Books Reviews - Page 17

American history springs to panoramic life in this spectacular collection of more than 500 images from the vaults of TIME andLIFE magazines, the U.S. Library of Congress, state historical societies and rarely shared private collections. From early paintings depicting America as a British colonial-outpost wilderness to powerful photos of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath and icebergs withering under global warming, it’s a wonderful way to re-examine the many colorful threads in the patchwork quilt of people, places, events and things that make up our country.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Military buffs and armchair historians will devour the details in this authoritative look at the multitude of fortress structures that have dotted the American landscape from its earliest colonial days. Packed with maps, cutaway diagrams, rare photos and sidebars, Fortress America takes you inside timber-walled, Indian-resistant citadels, deep into dank Civil War bunkers, through high-tech, modern-day military strongholds and over the ramparts of just about everything else that’s ever been built in the original sense of “homeland security.”
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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When Hollywood and history intersect, the results can be spectacular. Filled with photos, production tidbits, script notes and other insights into the making of Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan and The Alamo, this trio of books from Newmarket Press intriguingly pull away the curtain and reveal some of the movie magic involved in bringing three epic adventures to colorful life on the big screen.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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In January 1968, Johnny Cash took the stage at California’s Folsom Prison and stepped into the role of a superstar. The record album made from his concert for the inmates became a classic and his live recording of “Folsom Prison Blues” was a smash hit. This book chronicles his legendary prison performance, what led up to it, and its career-altering aftermath with more than 100 photos and a wealth of insight into the event’s crucial role in shaping Cash’s image as a hero to the downtrodden.
Neil Pond, American Profile

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Got friends or co-workers who think they know it all about The Beatles? Well, let this bountiful book be your trump-card ammunition for any discussion about the Fab Four. With 50 chapters, more than 200 photos and a cleanly organized, obsessively detailed, easy-to-browse examination of just about everything associated with John, Paul, George and Ringo, it’s the ultimate guide to all things Beatle. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Truth may not always be stranger than fiction, but in this case it’s far more interesting. These factual accounts of shipwrecks from ancient times through the 20th century, in the actual words of survivors and observers, are a deep-sea dish that will rivet anyone else who’s ever been drawn to the mystery, beauty and danger of the ocean. From little-known seafaring calamities to epic, legendary tragedies, these first-person tales put you in the middle of harrowing, often heart-wrenching situations and pose an inevitable, unavoidable question that will linger as long as humans venture onto the water: What would you do if it happened to you?
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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No need to hop an ocean to take a world-class trip. This companion to the best-selling 2004 travel guide 1,000 Things to See Before You Die give you the where’s, how’s and why’s of a boggling variety of things to see and do all across North America. Fact-filled, fun and full of detail, it’s a road map to the bountiful beaches, mountains, forests, plains, museums, sports events, festivals and other destination delights that decorate own continental backyard.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Packed with facts, illustrations, photos, pull-out flaps, maps, cards and other surprises, this handsome coffee-table companion immerses you in a colorfully realistic, interactive world of history’s greatest fighting cultures. Ferocious Assyrians, who ruled with an iron fist… harsh Spartans, trained for war from infancy… formidable Celts, a thorn in Rome’s side… plus gladiators, knights, Vikings, Ninjas, Zulus, Aztecs, heroes, villains, decisive battles, combat tactics, lethal weapons and more. Warriors brings you about as close as you’d ever want to be to the spatter, clatter and chaos of the ancient battlefield. —Neil Pond, American Profile

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Growing up watching the mighty Mississippi River out the kitchen window of his home in East Moline, Ill., author Pregracke became a young adult determined to do something about the pollution clogging America’s once-pristine waterways. This is the inspiring story of his passionate grassroots campaign that became a national crusade with more than 60 sponsors and thousands of volunteers. It may not move you to put on a snorkel, grab a shovel and plunge into the murk—but it will sure make you think twice about tossing that empty soda can into the creek.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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For more than 25 years, superstar “waller” Dan Snow has been building one-of-a-kind stone walls and other structures for clients in America and Great Britain. Graceful photos of nearly 50 of his creations, coupled with Snows’ own reflections and recollections, make for a wonderful window on one man’s awe-inspiring handiwork with nature’s original building blocks.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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