
Disturber of the Peace
The Life of H. L. Mencken
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Narrated by:
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Anthony Heald
About this listen
Here also is Mencken's human side, not just his rambunctious wit but also his courtesy and hospitality, his support of struggling writers, and his personal foibles. What emerges is a compelling portrait of an extraordinary man.
First released in 1951, this edition includes a new introduction and final chapter.
©1979 William Manchester (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.People who viewed this also viewed...
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American author, scholar, and satirist H.L. Mencken wrote The American Language in 1919, intending to defend American speech from prescriptivist critics. "America itself is unutterably vulgar. But vulgarity, after all, means no more than a yielding to natural impulses in the face of conventional inhibitions, and that yielding to natural impulses is at the heart of all healthy language-making."
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If only newsmen wrote as this now
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As the world still reeled from the tragic and historic events of November 22, 1963, William Manchester set out, at the request of the Kennedy family, to create a detailed, authoritative record of President John F. Kennedy's death, including the days immediately preceding and following the assassination.
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IMPORTANT HISTORIC BOOK
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Virtually all Americans above a certain age hold strong opinions about Douglas MacArthur. They either worship him or despise him. Now, in this superb book, one of our most outstanding writers, after a meticulous three-year examination of the record, presents his startling insights about the man. The narrative is gripping, because the general's life was fascinating. It is moving, because he was a man of vision. It ends, finally, in tragedy, because his character, though majestic, was tragically flawed.
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Extraordinary
- By Josey Wales on 12-03-22
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The American Language
- An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States
- By: H. L. Mencken
- Narrated by: Rebecca H. Lee
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
American author, scholar, and satirist H.L. Mencken wrote The American Language in 1919, intending to defend American speech from prescriptivist critics. "America itself is unutterably vulgar. But vulgarity, after all, means no more than a yielding to natural impulses in the face of conventional inhibitions, and that yielding to natural impulses is at the heart of all healthy language-making."
-
-
Interesting book.
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By: H. L. Mencken
-
Notes on Democracy
- By: H. L. Mencken
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written during the 1920s, an era that reflects much of our modern times 100 years later, this book by culture critic and scholar Mencken dissects what democracy is. The book’s three parts are “Democratic Man,” “The Democratic State” that includes a chapter on popular will and a chapter on politicians, and “Democracy and Liberty” with a section on corruption under democracy, followed by a “Coda” that discusses the future of democracy.
-
-
If only newsmen wrote as this now
- By David on 12-05-23
By: H. L. Mencken
-
Goodbye, Darkness
- A Memoir of the Pacific War
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
- Length: 15 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This memoir offers an unrivaled firsthand account of World War II in the Pacific - what it looked like, sounded like, smelled like, and most of all, what it felt like to one who underwent all but the ultimate of its experiences.
-
-
The best war memoir ever
- By Doug on 05-31-07
-
The Death of a President
- November 20 - November 25, 1963
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 33 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the world still reeled from the tragic and historic events of November 22, 1963, William Manchester set out, at the request of the Kennedy family, to create a detailed, authoritative record of President John F. Kennedy's death, including the days immediately preceding and following the assassination.
-
-
IMPORTANT HISTORIC BOOK
- By Jeff on 12-06-13
-
American Caesar
- Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 31 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Virtually all Americans above a certain age hold strong opinions about Douglas MacArthur. They either worship him or despise him. Now, in this superb book, one of our most outstanding writers, after a meticulous three-year examination of the record, presents his startling insights about the man. The narrative is gripping, because the general's life was fascinating. It is moving, because he was a man of vision. It ends, finally, in tragedy, because his character, though majestic, was tragically flawed.
-
-
A Great American
- By Charlotte A. Hu on 05-19-13
-
Portrait of a President
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by a prize-winning historian and biographer of such giants as Winston S. Churchill and Douglas MacArthur, this intimately detailed account provides a rare personal glimpse into the emotions behind the Kennedy administration - from the elation of victory to the frustrating challenges facing a young president at a pivotal turning point in US history. Originally published in 1962 - before the assassination of JFK - Portrait of a President is William Manchester’s first biography of the 35th president of the United States.
-
-
Extraordinary
- By Josey Wales on 12-03-22
Anthony Heald's narration is marvelous - sarcastic, boisterous, warm, sad, or sweet by turns as appropriate to the text. This audio book is highly recommended.
A Revelation
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refreshing
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If you could sum up Disturber of the Peace in three words, what would they be?
Fun. Informative. Well-writtenWhat did you like best about this story?
I will read anything William Manchester wrote. I love his flair for story telling and making you understand Menchen.Have you listened to any of Anthony Heald’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, new listener but satisfiedA fascinating biography of a very eccentric genius
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A very enjoyable read
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Well Written and Well Narrated
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worthwhile
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Manchester delivers a caring, careful bio. If you like the form, this is an excellent specimen.
Am glad I read it, but think I'd get more from Mencken's own work.
An American original
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The reader does an outstanding job with only a few mispronunciations.
This rendition of the Manchester biography is a real tour de force! It makes for a delightful listening experience.
Fascinating biography of The Bard of Baltimore!
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