“This is a little history with a big heart, meant to be savored more than studied, read out loud like poetry, or perhaps sung like a hymn.” Joseph J. Ellis, Pultizer Prize–winning author of Founding Brothers
Description
How did a land and people of such immense diversity come together under a banner of freedom and equality to form one of the most remarkable nations in the world? Everyone from young adults to grandparents will be fascinated by the answers uncovered in James West Davidson’s vividly told A Little History of the United States. In three hundred fast-moving pages, Davidson guides listeners through five hundred years, from the first contact between the two halves of the world to the rise of America as a superpower in an era of atomic perils and diminishing resources.
In short, vivid chapters the book brings to life hundreds of individuals whose tales are part of the larger American story. Pilgrim William Bradford stumbles into an Indian deer trap on his first day in America; Harriet Tubman lets loose a pair of chickens to divert attention from her escaping slaves; the toddler Andrew Carnegie, later an ambitious industrial magnate, gobbles his oatmeal with a spoon in each hand. Such stories are riveting in themselves, but they also spark larger questions to ponder about freedom, equality, and unity in the context of a nation that is, and always has been, remarkably divided and diverse.
Praise
“This is a little history with a big heart, meant to be savored more than studied, read out loud like poetry, or perhaps sung like a hymn.” Joseph J. Ellis, Pultizer Prize–winning author of Founding Brothers
“Historian Davidson opens this smooth overview of five hundred years of American history, beginning with Columbus’ arrival, with an engaging premise, arguing that we all make our own history pieced together out of personal memories…Crafting a ‘little’ narrative requires the skills of a seasoned historian, and Davidson accomplishes it through a combination of structure and approach…in a conversational style akin to a historical fireside chat.” Publishers Weekly
“Persuasive and enjoyable…Davidson faced a herculean task in condensing more than five hundred years of history into a slim volume. He fulfills this difficult brief with authority and brio.” Richard Aldous, author of Reagan and Thatcher
“A book of literary grace…Not only the writing but also the conceptualization consistently engage the reader. Uncommonly imaginative.” Christine Heyrman, author of Southern Cross
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Sep 14, 2015 |
| Release Date | September 15, 2015 |
| Release Date Machine | 1442275200 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | History, Americas, Nonfiction - Adult, Nonfiction - All |
Author Bio
James West Davidson, a widely respected historian, has written on American history and the detective work that goes into it, as well as books about the outdoors. His textbooks for the middle grades, high school, and college have been read by millions of students. He is also coauthor of Great Heart, cited by the National Geographic Society as one of the hundred greatest adventure books of all time. He lives in Rhinebeck, New York.
Narrator Bio
Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.
Overview
How did a land and people of such immense diversity come together under a banner of freedom and equality to form one of the most remarkable nations in the world? Everyone from young adults to grandparents will be fascinated by the answers uncovered in James West Davidson’s vividly told A Little History of the United States. In three hundred fast-moving pages, Davidson guides listeners through five hundred years, from the first contact between the two halves of the world to the rise of America as a superpower in an era of atomic perils and diminishing resources.
In short, vivid chapters the book brings to life hundreds of individuals whose tales are part of the larger American story. Pilgrim William Bradford stumbles into an Indian deer trap on his first day in America; Harriet Tubman lets loose a pair of chickens to divert attention from her escaping slaves; the toddler Andrew Carnegie, later an ambitious industrial magnate, gobbles his oatmeal with a spoon in each hand. Such stories are riveting in themselves, but they also spark larger questions to ponder about freedom, equality, and unity in the context of a nation that is, and always has been, remarkably divided and diverse.
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