Tag Archive: american-history



Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander, #9)Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished my third reading of this series. I can’t think of anything to add to this review. It is still my favorite, and I am still in love with the series, Diana Gabaldon, and Davina Porter. I’d like to learn to be even half the writer or narrator as these two.

***
As much as I love all the Outlanders, this may be my favorite. The sad part is that the next book isn’t ready to read. So now I am floundering with Diana Gabaldon’s novellas. And Davina Porter makes Ms. Gabaldon’s writing shine!

Don’t let it scare you; think honey, not stingers. Bees do play a part in telling this story. My takeaway is to always talk to the bees; they want to know.

As with the rest of the series, this book is educational about the American Revolution. It is inspirational as I long to read and research our history to know more than I learned in school. It proves my point that the student will feel curious if you throw in a bit of magic.

Ah, but, Diana, why did you have to leave this on a cliff? Especially knowing that it would be ages until your perfected sequel (as opposed to the Game of Thrones hurried ending by someone else.) But it wasn’t a high cliff, so I’ll tolerate it knowing our heroes will be safe somehow and once again save the day.

I love, love, love all the lessons the Frasiers and friends have to teach us and can’t wait for more.
If you get the chance, please listen to these books in audio form as Davina Porter brings the story to life.

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The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs, #15)The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series just gets better and better. Now Americans are more involved in the war, and thereby, Maisie is working with a couple of Americans to solve her multiple mysteries.

Once again, Jacqueline Winspear’s writing, paired with Orlagh Cassidy’s narration, makes for an excellent reading and listening experience.

Thank you, Libby, for having the series available to borrow. And thanks to my friend, Kay, for recommending these wonderful reads!

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A Certain Idea of America: Selected WritingsA Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings by Peggy Noonan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a daytime read. I find it hard to read politics at bedtime. So I listened to the audiobook borrowed from Libby while doing my diamond paintings. I thought the author read this, but Hillary Huber is listed as the narrator. Either way, these are interesting essays.

I have to admit that I didn’t agree with everything, but even when I didn’t, I found something interesting to learn in each one. I do like how Peggy Noonan writes these essays. I felt engaged in the topic, pro or con.

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The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in CrisisThe Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis by George Stephanopoulos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a non-fiction, history type book, this was very interesting. George Stephanopoulos wrote the book and narrated most of it. He is a quiet unassuming man, who knows from experience about the subject matter. He was even able to insert a bit of humor now and then. Not as well as his wife, Ali Wentworth does humor, but, lightened the heavy subject matter a bit.

Lisa Dickey was a contributing author.

Peter Ganim, Elisabeth Rodgers also narrated. That brought the possible tome to something to keep connected.

I highly recommend this book if you are curious about the workings of such places as The Situation Room. Why is it there? When did it start? Who has used it and why? It is intriguing.

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Your prompt for JusJoJan January 17th, 2025 is whatever you want it to be. Have fun!

Hence, a book review does well here.


America's Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American HistoryAmerica’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History by Dana Bash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Libby is a wonderful way to read books, especially if you are financially challenged. I rarely find myself in this position. I didn’t finish before it was due. And there was a waiting list. So, I had to let the book go back. Today, I listened to it on Audible at the speed of 2.5. Dana Bash narrates quite well at normal speed and surprisingly well at chipmunk speed. Still, I only got to 75% before the book was pulled.

All that to say, this still was an interesting history lesson. Remember, I am not a history person. That and chemistry, or geometry, just bored me in school. But Ms. Bash did a fantastic job keeping my interest. I had no idea all that had happened. I probably would have done better at a different time reading this and still have come away with anxiety.

Anyway, I’m on the waiting list to finish the read later. I will update this review when I finally get the chance. Meanwhile, if you get the chance to read or listen to this book, I think you will find it quite educational yet engaging to the reader.

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Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened AmericaMedgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to win the Black History Month finest read. Joy-Ann Reid has written and narrated one of the best books I have read in a long time. Especially since I don’t much like nonfiction, there was history and personal story involved. I cared from the beginning for all the characters involved. And Ms. Reid became one of them as she was a personal witness by getting to know Myrlie Evers personally. So, her research was not only factual but personal. That is a true history book!

It wasn’t just a bunch of facts and men, as most history books seem to be. Nor was it only fighting and war and the heroes. However, that was included as only a part of history.

I could not stop listening/reading, so I went over my 3 AM sleep time as I didn’t want to stop listening. Joy-Ann is fun to listen to, and I always feel the wiser when I heed her voice.

I highly recommend this book. I was lucky to find it on Libby as an audiobook.

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Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a WarningOath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. But it is a necessary book. And I was lucky to get to hear a copy from our library app, Libby. Liz Cheney reads it herself, giving it all the authenticity it needs. Regardless of your political stance, this is an essential look into our government and the laws of this country we all love.

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Prequel: An American Fight Against FascismPrequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been finished with this book for a few days. It is so heavy in history that I couldn’t bring it all in. I may have to buy it and reread it. Luckily, I could read it by Libby audio.

Rachel does her own narrating. That made it better. She can take you back in historical situations so that you know more than names and dates (the things taught to me in history classes of my youth). She can almost take you back to the time the first dinosaur thought of the inconvenience of that leaf and how it led to the conflict of World War II. Her deep research is evident.

There were far more people involved in that war than we were taught in school. And much of what we got had to be taught cleaned up in a way that not just kids but everyone could take it in. There was a reason most veterans of that war said nothing about what happened. They only knew the bit of the war they were in. It was truly a World War, and many people were involved in many aspects. This book covers a lot of them. And how people in many countries, even ours, were placated to or induced into beliefs they might not readily have fallen for otherwise.

I highly suggest everyone read this. I think it could be a textbook for a true history class. I know many won’t want to read it. That’s okay. For those open to try, please do so.

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The Book Woman of Troublesome CreekThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quite an interesting read. Even though I read these out of sequence, reading book two first, I found I like both stories. They were very similar, and with the same narrator, Katie Schorr, I felt both main characters were the same. Still, when I took a moment, I found my way back to the current person. Her voice fits the characters and keeps the story going.

Until these stories, I don’t think I remember hearing about the blue-skinned people of Kentucky until these books. But what doesn’t surprise me is the bigotry of the willfully ignorant. Though the main character does everything in her power to help others, some see a minor issue as something to hate a person for.

What is fun is watching the main characters of the two books grow in their abilities as librarians, teachers, women, and riders of an onery mule.

This story is worth reading, even if you have to read this out of order.

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Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water [Revised and Updated Edition]Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water [Revised and Updated Edition] by Marc Reisner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joe Spieler (Narrator), and Kate Udall (Narrator) mostly Mr. Spieler, tell the history of water, dams, resources, and politics.

I’d love to say it was exciting. Unfortunately, as informative as it was, it was hard to stay with it. This was a library, Libby, audiobook. I needed to finish as others were waiting for the book so I listened every chance I could. Still, having been married to an employee on the California Aqueduct and lived up and down the state of California, I was able to follow a lot of the history as it unfolded in the way of how politics played into everything.

What I appreciated most was when Kate Udall started reading near the end of the science, ecology, and climate changes play a part in the most important element for life besides air. I feel this is a textbook everyone should take the time for. Whether you agree with it all or not, this is still a lot here to chew on for a while.

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