The American Future Audiobook

" Sorry, I got bored. "

" This isn't so much of a history of America as it is a history of how Americans view the future. Perhaps of all countries America has always been the most progressive and forward-looking, not in the usual liberal sense of the words, but in the sense of moving forward, seeing what's next. The most obvious example of this is the exploring of the West and Manifest Destiny. Obviously this spirit of pushing forwards, pushing out has casualties, and this book explores that particularly well - the cataclysm of the Civil War, the nativist backlash to immigration, the betrayal of American principles with the Mexican war, the genocide of the Native Americans. Schama writes wonderfully well; he has a very witty, wry tone, and this is an excellent read, albeit a little fragmented. "

" Schama's prose becomes more self-indulgent with every book he writes, and this tome takes the tendency to a new extreme. I watched the BBC series beforehand and was dazzled by the episode on "American Plenty", learning for the first time about John Wesley Powell and finding out that Las Vegas is the most conservation-conscious city in the West. Sadly, that was not the chapter that stood out the most in the book (the narrative of the Trail of Tears seems misplaced). The most original thesis is in "American Fervor", where he posits that religious tolerance handed down from the founding fathers is he best way to engage religious fundamentalism. "

" I'm giving this one three stars, but I really feel it's pretty obtuse; I can get into some fairly dry non-fiction, but found myself skimming through sections of the book. The parts didn't make a whole for me. "

" Great book. Don't agree with his politics (more liberal than I am) but he gives a great view of an American history not typically told and connects it, sometimes at a stretch, with current events. I have already recommended it to friends. "

" Wow, I loved it. "

" interesting stories, but I think it could be better organized "

" As always an enthralling and unusual take on his subject.Despite the title this is a history of some of the main themes in American history that puts into perspective the current Obama era. "

" The beginning seems a bit strange as the way the author put is different from other historical reading. But later you will find it as amazing and fabulous as you go on. "

" I don't know enough about the discipline of historical research to declare one man the best historian of our time, but I'll fearlessly call Simon Schama the best writer in English of history in our time. "

" Very differences of historical narrative showing the genesis of many political divides that exist in America. "

" This is an interesting book by a prolific author. A close look at a number of areas of American history--very eclectic. Would definitely recommend. "

" I'm giving this one three stars, but I really feel it's pretty obtuse; I can get into some fairly dry non-fiction, but found myself skimming through sections of the book. The parts didn't make a whole for me. "

" Very differences of historical narrative showing the genesis of many political divides that exist in America. "

" I may upgrade this, because as the reading progresses it gets better. I found the language of the beginning -- a kind of 'historian as cool dude' language -- off-putting. So we'll have to suspend judgment and see how it goes. "

" The beginning seems a bit strange as the way the author put is different from other historical reading. But later you will find it as amazing and fabulous as you go on. "

" not bad, i have just read a bit too many american history books lately and i did find much new perspective here. "

" Great book. Don't agree with his politics (more liberal than I am) but he gives a great view of an American history not typically told and connects it, sometimes at a stretch, with current events. I have already recommended it to friends. "

" Narrated by Rupert Degas. I learned things I didn't know and re-learned things. It's always fun to hear a different perspective. This book makes me want to read more about American history. This is the 1st Simon Schama book I've read. Would like to read more. Have enjoyed his TV specials. "

" Good book; Schama (at least for me) isn't what you would call light reading; it requires some focus to enjoy. He takes a very unique viewpoint on the scope of american history through the eyes of some of the lesser known characters of the past. "