KENNETH

Overly dramatic retelling of positive moments in American history

Revisado: 04-18-24

History 101 retelling of contentious parts of American history showing how America leaders eventually prevailed in positive ways. But nothing new or interesting.

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Perfect

Revisado: 04-26-23

I was looking for an overview of African history and the substance and delivery was perfect. Sad to not find any more Audibles done by the author.

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A long article pushed out to the length of a book

Revisado: 04-19-23

I love reading and listening to KDW but there was limited substance and more of an obvious grudge looming over the whole book.

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Stirewalt at his best!

Revisado: 08-25-22

What do you get when you combine Stirewalt's folksy style with his incredible insider knowledge of politics and the history and workings of American media? A joy to listen to, and a lot of fascinating insights to absorb.

He goes out of his way to be an equal opportunity critic or observer of every political party (from post-Revolutionary times and the Sedition Act through Ted Cruz's groveling to Tucker Carlson for referring to the January 6 criminals as "terrorists") as well as red and blue media outlets. Into this broad-casting of information and history as to the interaction between news agencies (paper, radio, tv and internet) and politics, and its resultant effects on America, Stirewalt shares his personal stories - from his first newspaper job at age 17 to his new gigs after departing from FoxNews. The Stirewalt "war stories" add street cred to the observations, and they coincide directly with so many of the recent trends we have all observed and that he explains from his insider viewpoint.

The news providing business has morphed from journalism to Post-journalism (the providing of information in a manner that will sate the emotional needs of the audience). This theme, which Stirewalt explains and explores so well, is considered along with another matching transition. Readers and receivers of news have morphed from being the customers (defined as those who paid for their news product) to being the "product" itself, which "free" news agencies now sell to advertisers. The clear and simple effect is that such news agencies must maximize the "products" (views) they can sell, so they must pander to the "readers," "listeners" and "watchers.". Stirewalt mixes his own experiences and downhome style in discussing such weighty topics with a smile and many laughs.

While his suggestions at the end to journalists and readers as to how to "fight back" are well-intended and accurate, he is probably preaching too much to the choir (to readers who already had the sense to read or listen to his book); and he is fighting the growing tide of profit and fame for journalists who maintain the status quo. ... But a boy from Wheeling, West Virginia can dream, can't he.

If you ever enjoyed listening to Chris Stirewalt, you will certainly enjoy and learn from listening to him read this book. I certainly did.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Candy for History buffs

Revisado: 07-25-20

Not much new here but a joy to listen to as repackaged into this countdown towards the climax that everyone knows happens. It works and is a great read and review from every perspective ... political, military, science and ethics. Would recommend to novice and informed.

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Proper focus

Revisado: 06-01-15

When I loved best about this book was that it was not about military movements across battlefields, but nonetheless about all of the other real factors that went into, occurred during and resulted from World War I.

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Classic Carolla

Revisado: 07-10-14

Would you listen to President Me again? Why?

No, because its stand-up comedy on paper.... but I'd recommend it to others.

What other book might you compare President Me to and why?

Any good comedian's humor book.

What does Adam Carolla bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

No one can deliver a comedian's words like the comedian themself. Carolla read by anyone else would be bad.

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

His logical politics , they match up so easily with my own ... and they are both humorous and revealing in contrast to real politicians.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoyed either of his first two books, or his podcast, its a must read.

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Great first 40 hours ... then Kennedy dies

Revisado: 07-10-14

Where does The Glory and the Dream rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Bottom 50% of history books

What other book might you compare The Glory and the Dream to and why?

Don't Know Much About History ... reviews so much but only skin deep, and tries to be humorous.

Which scene was your favorite?

The intersection of the stand-up Eisenhower and the bottom-dweller Joe MCarthy in the early 50's.

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

No, but it did disappoint in the 1960s. Focuses on nothing but sex, civil rights, and the counterculture.

Any additional comments?

Its a solid survey history from 1932-1962, with interesting focus throughout on social and cultural history but then it loses its direction, ... possibly the fact that such "history" was too close in time to the book's publication affected its substance.

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Too Out of Date to Enjoy ...

Revisado: 08-25-11

Probably a fine read in 2000, or listen in 2002. Do not waste your time in 2011, as I groaned too often through the first half of the book about the claimed novelty of word processing font innovations or PDAs - while listening to the book on my 2011 I-Pad. I did not listen to the end (something I have done on only one other occasion), and don't regret it at all.

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Top Ten Military Fiction Read ...

Revisado: 08-25-11

The book truly brings you inside the heads of the various military participants. Instead of reading like a Stephen Ambrose novel of war-time first-person overviews, it takes you deeper into the true emotional and sensory experiences of the soldiers and the officers - and you appreciate the war (and the experiences of our military personnel) even more.

There is an unnamed extra character in the book at all times - due to the times and the forced mixing of races in the theater of military operations - and that is the racism of the participants. It is presented in such a stark and seemingly accurate way that you appreciate the authenticity of all of the interactions that much more.

Buy it to learn more about the Vietnam Conflict, and sit back and truly enjoy the ride into the lives and minds of all individuals put in harm's way.

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