Eric

Extremely Valuable and Insightful

Revisado: 06-05-24

as someone from the youngest generation mentioned in this book, and only briefly, this book does an amazing job of giving proof of what I've noticed missing in society. Our cultural memory of the time when we had higher social capital has greatly outlasted our experience having that social capital itself. One could be forgiven for thinking that the social capital remembered in our culture was never real and just a product of media tropes. This book dispels that suspicion.

It is unfortunate that there hasn't been an update to discuss the impact the last two decades has had, but this is still a perfect jumping off point for this topic.

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Great book from a capitalist perspective

Revisado: 01-31-24

Despite what some other reviews said, there is nothing anti-capitalist in this book. The author goes to great lengths to explain that Capitalism can and has worked well broadly in the past. The variation of Capitalism that is currently ascendent in the United States is the deviation. Really well written look at one of the major driving forces behind this destructive shift. There are other books that give a deeper background on the political changes that led to Welchism being possible, but this book does a great job of showing the practical effects of those politics and how individual actors like Welch also played a significant role.

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Perfect mix of history and a call to action today

Revisado: 01-27-22

This book provides an excellent primer on the history of antitrust law in the US, from how it got started, to how it developed, and the challenges it's faced in the past few decades. It then pivots to the practical things we can do about it now. Really good read for anyone who knows something isn't right with an economy filled with too-big-to-fail companies and not enough small businesses who can compete.

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Incredibly important perspective

Revisado: 11-24-21

This is an excellent resource for people to better understand the history of Lenapehoking/New Netherland/New Sweden/New Jersey (plus southern NY and eastern PA) starting around the time of the first contact with Europeans, going all the way up to the 1770s.

In some ways this feels like several overlapping shorter books with each chapter feeling free to retell important previously explained events and go into the future consequences of the current events, rather than stick to a strictly chronological narrative. it felt bit repetitive at first but eventually I appreciated how it really solidified key events in my memory for me in a way a more simple narrative might not have.

The performance isn't matched well to the book. The narration is clear and the audio quality is good, but the performance constantly seemed out of step with the words being read. The was a constant tone of sinisterness and almost a snarling feeling, that might be appropriate for some of the most troubling parts of the history (though that would be an odd injection from a performer who isn't the author), but it isn't actually connected to what is being read. It's just always there.

Ultimately, while I believe this book would benefit from a new performance, it doesn't detract enough that anyone should be deterred from buying this and giving it an attentive listen. This is a part of the history of this place that isn't prominent enough in our local or national consciousness. This book makes an excellent stride in helping to correct that.

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Overproduced

Revisado: 10-05-21

Voice acting was good but the loud and intense coughing, chain rattling, etc was too much. Very unpleasant and made it so I could hardly hear the dialogue at points.

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The original and best version of a familiar story

Revisado: 10-05-21

Almost everyone has heard of this story, and has a rough understanding of what it's about. The basic premise has been copied over and over to be told in different ways for different media for different audiences. If those renditions are the fast food renditions of the story, the original is the gourmet version. Fuller and more nutritious and exactly the right serving size.

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A Hero of Liberalism

Revisado: 09-22-21

This is a masterful telling of a life that should be celebrated by all who genuinely love liberty. Mike Duncan is of course an amazing storyteller. The writing and performance is up to the sky high standards you would expect. Duncan's narrative admires Lafayette without papering over his flaws and mistakes. And the truth is that compared to many of his contemporaries, particularly those who wielded real power, Lafayette's flaws are much fewer and farther between, staying almost superhumanly steadfast to his Liberal principles over a long life and career.

The only nit I will pick in the whole book, which I am compelled to do as a proud New Jerseyan, is to make one small correction. At one point earlier on in the book, Duncan accidentally refers to Morristown, New Jersey as "Morristown, Pennsylvania".

This book, like its subject, belongs in the pantheon of the great biographies of America's founding heroes.

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A Standout Even Amongst the Classics

Revisado: 08-20-21

One of those books whose title and motifs are known by just about everyone whether they realize it or not. Sometimes a classic is famous for laying an innovative framework that later stories do better at utilizing. In this case, however, both the framework and the story itself are perfectly enthralling. Remarkably undated for a work 150 years old. One of the best works of fiction I've ever read.

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A Gospel of the Revolution

Revisado: 07-19-21

This is like a gospel of the Revolution. After reading so many other works that quote this book, I decided to go straight to the source. To my happy surprise, it was very easy to follow and understand. To my unhappy surprise, the sufferings described are worse than I knew of, particularly the apparent negative opinion of the soldiers during the time of this writing, alluded to at the end, that seems to have prompted this. I would recommend this to anyone to get a better sense of the day to day life of a Revolutionary War soldier.

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Sarah Vowell is a national treasure

Revisado: 06-28-21

Another incredible book by Sarah Vowell. Her books will leave any reader entertained, better informed, and a better citizen. This book in particular every American would be wise to listen to. Outstandingly read and performed.

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