Koncocoo

Best World History

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. “Yuval Noah Harari’s celebrated Sapiens does for human evolution what Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time did for physics.… He does a superb job of outlining our slow emergence and eventual domination of the planet.” ( Forbes ). “[I]nteresting and provocative…It gives you a sense of perspective on how briefly we’ve been on this earth, how short things like agriculture and science have been around, and why it makes sense for us to not take them for granted.” ( President Barack Obama ). “I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, engaging look at early human history…you’ll have a hard time putting it down.” ( Bill Gates ).
Reviews
"Parts of it were downright fascinating such as "imagination" being a keystone to human activity, e.g. corporations, money, and religion. Finally he keeps touching on the fact that animals have paid a terrible price for the rise of sapiens. Incidentally our family has a farm background and I eat no chicken, turkey, pork, or beef. Now I didn't give the book five stars because he makes positive references to the misguided but widely read Jared Diamond. Let me emphasize that on this snowy March day the cat and I are both glad we don't need to go out and scavenge something off the frozen earth."
"A standard history of the human race begins with Paleolithic proto-humans, traces the development of modern man or homo sapiens sapiens, then chronicles the beginnings and expansions of human civilization from agriculture to the present. He asks how "An Animal of No Significance" managed to become the dominant life form, and whether that animal's learning to produce his own food and then to further harness the natural world to his will through science were boons or setbacks, both for that animal and for the rest of the biosphere."
"An amazing book which gives great insight into the history of human beings for our entire 200,000 years of existence from a 30,000 feet level."
"I found it to be very good but no better than other books I have read on these topics."
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What Happened
Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules. In these pages, she describes what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward. It is a candid and blackly funny account of her mood in the direct aftermath of losing to Donald J. Trump. Ultimately, the book might be a historical artifact most of all — the chronicling of what, exactly, it was like to run for president as the first woman major-party candidate (and, yes, a Clinton as well). Plenty may disagree with Clinton’s opinions on what went wrong for her, but her story will still be an important part of that history when America looks back on the melee that was the 2016 election.” —. NPR. While What Happened records the perspective of a pioneer who beat an unprecedented path that stopped just shy of the White House, it also covers territory that many women will recognize.... She demonstrates that she can mine her situation for humor.” — People.
Reviews
"She was less convincing on this front as virtually nothing Sanders said against HRC during the primary battle was new; his criticisms of HRC were general talking points before Sanders ever entered the contest. The book whitewashes the DNC's actions against Sanders during the primary, actions that turned a good number of Sanders supporters (HRC continues use of the odious "Bernie Bros." epithet) against her. HRC praises the hard work of Donna Brazile but fails to mention how Brazile was caught stealing debate questions (for the debate with Sanders) from CNN and then leaking those questions to HRC and not to Sanders. What is telling in HRC's memoir and analysis are her own blind spots, her weakness as a campaigner who fails to inspire, her over-reliance on her status as "first female Presidential nominee from a major party" (53% of white women voted for Trump, but HRC doesn't examine why), and her refusal to acknowledge how the DNC, during the primary, alienated the progressive voters she would later need to win the general election. (Even here, though, we have figures now indicating that 12% of Sanders supporters went over to Trump, whereas in 2008, after HRC lost the primary to Obama, 24% of her supporters went over to McCain. In other words, Sanders supporters were still more supportive of HRC than HRC's supporters were of Obama by 2-to-1.)."
"I wrote a verified purchase review and it has been deleted 3 times."
"I'm a non-partisan who has actually read this book and have to agree with many of the negative reviews here."
"what happened to the negative reviews?"
"In my previous review I referenced her book Hard Choices...."Believe it or not I actually liked this book.""
"I voted for her."
"I voted for Bill Clinton in both Presidential elections and voted for Hillary Clinton against Trump last year. I think that there are some good things to be said about Hillary Clinton. But still, this book seems to crystallize for me a lot of the problems that I have with Hillary Clinton at this moment in time, and the problems that I have with the Democratic party, and in general why I think that they are currently doing so badly. Although Clinton does attempt in the book to explain why she lost the election, in the end, she really seems to have no idea. If instead the book had been called "What Campaigning in the 2016 Election Was Like for Me," likely I would feel comfortable giving the book another star. So if the goal of the reader is to learn more about Hillary Clinton, as a person, then perhaps this book is worth reading. What the book does