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Title: Hard Tack and Coffee

Author: John D. Billings

Narrator: Jim Roberts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-28-06

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

First published more than 100 years ago, Hard Tack and Coffee is John Billings' absorbing account of the everyday life of a U.S. Army soldier during the Civil War. It is written by a person who would know the material best, a genuine Civil War soldier.

©1992 Jimcin Recordings

Editorial Reviews:

United States Civil War veteran John D. Billings' Hard Tack and Coffee first hit the best-seller list way back in 1888, and has ever since been considered by historians to be a peerless source of information about the humdrum lives of soldiers fighting in one of the most brutal periods of conflict in US history.

Jim Roberts takes care to draw out Billings' characteristic humor in his performance of this work, clearly articulating Billings' tales of his day-to-day life and activities as a Union soldier. This work may be of special interest to Civil War reenactors, who will find it full of vivid details about the mundaneness of a soldier's life beyond the battlefield.

Critic Reviews:

"His account is often full of humor as he describes soldiers' rations, fights with lice, and camp songs. Narrator Roberts does a good job overall." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Hard Tack & Coffee

I enjoy history so this was very enlightening regarding the lives and trevails that our soldiers on both sides had to endure. There were many hardships that I don't think people understand in modern times. Gives lots of insite on how we lived and defended our nation during the Civil War.

Good, dry information

I purchased this title expecting to get a plain, matter-of-fact account of the day-to-day life of a civil war soldier. I was not disappointed.

If you are at all intrigued with the civil war and would like to hear a good first person account, you can probably "soldier" through this, but keep in mind there was no attempt made to make this material interesting to the average person.

The reader was as dry as the content.

The information was very complete, which is why I give it a high rating.

Great insight!

This book offers great insight into the civil war soldiers experience. It's a great book.

great information For historian and reenactor.

this book is an essential book for anyone who is interested in life of the Union civil war soldier. I am a reenactor and have re read this book several times in hopes to understand every little aspect of army life between 1861 and 1865.

Better than I thought!

If you could sum up Hard Tack and Coffee in three words, what would they be?

Really damn interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

The story told of many details about day to day life in the Union Army that I didn't know. Interesting stuff.

What does Jim Roberts bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

A decent tone of voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It's not really a good book for a film, unless it was a documentary.

Any additional comments?

Super interesting.

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Title: The Scratch of a Pen

Subtitle: 1763 and the Transformation of North America

Author: Colin G. Calloway

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-17-06

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 64 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

In February, 1763, Britain, Spain, and France signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the French and Indian War. In this one document, more American territory changed hands than in any treaty before or since. As the great historian Francis Parkman wrote, "half a continent...changed hands at the scratch of a pen."

Most Americans know the significance of the Declaration of Independence or the Emancipation Proclamation, but not the Treaty of Paris. Yet 1763 was a year that shaped our history just as decisively as 1776 or 1862. This captivating book shows why.

The Pivotal Moments in American History series seeks to unite the old and the new history, combining the insights and techniques of recent historiography with the power of traditional narrative. Each title has a strong narrative arc with drama, irony, suspense, and most importantly great characters who embody the human dimension of historical events. The general editors of Pivotal Moments are not just historians; they are popular writers themselves, and, in two cases, Pulitzer Prize winners: David Hackett Fischer, James M. McPherson, and David Greenberg. We hope you like your American History served up with verve, wit, and an eye for the telling detail!

Critic Reviews:

"Spellbinding....First-rate cultural history." (Publishers Weekly) "Imbued with cultural erudition and diplomatic insight." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Poor account - there are better

If you want to read about the French and Indian War and the aftermath, skip this poor book and instead get "The War That Made America: A Short History of the French and Indian War (Unabridged)", also on audible and with the same narrator. This book is very poorly written and constructed, and treats the Indians as a bunch of cartoon "noble savages" rather than examining the different tribes as different people (who often fought each other). The first 45 minutes is just telling you (twice!) what the next 5.5 hours will hold (and then it doesn't deliver). No narritive structure, no compelling story, nothing worth listening to.

Lacked sparkle

I was disppointed in the author's style, rather than in the facts -- even understanding that it's a political history. Rather dry. I feel the author's work didn't live up to the scope of his project, and it failed to convey the depth of the impact of the treaty, although it includes many anncedotes and details. Read a bit like an undergraduate's thesis. But because of the details, I would recommend it for listeners who aren't also looking for style.

A truly excellent scholarly account.

Any additional comments?

An excellent scholarly treatment of the multifarious outfalls of the Treaty of Paris of 1763, with particular reference to the influence of the cession to Britain of French-claimed lands between the Appalachians and the Great Lakes and Mississippi.

