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Title: The Best and the Brightest
Author: David Halberstam
Narrator: David Clennon
Format: Abridged
Length: 3 hrs and 1 min
Language: English
Release date: 05-07-07
Publisher: Random House Audio
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 195 votes
Genres: History, American
Publisher's Summary:
Using portraits of America's flawed policy makers and accounts of the forces that drove them, The Best and the Brightest reckons magnificently with the most important abiding question of our country's recent history: Why did America become mired in Vietnam, and why did we lose? As the definitive single-volume answer to that question, this enthralling audiobook has never been superseded. It is an American classic.
Critic Reviews:
"[The] most comprehensive saga of how America became involved in Vietnam." (The Boston Globe)
"[Robert McNamara] contends the story of how 'the best and brightest' got it wrong in Vietnam has not been told. But David Halberstam, who applied that ironic phrase to his rendering of the tale 23 years ago, told it better." (New York Times Book Review)
"Deeply moving...We cannot help but feel the compelling power of this narrative....Dramatic and tragic, a chain of events overwhelming in their force, a distant war embodying illusions and myths, terror and violence, confusions and courage, blindness, pride, and arrogance." (Los Angeles Times)
Members Reviews:
Unabridged, please
This audio is really only a brief overview of this completely absorbing book. After listening to this abridged version (why abridge a good book?) I had to run to the library for the real thing. A must read (the book, unabridged) for any one interested in politics. Abridged audio will hook you to the book.
Three hours? More of a Podcast than a real book.
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
A shame and disappointment that this great author was abridged to 3 hours. "Book" was more of a podcast than a book. Audible should not charge the regular price.
Why does audible still release abridged books????
This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?
The books is excellent. I read it years ago and wanted to experience it again in light of the current administration's missteps but when the book raced through details and ended in three hours, I was enraged. This is a huge book. Written in minute detail about complex people and issues. That it was abridged felt like a slap in the face from audible - a service I adore for the most part. This, however, was an absolute waste of a credit.
What was most disappointing about David Halberstams story?
It was abridged.
Which character as performed by David Clennon was your favorite?
Performance was excellent. I wanted more. Esp his JFK impression.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Rage. Because it was abridged.
Any additional comments?
DON'T. ABRIDGE. YOUR. BOOKS. or Have a special "abridged" section for people that want the Cliffs Notes. I wish I could get a refund. This was so profoundly disappointing.
Abridged version
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
I did not realize that this was an abridged version of the book. I'm very disappointed.
What was most disappointing about David Halberstams story?
Not the story, the Audible is abridged.
forwards & intros missing from Audible version
I had read this decades ago. I would have been interested in the "new" John McCain forward as advertised. But it is missing from the Audible version as is the original forward and original introduction. These perspectives are essential to understanding the reason for this book.
