My American Century

Rating:
Summary: Wisdom from people you will never know.
Review: A collection of interviews from Terkel's other books. A lot of normal people from all walks of life in our century talking about their points of views on various things. Very cool stuff. Just goes to show that everyone, no matter where they're from or what they do or how much education they have, has a story and some wisdom to share.

Rating:
Summary: Real People, Real History
Review: After reading Mr. Terkel's book, I realized our great country is shaped by the average folks next door (unless you live in Beverly Hills!). I was drawn to this book in a desire to read about how average Americans live their lives and make decisions that affect us all. I get tired of hearing about the rich and famous (athletes, entertainers, etc.) who really add little to our lives. How can they relate to parents who do their best to raise children without obscene amounts of money at their disposal? I showed this book to my 80-year mother who loved it! She relayed some WWII stories of her own when she worked in Long Beach at an aircraft manufacturing firm (McDonnell-Douglas). A wonderful book...do your mind a favor and read it.

Rating:
Summary: Real People, Real History
Review: After reading Mr. Terkel's book, I realized our great country is shaped by the average folks next door (unless you live in Beverly Hills!). I was drawn to this book in a desire to read about how average Americans live their lives and make decisions that affect us all. I get tired of hearing about the rich and famous (athletes, entertainers, etc.) who really add little to our lives. How can they relate to parents who do their best to raise children without obscene amounts of money at their disposal? I showed this book to my 80-year mother who loved it! She relayed some WWII stories of her own when she worked in Long Beach at an aircraft manufacturing firm (McDonnell-Douglas). A wonderful book...do your mind a favor and read it.

Rating:
Summary: Very good read.
Review: No one tells history like the people who lived it, and Terkel is a master at getting "ordinary folks" to share their perspectives with the world. If you are looking for grand re-rellings on broader issues, this is not for you. If you want to know how people reacted to what was happenening immediately around them, then you're in business, here.

This is a fine compendium, almost a "best-of" type collection, and serves its purpose well. Another strong point is that this is not a book one feels compelled to pick up and complete in a sitting or three. Rather, one can easily pick it up, put it down and then return to it weeks later, as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Very good read.
Review: No one tells history like the people who lived it, and Terkel is a master at getting "ordinary folks" to share their perspectives with the world. If you are looking for grand re-rellings on broader issues, this is not for you. If you want to know how people reacted to what was happenening immediately around them, then you're in business, here.

This is a fine compendium, almost a "best-of" type collection, and serves its purpose well. Another strong point is that this is not a book one feels compelled to pick up and complete in a sitting or three. Rather, one can easily pick it up, put it down and then return to it weeks later, as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Many Voices
Review: Terkel's genius is in letting others speak. This book is an amalgam of his other books, all "written" by average Americans who have had ordinary, yet unique, American experiences. It blends the best of his other works, including stories of the American workforce from CEO's to auto assembly line workers; oral histories of the Depression from people who remember bread lines and hunger pangs; thoughts on the division between poor and rich from the "haves" and the "have nots"; remembrances of WWII from front line soldiers and the loved ones they left behind; and reflections on racism from Black, White, and mixed race people. This book makes for excellent bedtime reading, as it is separated into five to ten page vignettes. At times, it can be infuriating, at others, it can move you to tears. This is an authentic record of being American in the twentieth century, put together by a man who shows great sympathy and affection for his subjects.

Rating:
Summary: Many Voices
Review: Terkel's genius is in letting others speak. This book is an amalgam of his other books, all "written" by average Americans who have had ordinary, yet unique, American experiences. It blends the best of his other works, including stories of the American workforce from CEO's to auto assembly line workers; oral histories of the Depression from people who remember bread lines and hunger pangs; thoughts on the division between poor and rich from the "haves" and the "have nots"; remembrances of WWII from front line soldiers and the loved ones they left behind; and reflections on racism from Black, White, and mixed race people. This book makes for excellent bedtime reading, as it is separated into five to ten page vignettes. At times, it can be infuriating, at others, it can move you to tears. This is an authentic record of being American in the twentieth century, put together by a man who shows great sympathy and affection for his subjects.