America 1908: The Dawn of Flight, the Race to the Pole, the Invention of the Model T, and the Making of a Modern Nation Audiobook

" A fascinating year's eye view, in which I was enthralled by certain parts (polar exploration, public scandals, cars) and bored by certain parts (mostly to do with the poor Wright brothers). Rasenberger ranges far and wide. Since I was reading Maud Hart Lovelace's BETSY-TACY series concurrently, this book shed light on the era, but I realized most momentous events glance off the everyday lives of those not involved, no matter which era you live in. Finally put it down because I hit yet another flying section, and just couldn't bring myself to do it. "

" An entertaining and at times fascinating account of events in American history - political, cultural, scientific and more - during the year 1908. The book's only downfall is in the author's insistence at telling the stories in chronological order. The result is too jarring to make for captivating reading. For example, in one chapter the author relates the details of a baseball game. I was not very interested in this story at first, but soon found myself lost in the game, pulling the book closer to my face, as if that would help me get the words in faster. Then, at the story's climax the author switches gears and begins tellings us about the invention of the Model T Ford. Typically I would have been more interested in the Model T story, but found it an irritating inclusion that kept me from my baseball story. We return to the baseball story in the next chapter, at its chronologically correct position, but I have lost interest by then, and the baseball story is now an irritant keeping me from the story it has just interrupted. That said, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy non-fiction. Just be prepared to read it as a month-by-month narrative. "

" This book sticks mostly to the events listed in its title, sprinkled with some other interesting anecdotes in between. It was not entirely captivating to me, and seemed to drag towards the end. That said, I am not particularly taken with stories of historical baseball games or arguments over who reached the North Pole first. One fun part about the book is being able to compare America from approximately a hundred years ago to the America today: in some aspects, America has come a long way. In many others, it's uncanny how much the issues haven't changed. "

" I love to read anything about America! "

" While it contained interesting stories, this book seemed like it was less than the sum of its parts. It didn't feel like a coherent story. It was more of a collection of different events that took place in the same year. My favorite parts were about the Wright brothers and President T. Roosevelt. "

" Interesting but uneven. I liked the sections on the Wright Brothers the best. "

" This was a great book to listen to as we made a road trip. I was fascinated by how many important things happened during this year that have effected all of us, such as first flight. It is a great look at life at the turn of the century. Those who are history buffs will enjoy it as well. "

" A biography of a year... a very interesting year. "

" Great insight was shown into all the main cultural and technological advances of the year. Great read! "

" Who knew the excitment (and racial horror) of living in the U.S. in 1908. I picked up this book on a whim and was fascinated. An easy and exciting read. "

" Rasenberger is a bit kind to Frederick Cook. "

" Interesting look back at where the country was 100 years ago and how much has transpired since then that was novel in 1908. Book is written in more of a story genre than just historical facts. He has personalized the characters, which makes this book more interesting to read. "

" What an entertaining romp through a fabulous year in American history! Loved it. "

" The problem is the book resembles someone going through the New York Times one day at a time a writing about that event with a little perspective. "

" This was a fabulous book about the events of 1908. From the Model T to the Wright Brothers to Teddy Roosevelt, to baseball, this non-fiction read better than a novel. "

" A really interesting narrative history overview - well written. Inspired me to look for some other books on the same time period. "

" Extremely interesting! Good for research papers too :) haha "

" A very readable history of the year. I read because I am writing a book about 1905 Boston and wanted to see how someone else had treated a similar theme. Lots of great stories about the Wright Brothers, Teddy Roosevelt, and other memorable characters. "

" Agree with Dad's review. Not coherent at all. And I give it 2 stars - I can judge by that fact that it took an ENTIRE MONTH to finish listening to it - that means it wasn't interesting enough to turn on my iPod to listen in all those small 10-minute snatches of time when I could have ... "

" Rasenberger is a bit kind to Frederick Cook. "

" Great insight was shown into all the main cultural and technological advances of the year. Great read! "

" A very readable history of the year. I read because I am writing a book about 1905 Boston and wanted to see how someone else had treated a similar theme. Lots of great stories about the Wright Brothers, Teddy Roosevelt, and other memorable characters. "

" The problem is the book resembles someone going through the New York Times one day at a time a writing about that event with a little perspective. "

" While it contained interesting stories, this book seemed like it was less than the sum of its parts. It didn't feel like a coherent story. It was more of a collection of different events that took place in the same year. My favorite parts were about the Wright brothers and President T. Roosevelt. "

" This was a fabulous book about the events of 1908. From the Model T to the Wright Brothers to Teddy Roosevelt, to baseball, this non-fiction read better than a novel. "

" Who knew the excitment (and racial horror) of living in the U.S. in 1908. I picked up this book on a whim and was fascinated. An easy and exciting read. "

" A really interesting narrative history overview - well written. Inspired me to look for some other books on the same time period. "