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Title: Chavez Ravine

Author: Culture Clash

Narrator: Zilah Mendoza, Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas

Format: Original Recording

Length: 1 hr and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-08-06

Publisher: L.A. Theatre Works

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The controversial history of Chavez Ravine, the immigrant community that once existed on the site that is now Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, is explored with humor, brutal honesty, and pulse-racing music by the nation's premier Chicano/Latino theatre troupe, Culture Clash.

Starring (in alphabetical order):

Zilah Mendoza

Richard Montoya

Ric Salinas

Herbert Siguenza

Musicians:

John Avila

Randy Rodarte

Scott Rodarte

Editorial Reviews:

Culture Clash, an electrifying Chicano American theater troupe, examines the history of an immigrant community in Los Angeles called Chavez Ravine, which was located where Dodger Stadium now sits. The story chronicles how real estate and political interests uprooted families and destroyed a neighborhood. Zilah Mendoza, Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza give delightful, dynamic, and heart-breaking performances in this recording captured before a live audience. The cast is accompanied by musicians John Avila, Randy Rodarte, and Scott Rodarte.

Members Reviews:

Great for a roadtrip!

Kept my attention, made us laugh. Some Chicano words you may have to look up.

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Title: Novus Ordo Seclorum

Author: Forrest McDonald

Narrator: Daniel Laurence

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

McDonald deftly recreates the intellectual dimension of the amazing 55 men whose genius and passion gave to us the United States Constitution. It was this work that was primarily responsible for Forrest McDonald's appointment as the 1987 Jefferson Lecturer in the Humanities, the highest scholarly recognition offered annually by the U.S. government through its National Endowment for the Humanities.

Members Reviews:

Brilliant

This book might start awkwardly for one accustomed to less academic works. But hang in there, if you like bright, clear, disciplined presentation of big ideas, in depth, with enough history to make sense of it all. I always wanted to dig further into "liberty," "property," "pursuit of happiness," and such ideas, feeling unsatisfied with the shallow syntheses I saw dished up and tossed about in popular books and media. Well, here is a deep exploration of the thinkers and thoughts that fed into the foundations of our society and legal systems (and now much of the world's), and it is so listenable, so well put. This might stand as my favorite audiobook to date (among hundreds). This work goes much further than my law school education did. And where there were a variety of thoughts and positions on these themes among the thought leaders of the day (as of course there were), we get a fine survey, rather than some pre-bent sale-job of one side. That's good scholarship. The next time some blowhard starts bloviating about what the founders supposedly thought and meant, I'll be ready.

Major academic work

Usually you have to give up a few things when you get the audio version of a book -- like the footnotes. Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw this title get treated as an honest-to-goodness academic book, with everything getting read, including the footnotes, which are actually full of little insights.

Great history in the philosophical ideas that created the Constitution

The story and history is amazing and captivating. The narration is very dry and has a tendency to put one to sleep. It would have been much better with a more enthusiastic narrator;)

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Title: Gallant Lady

Subtitle: A Biography of the USS Archerfish

Author: Don Keith, Ken Henry

Narrator: Alan Sklar

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 65 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The Archerfish, a diesel powered Balao-class submarine crafted in the 1940s, won a unique, heroic place in military history and the memories of her crew members. Here is her story: from her assembly in New England and her dedication by Eleanor Roosevelt's personal secretary, to her service in World War II, where she broke the back of the Japanese Navy, and her critical role in the Cold War.

Here, too, is the story of her crew, who waited years to serve on the Archerfish. In their own words, these men tell how, against all odds, they sent a Japanese aircraft carrier to the ocean floor. Heroic actions, exotic ports, B-girls, perilous shore leaves, and the fascinating details of life aboard a sub, it's all here. An extraordinary real-life odyssey, Gallant Lady is a vivid, unforgettable portrait of a submariner's life.

Critic Reviews:

"The next best thing to serving on the Archerfish is reading this book. It's a great Navy story about a great ship and crew." (Stephen Coonts)

Members Reviews:

Pointless tales of meaningless anecdotes.

Unless you served on this boat, don't waste your time reading this book! It is poorly written, combining meaningless minutia from the deck log (like the details of a post war wardroom inventory) and sophmoric tales of shore leave with equal reverence to the submarine's operations. The main focus of the book is drunken shore leave stories from the 1950's and 1960's. Narrator is overly dramatic on the minutia and mis-pronounces the names of ships, locations and equipment throughout. Listen to "Silent Running" and "The Bravest Man" if you are interested in well written books on life aboard WWII submarines.

