John Adams

McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. This is history on a grand scale, an audiobook about politics, war, and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, it is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.

Listening to American history from David McCullough's perspective is like hearing it from ones grandfather or trusted friend. I often find myself sitting in my car in the garage for long periods of time - after I have arrived home, not wanting to "put the book down". As far as I am concerned DM is the finest American historian of our age! Fair and without agenda this is the way it is supposed to be written.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Why we think it’s a great listen:Seabiscuit was a runaway success, and Hillenbrand’s done it again with another true-life account about beating unbelievable odds. On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.....

Condoleezza Rice: An American Life

Condoleezza Rice has until now remained a mystery behind an elegant, cool veneer. In this stunning new biography, New York Times reporter Elisabeth Bumiller peels back the layers and presents a revelatory portrait of the first black female secretary of state and President George W. Bush's national security adviser on September 11, 2001.

The contrast of the two view points - that is the "helpless victim mentality" of the left, as presented by the author and the "no victims allowed" philosophy of Rice's parents is very obvious. The left leaning slant of this book is anything but objective. Ms Bumlier takes every opportunity she can to create class envy and typical rich vs poor babble to minimize the hard work and positive attitude of Condoleezza Rice's family. I learned more about slanted journalism than I did Rice.

FLAK

A collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II. It is also an account of the strange, sometimes obsessive journey of the author himself, as he explores a passion held since childhood. From bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers, from stories of death and fear to tales of humor and comradeship, Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times.

I love accounts of the brave men of WWII. This book however is not recommended if you happen to be an American how feels our country contributed greatly to the defeat of Germany and Japan. Mr Vietch, and his self described lefty leanings, takes every opportunity ti portray American air crews as incompetent, disliked by their allied counter parts. According to the men interviewed this hatred was to the degree that in chapter 17 he recounts the RAF and RAAF pilots cheering on the German pilot attacking an American bomber. I have walked away from this book placing the Australians on par with the French, and based on this work, I frankly am of the opinion, we should have allowed the Aussies to become a Japanese colony.

1776

Why we think it’s a great listen: If you ever thought history was boring, David McCullough’s performance of his fascinating book will change your mind. In this stirring audiobook, McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence, when the whole American cause was riding on their success.

Not Without Hope

A witness to incredible heroism and unspeakable tragedy, Nick remained at sea for more than 40 hours, holding on, hoping against hope and clinging to the thought that he couldn’t bear to have his mother attend his funeral. Not Without Hope is much more than a story of survival. It is an inspiring story of friendship, resolve, and courage.

As a winter Floridian who lives just a half hour south of where these men launched on Feb 28, 2009, I remember well the local news story that became national headlines. I also recall the weather. Cold -windy- nasty! I recall telling my wife those nights, " I can't imagine being in the water on a night like tonight". I never dreamed there would be any survivors. That makes Nick Schyler's story all the more miraculous to me. I felt that cold front come through on land, I cannot imagine what it would have been like in the Gulf.
The narrative was a bit long and repetitious in places but then so were those 40 hours I suppose. I enjoyed the behind the scenes portions of the book and would have enjoyed expansion of the story from those perspectives. All in all a well written book, with excellent narration, looking past a couple of small mispronunciations of local names.

The Prodigal God

Taking his trademark intellectual approach to understanding Christianity, Timothy Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside his most familiar parable. Within that parable Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.

All Hands Down: The True Story of the Soviet Attack on the USS Scorpion

Forty years ago, in May 1968, the submarine USS Scorpion sank in mysterious circumstances with a loss of 99 lives. The tragedy occurred during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Fly

Simultaneous release of the thrilling new volume of true stories from airmen of the Second World War, from the author of Flak (also available in audio by Bolinda). Michael Veitch's life-long obsession with the aircraft of the Second World War led him to conclude that every single person who flew, or flew in them, has at least one extraordinary story to tell. With most of these veterans in their 80's, he knew that it was a matter of urgency to find them now, before their personal stories disappear forever.

Brooke P. Anderson says:"Excellent book from RAF and RAAF point of view"

I found this to be a very interesting collection of interviews of members of the RAAF. Enjoyed the style and delivery, I was surprised however to discover that Americans were held is such low esteem by many if not most of those interviewed. As an American knowing the amount of American blood that was shed to save the Pacific from total Japanese domination it kind of left me with a view of Aussies akin to that of the way the French said thank you. I walked away with a feeling our Allied relationship was similar to that we had with the Russians.

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