Scoticus
- 6
- reviews
- 8
- helpful votes
- 30
- ratings
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Oath and Honor
- A Memoir and a Warning
- By: Liz Cheney
- Narrated by: Liz Cheney
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many around him, including certain other elected Republican officials, intentionally breached their oath to the Constitution: they ignored the rulings of dozens of courts, plotted to overturn a lawful election, and provoked a violent attack on our Capitol.
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Most important book I've ever read.
- By James m Finamore jr on 12-07-23
- Oath and Honor
- A Memoir and a Warning
- By: Liz Cheney
- Narrated by: Liz Cheney
If you care to know the truth...
Reviewed: 10-01-24
I have tremendous respect for conservative Republicans who have faced certain exclusion and threats of violence by simply doing what our constitution and our democracy require of ethical public servants. But more than that I wanted the back story of the phenomenal work this committee did in bringing mountains of evidence to the public in a digestible non-political way. This book does that.
The vast perponderance of evidence is from Trump Republicans. Liz no doubt helped the real Patriots feel more comfortable in coming forward. It was an important act of patriotism. Knowing what we know, How is it possible that tens of millions of Americans consider Donald Trump a good option for President? I prefer to think they do not know the facts and the truth. Plenty of both in this book. Read and spread the word.
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The Help
- By: Kathryn Stockett
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.
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What a great surprise!
- By Jan on 12-02-09
- The Help
- By: Kathryn Stockett
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, Cassandra Campbell
Excellent, a reminder of the importance of kindness
Reviewed: 05-22-24
More relevant now in 2024 than when it was published. When someone stands before you, telling you why you should hate. RUN!!!!!
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The Three Lives of James Madison
- Genius, Partisan, President
- By: Noah Feldman
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
- Length: 34 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Over the course of his life, James Madison changed the United States three times: First, he designed the Constitution, led the struggle for its adoption and ratification, then drafted the Bill of Rights. As an older, cannier politician, he cofounded the original Republican party, setting the course of American political partisanship. Finally, having pioneered a foreign policy based on economic sanctions, he took the United States into a high-risk conflict, becoming the first wartime president and, despite the odds, winning.
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Cogently organized, meticulously balanced
- By Diana Black Kennedy on 06-15-18
- The Three Lives of James Madison
- Genius, Partisan, President
- By: Noah Feldman
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
A little more balance please
Reviewed: 07-01-21
Loved the first half. The constitution building was particularly good. The three phases concept is completely valid. Madison's political phase has some balance but is judged as a necessity to save democracy. I have been struck by Madison's and Jefferson's duplicity in attacking Washington"s presidency secretly for policies that both of them would later embrace as they became President. Few historians seem to understand how important the economy is and how money shapes events. Thus the founding father who wasn't part of the American aristocracy, who was an abolitionist, understood money and economics and who put America on solid financial footing is often vilified. Washington,the greatest man of the age, didn't place so much trust in Hamilton because he was an amoral monarchist. Although this is how Madison saw it. Fair enough,but we have the benefit of 250 years of perspective. Hamiltons economic schemes put America on the path of unrelenting growth. Washington's judgement and integrity both helped win the Revolution and secured an environment for Madisons constitution and Hamiltons financial framework. Team Madison and Jefferson were so wrong about so much but benefitted from England and France's preoccupation with each other and the basic framework of government that was in place when they got there. The reasoned gymnastics that leads us to conclude that America surviving the War of 1812 is an affirmation of Madison's brilliance is just simply crazy talk. He had no plan, made a bunch of wrong moves but despite all that we sort of won and he left office as our most popular president. This biography. despite its flaws is far superior to Cheney's. It reads like a Madison pep rally. Give me an M!
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James Madison
- A Life Reconsidered
- By: Lynne Cheney
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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A major new biography of the fourth US president, from New York Times best-selling author Lynne Cheney. James Madison was a true genius of the early republic, the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This majestic new biography tells his story. Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway.
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Great man, great ideas, muddling book
- By NDFletch on 06-13-15
- James Madison
- A Life Reconsidered
- By: Lynne Cheney
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss
Disappointing
Reviewed: 05-20-21
240 years of perspective bring nothing to this. Madison is no doubt a rock star but clearly on the wrong side of history on a number of important issues yet here we get no exploration of foibles or expansion of greatness. Its Madison as he would have liked to be remembered had Madison not observed the events of the last 240 years. Having finished wonderful recent biographies on Washington. Jefferson, Hamilton and others I was expecting more.
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Chief Seattle and the Town That Took His Name
- By: David M. Buerge
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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This is the first thorough historical account of Chief Seattle and his times - the story of a half century of tremendous flux, turmoil, and violence, during which a native American war leader became an advocate for peace and strove to create a successful hybrid racial community.
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Important
- By Scoticus on 03-15-21
- Chief Seattle and the Town That Took His Name
- By: David M. Buerge
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
Important
Reviewed: 03-15-21
Seattle, the man spoke universal truths, still too rarely understood. The currents, prejudices and small mindedness continue. This book is another strong contribution in the conversation of how can humans be better. It fits for the race discussion. It fits for the man vs nature discussion. It fits for the discussion about what is moral and ethical. With the Puget Sound teaming with native villages and people with unfamiliar names and a dialect that takes a bit get use to, it sometimes lost me but I found it well worth the effort. And for crying out loud, can we give the Duwamish the recognition they deserve?
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8 people found this helpful
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Isabella
- The Warrior Queen
- By: Kirstin Downey
- Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
- Length: 21 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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An engrossing and revolutionary biography of Isabella of Castile, the controversial Queen of Spain who sponsored Christopher Columbus's journey to the New World, established the Spanish Inquisition, and became one of the most influential female rulers in history.
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Poorly narrated
- By Amazon Customer on 02-23-15
- Isabella
- The Warrior Queen
- By: Kirstin Downey
- Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
Excellent & Important
Reviewed: 09-25-19
Foundational Information to understand our age and how we got here with plenty of examples of fortitude against enormous odds while also capturing the hearts and minds of generations.
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