Bilgewater

Attention on deck. Gallant Lady is, alas, a waste of precious disk space and should be deep-sixed. Do not expect stealthy tordedo set-ups or classic convoy attacks. This is nothing more than an overblown travelogue of post-war gadding about to various ports of call on meaningless and largely inconsequential missions of.....what exactly are they accomplishing other than burning fuel and consuming alcohol, the world wonders? The only shots are being chased with beer. I was very disappointed and feel the promotional write-up to be misleading at best. Let Gallant Lady pass to port and engage your mind and heart with other worthy reads in this genre, such as "The Bravest Man" and, "Silent Running", both exceptionally well done war chronicles of intrepid submariners on historic battle patrols. Carry on.

A

In this books the authors were constantly trying to convince the listener how superior this ship and crew were. This being a completely unnecessary task since any sub and crew that made it through one, and in this case numerous, war paroles during WWII had nothing to prove to anybody. This was a good ship and crew and buy simply telling their wonderful story in a more down to earth and eloquent way would have made all the difference in the world. The authors also had the annoying trait of continually introducing, and I felt divulging, the crowning achievement of the Archerfish at the beginning the end and numerous times through out this story. The whole pace and composition was confusing and unbalanced which made it hard to listen to and follow.

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Title: The Song of Hiawatha

Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Narrator: William Hootkins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 08-05-05

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 62 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

Longfellow's great narrative poem has been unjustly neglected in recent years though it gives a sympathetic portrait especially of Hiawatha, reared by Nokomis, daughter of the Moon, and his bride Minehaha.

It is famously underpinned by its hypnotic rhythm, which makes it ideal listening.

Editorial Reviews:

For many readers, William Hootkins's narration of Longfellow's classic nineteenth-century poem will evoke memories of elementary or middle school. Longfellow's extended narrative is set in a regular, easily recognized rhythm. This rhythm guides Hootkins's delivery, as this is more of a performance than a simple narration. He powerfully underscores the moments of import, giving the impression of a traditional storyteller revisiting a familiar piece. The one weakness in Hootkins's performance may come from matching Longfellow's poetry too closely. At times, the poem seems to drive on in the same vein for too long, with too many attempts at peak moments.

Members Reviews:

More fascinating than I expected

I bought this audio mainly because I was going to Alaska, wanted SOMEthing about Native Americans, and had never read it in high school, so I thought listening to it would be less painful than reading it. To my surprise, it turns out to be a fascinating string of legends about the mythical Hiawatha, his coming of age, taking a wife, enduring hardships, and his eventual leaving his tribe for an unknown land.

The author's skill in telling these stories within the poetic meter is matched by the narrator's ability to read the poetry in a very natural way, making the listener almost forget that the beauty of the words falls always within the meter. Any literature student assigned this poem should listen to this version, to really appreciate the best in American poery.

The narrator is amazing

It is difficult to think of a narrator better suited for The Song of Hiawatha than the late, great William Hootkins. I believe he reads the poem almost better than it's written, with such feeling, grace and timing, perfect pathos and emotion. And the poem? It's enchanting, with its clear, hypnotic meter. It evokes a clear sensation of an ancient, hallowed story, of an ancient native legend. Sure, it's parodied quite widely (I myself am almost tempted to compose this humble comment in trochaic tetrameter) but it doesn't really matter.

Very highly recommended.

This book is exquisite as is its narration

I'm not a Native American scholar and could care less about the accuracy or historicity of the contents of this epic poem. I do not come to it seeking historical accuracy and do not know how close it ever comes to it. What I do know is that this work lends an air of dignity, refinement, and gravitas to the Native American traditions that historically have only been afforded to the classical cultures of the ancient Mediterranean. Yet it does so with a spirit of respect and humility in the face of a deep and ancient civilization. The Song of Hiawatha, in a word, is exquisite, as is its performance in this edition.

Longfellow's poetry is sublime. William Hootkins' reading of it is immaculate, enthralling, and rapturous. He keeps to and makes evident the meter, without being slavish or pedantic.

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Title: Law in America

Subtitle: A Short History [Modern Library Chronicles]

Author: Lawrence M. Friedman

Narrator: Alan Nebelthau

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-15-05

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 74 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

Lawrence M. Friedman is Professor of Law at Stanford University and author of 23 books about law and legal history. Hailed as American law's greatest living historian, Friedman traces the evolution of America's legal system from the colonial period to the present. A Modern Library Chronicle, this book is concise, insightful, and graced with wit.

