, lowly, enlisted mechanic become a - P-51 - ace fighter pilot?

Based on the story of an enlisted marine who flew a P-51 aircraft during WWII. (Normally, only Commissioned Officers were pilots.) These "enlisted" pilots fought like hellions in air battles in the European and South Pacific theaters against greater trained enemy pilots and superior aircraft. They showed tenacity, guts, and heart in a belief they could stem the tide of tyranny. They crammed their bodies into tiny aircraft, and then hurled themselves across the skies, to protect America!

I wrote Tippy as a tribute to a Master Gunnery Sergeant Tippy that I had the pleasure and honor to have served with while I was enlisted in the Marines. I flew a few times as his crew chief.

Only Officers were supposed to be pilots. But despite discrimination, over 2,575 enlisted men are officially, "In the books!" as Pilots. These men flew under the banner of "Sergeant Pilots". Chuck Yeager, Carroll Shelby, and Walter Beech all started out as enlisted men.

These heroes are now lovingly referred to as, "Flying Peons".

Members Reviews:

WOW!

If you could sum up Tippy: Tales of Flying Sergeants in three words, what would they be?

Mike & Kelly did a wonderful job!

What did you like best about this story?

The part about the fight in the alley...Funny!

What about Kelly Rhodess performance did you like?

WONDERFUL!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part where Yoshi explains he was there too.

Any additional comments?

You have to listen for yourself.

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Title: Adolf Hitler: The Bigot of the Jews

Author: Andrew Klein

Narrator: Jim Johnston

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-04-16

Publisher: WE CANT BE BEAT LLC

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Often depicted in modern literature as the savage lunatic who plunged the world into the last World War, Adolf Hitler's name has been on the tongues of historians, psychologists, economists, and laymen for ages. Many have painted a picture of this man using lies, conjectures and other forms of manipulation to give most of the western world the impression that Hitler was the epitome of Lucifer himself. A few others have hailed him as a godsend and a man who was worthy of praise. Very few authors have attempted to portray a wholesome picture of Adolf Hitler, so that listeners can come to conclusions by themselves.

In this book, we will look at Hitler's story from all possible angles. We will step into the world of a man who was very passionate about his beliefs; a man who rose to great power during his time and a man whose actions started one of the worst wars this world has ever seen. In this book, we will analyze the captivating life of Adolf Hitler himself and I will leave you with the final call to pass judgment or praise.

Join me in this journey to unravel the hidden truths about Adolf Hitler's life. Grab your copy now, and secure your seat in the journey to the past!

Members Reviews:

Typical Allied propoganda.....

Another typical book about the man who fought the bank and freed his people. Funny it starts out talking about the infidelities of the Hitler family and supposed inbreeding.... Very clearly propoganda, the sad thing is people actually believe this garbage

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Title: Witness for Peace: A Story of Resistance

Author: Ed Griffin-Nolan

Narrator: Joseph B. Campo

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-16

Publisher: Ed Griffin-Nolan

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

In this graphic, thought-provoking book, Ed Griffin-Nolan depicts the experiences of Witness for Peace (WFP), a group of Americans who bore witness to the war in Nicaragua - an event that resulted in the killing and wounding of many innocent Central American civilians. Griffin-Nolan explains how WFP participants spent weeks in the war zones in order to understand the impact of US policy on simple people living, as one member of the group phrased it, "at the end of a gun barrel." He describes how WFP participants labored to bring stories of war back to the United States, and how many of them lost their jobs and even their marriages in the process. He concludes by showing that the efforts of WFP saved lives and possibly prevented another Vietnam from developing in Central America.

Members Reviews:

witness for peace, a pacifist's manual...

I haven't finished the book yet, ... but I really liked the courageous stories that it told. It breaks my heart what happened, .. but I'm proud to read of how so many tried to stop it. I feel bad that so many people bought the Reagan administration's myth that communism is so horrid, it's worth it to try and anihilate people who live in its path. How dumb can people be to buy that garbage?

I wish WITNESS FOR PEACE were required reading in all high schools and junior highs... Maybe we wouldn't have had the fiasco that was George W. Bush, if we'd learned our lessons from Nicaragua, .. or if Iraq had been closer and the witnesses had gone there too. People really need to wake up and see war for what it is: a chicken hawk's way to make you or your kid die for their financial gain. Sick, but that's what the bottom line is. Nobody can die for their own freedom, it's physically impossible. And people who say FREEDOM isn't FREE, drive me the most nuts. Freedom HAS THE WORD FREE IN IT!@ Of course freedom is FREEEEEEE! It's OIL that's not free, it's Gasoline that's not free, !!!, ... it's politicians like W Bush who aren't free. Did he do one thing for California in his 8 years in office? Probably not... we didn't give him any money, why would want to help us or listen to us, .. or god forbid, learn from us? Oh no, .. he's rather see the world heat up,m ... etc etc etc etc I'm rambling, sorry, .. mg.

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Title: Classic Cars

Subtitle: A Profile of History's Most Iconic Marques

Author: Go Entertain

Narrator: Jim Woods

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-16

Publisher: Go Entertainment Group Ltd

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Profiles each car, including its design, specs, and history

Lamborghini, Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce - true legends of the open road. For decades, car manufacturers have constantly developed innovative ideas that push the boundaries of motoring design and performance. Take an in-depth look at some of the most desirable and iconic cars to have been built in the history of automotive design in all their majestic glory, with this superb publication.