Ernest K. Gann’s classic memoir is an up-close and thrilling account of the treacherous early days of commercial aviation. In his inimitable style; Gann brings you right into the cockpit; recounting both the triumphs and terrors of pilots who flew when flying was anything but routine.
#50763 in Books imusti 2016-11-01 2016-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.82 x 6.39l; 1.84 #File Name: 0670024686608 pagesViking
Review
111 of 118 people found the following review helpful. Not Entirely SuccessfulBy R. AlbinThis is the third volume of the Penguin History of the United States. It covers a large chunk of American history; from the early 19th century to just prior to WWI. In large part because of the large extent of the period discussed; this book is uneven. Hahn adopts a hybrid chronological-thematic form of organizing the text. The individual chapters are largely devoted to exploring major themes as they arose in chronological context. The initial chapters on the antebellum US cover the nature of US expansion; the impacts; both political and economic; of slavery; the increasing penetration of market economies in American life; and the demise of the decentralized state in the great sectional conflicts that led to the Civil War. Chapters of the second half cover the Civil War; the development of a more powerful central state; the great advance; in large part on the back of an increasingly powerful state; of industrial capitalism; and the variety of reform and other reactions to these immense social changes. Hahn attempts a consistent theme throughout the chapters; which is that of constant expansion; a form of imperialism.Many of the individual chapters and sections are very good. Much of the second half of the book; Hahn's area of expertise; is particularly good. The sections dealing with industrialization; the changes in the US political system; and the diverse and often contradictory nature of reform movements are excellent. These sections are really the best overviews of these complex subjects that I've read.This book; however; falls between two stools. As a survey; it is a failure. Because of the long period covered; it simply doesn't have the necessary narrative to be an adequate basic introduction. As a more analytic book focused on major themes; it is more successful but suffers from including too much narrative. A more successful analytic book would have to be shorter and more focused on major themes. A lot of Hahn's discussions are well worth reading but will only be really intelligible to individuals with a good background knowledge of American history.There are other defects. Hahn (and the reviewers' quotes on the dust jacket) tout this as a new interpretation. Its not. Hahn's emphasis on "empire" is hardly novel; as can be seen by looking at the list of books (some published decades ago) in the excellent bibliography. In addition; and as is unfortunately common; the term empire is used in such a general way as to be useless as an analytic category. The book promises some kind of broad comparative perspective; but other than short and actually superfluous introductory and epilogue sections dealing with Mexico; there is little comparative analysis in this book. If; for example; you were taking the idea of empire seriously in comparative perspective; you'd have to discuss what made the expansion of the American herrenvolk republic different compared to; say; imperial Russia or the Argentine expansion into the Pampas. As is common among historians; there is little use of quantitative data. A few charts on population growth; economic statistics; etc.; would be very useful and markedly enhance the discussions in the text.To be fair; writing a major survey is very difficult and I suspect that Hahn was not responsible for the excessively ambitious choice of period. For individuals looking for strong major surveys; I can't recommend this book. I think readers' time would be better spent on the relevant books in the outstanding Oxford History of the US series. The Oxford series; however; hasn't issued the volumes dealing the aftermath of the Civil War and the ensuing decades. For that period; I would read an introductory text such as Alan Brinkley's fine book and then the relevant chapters of this book.5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A ground breaking surveiy.By Alvin J. ZiontzA groundbreaking survey of the growth of the American empire. I have never read any book of history which so dramatically described the efforts of the American slaves to fight for their freedom. It is equally valuable as a history of American policy toward its indigenous people. The book is unsparing in its description of the Army's wars of extermination of our native people.. The book also gives unique histories of the American wars with Mexico; and its naked aggrandizement in seizing Hawaii and the Philippines. More importantly author traces the long running conflict between ordinary Americans and the corporate world. I highly recommend it.Alvin ZiontzSeattle; Wa.3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Hahn provides a captivating and original account of 19th century ...By A CalifornianHahn provides a captivating and original account of 19th century U.S. history that places the West at the epicenter of the related processes of nation building and capitalist transformation. This is a remarkable work of synthesis and reinterpretation.