©2002 Lawrence M. Friedman

Members Reviews:

Very Good Book

I am surprised that no one has reviewed this title. It is a very interesting listen. I thought it might be boring, but it details how the US legal system started and evolved with social pressures thereafter. Should be a required part of high school curricula. I am a non-legal type; lawyers might find it too light...maybe not.

Fascinating stuff... for college freshmen

This book has a gee whiz aspect to it that I found irritating. The author begins with an anecdote about how he begins his freshman course at Stanford by bringing a newspaper into the class and showing how all the stories on the front page (Patriots Win Superbowl?) have something to do with law. If that sounds exciting and insightful to you, this may be the book for you. If it sounds like a pretty banal observation, pass this one up. The book lacks a coherent focus, and seems to delight in the sort of random factoids that are designed, again, to make an impression on college freshmen: early American law had a lot of provisions to deal with slavery. Umm, ok, so what? I think the author wants us to scratch your head and say "if law was wrong about the morality of slavery, what other moral issues could it be wrong about?" I'd like to think this wouldn't have struck me as deep even when I was a college freshman. He also makes frequent reference to the work of actual scholars without providing actual citations or context--again the sort of thing to whet the appetite of freshmen without scaring them off (or allowing them to check your claims and demonstrate that their professor has no clothes).

Here's the good news: it turns out that audible has a lot of interesting books on law, many targeted at law school students rather than undergraduates. I'm pretty new to the area myself, so I can't provide great recommendations, but keep looking and you'll find something worthwhile.

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Title: That's Not in My American History Book

Author: Thomas Ayres

Narrator: Jeff Riggenbach

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-14-04

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 390 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

For generations, history classes have reduced the rich, often surprising, facts of the American story into a dry litany of dates, names, and places. Now, That's Not in My American History Book fills in the gaps, supplying the messy details, reclaiming the overlooked heroes, and correcting the facts you thought you knew.

That's Not in My American History Book collects an illuminating treasury of stories edited out of your textbooks. It explains why the Fourth of July isn't really our Independence Day. It dispels the myth of Paul Revere's midnight ride. It reveals 19th century political mudslinging that labeled Andrew Jackson a murderer and his wife a "convicted adulteress." It even unveils the only Vice President ever to compose a #1 pop hit.

With insight, irreverence, and no small amount of wit, That's Not in My American History Book uncovers our unknown past.

Members Reviews:

A Great Book!

If only you could remember half of what's in this book... Depending on your personality, you could be the next Cliff Clavin or teach American history. I listen to a lot of history books and find myself going back to listen to something covered in this book. The trouble is - I end up listening to the rest of the book in it's entirely because it's so interesting. I've probably listened to this book about 10 times - I could never delete from my iPod. I wish there was a sequel.

Do yourself a favor and put it in your shopping cart!

Lots of Fun!

I had lots of fun listening to this book. Trouble is I was constantly making notes on things to research further via the internet!! Things would be a lot different if history were recorded accurately . . . but you know what they say . . . the history books are written by The Winners! So, alas, history books are published with a built-in bias. This book gives a great jumping off point if you want to learn more about the subjects included.

Great Historical trivia

If you make it through the introduction, there are fascinating anecdotes, which are brief, keeping the material interesting. Great "read."

Fun escapism, but not enough items

I really enjoyed this book. The only problem is that the author kinda pads each of his stories with a lot of unnecessary details. I would have liked more stories and less filler.

One little niggle about the audio book. Whoever edited it never left enough space between the topics. So as one topic ends the other is jammed right in after it.

Very entertaining historical nuggets

Written by a journalist, this book has a story-telling style that is very readable (listenable) and entertaining. I have a fair knowledge of American history yet most of the historical episodes were unfamiliar to me and fascinating to hear. The narration is excellent. If you enjoy history when it's easy reading and sometimes light-hearted, this is for you.

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Title: Company Aytch

Subtitle: A Side Show of the Big Show

Author: Sam Watkins

Narrator: Dan Calhoun

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-27-04

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 112 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

This book is considered to be the best account of the Civil War ever written from the Confederate point of view. It is also the one most frequently cited by historians of the Western campaigns. Sam Watkins, a high private in the Army of Tennessee, brings a vividness and detail to his story unmatched in the genre.

© and (P) Jimcin; Cover design ©2004 Brian J. Killavey

Editorial Reviews:

Sam Watkins' lively account of being a soldier in the Confederate Army was first published in 1881 as a series of columns in his hometown newspaper in Columbia, Tennessee, and persists to this day as one of the most widely beloved accounts of a soldier's experience of the Civil War. Watkins has a keen wit and observation - as well as knack for storytelling - reminiscent of Mark Twain. Dan Calhoun's performance has a wonderfully anachronistic character, which allows the listener to feel as if it is indeed Watkins who is recounting the remarkable chronicles found in Company Aytch.

Critic Reviews:

"A memoir of staggering significance, wit, and beauty." (Ken Burns)

Members Reviews:

Company Aytch

Having read many Civil War books, this was the most eloquently written from the viewpoint of the Conderate Soldier. The reader of this book also does a great job reading. You will feel the author is speaking to you.

Nothing can top being there.

I listened to this book ( same edition ) before joining Audible and was blown away by it. In fact, spotting this and many other titles that I'd paid big bucks for was the reason I joined up...But back to the book - I've read many Civil War war books and this, without a doubt, was the best. Nothing can top actually being there, and being a natural storyteller, as the author is, certainly helps. Excellent readng, as well.

A Private's account of the UnCivil War

Would you consider the audio edition of Company Aytch to be better than the print version?

I don't know if the audio edition of Company Aytch is better than the printed version since it is out of publication and I have not read it but this is OUTSTANDING! Most accounts of the War are given by Generals or Historians and seem to be somewhat lopsided. Down to earth depictions of everyday life, as seen by the grunts that did the fighting. This audio is a winner.

What did you like best about this story?

The down to earth truisms that have not been brought to the forefront of history.

Which character as performed by Dan Calhoun was your favorite?

Sam Watkins

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me proud to be an American. To think of what our ancestors went thru to give us this great country makes me proud and grateful. Divided before, United today!

Any additional comments?

This and all Civil War accounts should be required reading in our schools today. Our children don't know, nor do they care why we are free. They only get the history that has been spinned to suite the victors. Americans need to be educated rather than indoctrinated.

Incredible insights

Where does Company Aytch rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

One of the best "true life" books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sam, of course.

What does Dan Calhoun bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Gave it a real sense of immediacy.

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Title: Secret Empire

Subtitle: Eisenhower, CIA, and the Hidden Story of America's Space Espionage

Author: Philip Taubman

Narrator: Michael Prichard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-26-04

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 89 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

During the early and most dangerous years of the cold war, a handful of Americans, led by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, revolutionized spying and warfare. In great secrecy and beyond the prying eyes of Congress and the press, they built exotic new machines that opened up the Soviet Union to surveillance and protected the United States from surprise nuclear attack.

Secret Empire is the dramatic story of these men and their inventions, told in full for the first time.

©2003 Philip Taubman (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"In this exciting, meticulously researched spy story, Taubman takes readers behind the closed doors of the Eisenhower administration to tell about the small group of Cold Warriors whose technological innovations...revolutionized espionage and intelligence gathering." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

More people should know what Ike accomplished.

Liked it. Eisenhower has been written in the history books as a post WWII General/President that isn't known for much social change. This book casts light on his focus on intellegence and building the mechanisms to gather it.

Fascinating

As a student of pre-modern history (pre-Renaissance), I usually have little interest in this period or genre of history as it is usually tainted by politics and the shortsightedness of having been so recent. However, this history is one of the most fascinating histories I have read or listened to.

I was taught that the Eisenhower years were a kind of "Howdie Doodie", "Happy Days" world where Ike went golfing and the world was all rosey. Not true--Ike and his administration had to fight a very hard and dangerous world during the Cold War. It is remarkable that they of this time kept is so isolated to the average American.

Here is a story of how we brought technology to espionage in a very heightened way. This is a story of unsung heroes and geniuses and gutsy men who protected us from a very real threat, both real and apparent.

Normally, a history with so much sci-tech as its backbone would be rather specialized and boring; this one is not. The technical problems to be solved were significant and very difficult. There is a lot of spine in this book

This story needs to be told.

Solid and Enjoyable Cold War History

This is an interesting and balanced account of US espionage and reconnaissance efforts during the first part of the Cold War. The author mixes the personal stories and anecdotes of the people who built the U2 and the Corona satellites with a wealth of interesting technical detail and a solid account of the larger Cold War context. Eisenhower is well drawn and impressive. His concern about needless escalation and provocation shames his more militant advisors and generals and may have prevented a nuclear war.

This book is likely to be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the Cold War and the technology of reconnaissance.

Good Listen

I thought this was a good book overall. There is some times to where the history jumps around and leaves you unsure of the date they are talking about. I would recommend this book and I'm glad I got to listen to it. Very good overview of the spy history. If you like the U2 story and the spy satellites you will enjoy this.

Great Cold War history!

What did you love best about Secret Empire?

I was in the USAF and worked on nuclear missile sites in the 70's.