not do is to provide any reasoned or persuasive discussion on what I see as the key questions that political leaders need to be discussing with regard to the 2016 election and the current state of affairs. In my opinion, the biggest question that Clinton does not discuss at all in this book is how much the Democratic party has turned all of its focus toward the goal of making rich people (like Jeff Bezos, no?). Not once in the book does she consider the possibility that perhaps the reason that Sanders was popular was because the Democratic party (as well as the Republican party) had focused too much of its attention on the 1% (or, more specifically, the 0.0001%) and had left the rest of the population out in the cold. In general, the impression that I get from this book about Clinton in general - in terms of her political life and her personal life - is that she believes she is right about everything, that she is very very defensive about the idea that she is right about everything, and that she is very slow to change in the face of new information. All of those are the LAST things that I would use if I got sick, and the idea of Hillary Clinton forcing them on me anyway makes me wonder what other kinds of outmoded, counterproductive things she would have tried to force on the American public had she become President."
"It's an incredible look at how hard a person can work to come up with every reason possible why everyone else is to blame."
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Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Tackling evolutionary concepts from a historian’s perspective, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , describes human development through a framework of three not-necessarily-orthodox “Revolutions”: the Cognitive, the Agricultural, and the Scientific. His ideas are interesting and often amusing: Why have humans managed to build astonishingly large populations when other primate groups top out at 150 individuals? Because our talent for gossip allows us to build networks in societies too large for personal relationships between everyone, and our universally accepted “imagined realities”--such as money, religion, and Limited Liability Corporations—keep us in line. Though the concepts are unusual and sometimes heavy (as is the book, literally) Harari’s deft prose and wry, subversive humor make quick work of material prone to academic tedium. He’s written a book of popular nonfiction (it was a bestseller overseas, no doubt in part because his conclusions draw controversy) landing somewhere in the middle of a Venn diagram of genetics, sociology, and history. An engrossing read.” (Dan Ariely, New York Times Bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality , and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty ). “Yuval Noah Harari’s celebrated Sapiens does for human evolution what Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time did for physics.… He does a superb job of outlining our slow emergence and eventual domination of the planet.” ( Forbes ). “Writing with wit and verve, Harari…attempts to explain how Homo sapiens came to be the dominant species on Earth as well as the sole representative of the human genus.… Provocative and entertaining.” ( Publishers Weekly ). “In this sweeping look at the history of humans, Harari offers readers the chance to reconsider, well, everything, from a look at why Homo sapiens endured to a compelling discussion of how society organizes itself through fictions.” ( Booklist Best Books of the Year).
Reviews
"Parts of it were downright fascinating such as "imagination" being a keystone to human activity, e.g. corporations, money, and religion. Finally he keeps touching on the fact that animals have paid a terrible price for the rise of sapiens. Incidentally our family has a farm background and I eat no chicken, turkey, pork, or beef. Now I didn't give the book five stars because he makes positive references to the misguided but widely read Jared Diamond. Let me emphasize that on this snowy March day the cat and I are both glad we don't need to go out and scavenge something off the frozen earth."
"A standard history of the human race begins with Paleolithic proto-humans, traces the development of modern man or homo sapiens sapiens, then chronicles the beginnings and expansions of human civilization from agriculture to the present. He asks how "An Animal of No Significance" managed to become the dominant life form, and whether that animal's learning to produce his own food and then to further harness the natural world to his will through science were boons or setbacks, both for that animal and for the rest of the biosphere."
"An amazing book which gives great insight into the history of human beings for our entire 200,000 years of existence from a 30,000 feet level."
"I found it to be very good but no better than other books I have read on these topics."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best History of Civilization & Culture

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. “Yuval Noah Harari’s celebrated Sapiens does for human evolution what Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time did for physics.… He does a superb job of outlining our slow emergence and eventual domination of the planet.” ( Forbes ). “[I]nteresting and provocative…It gives you a sense of perspective on how briefly we’ve been on this earth, how short things like agriculture and science have been around, and why it makes sense for us to not take them for granted.” ( President Barack Obama ). “I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, engaging look at early human history…you’ll have a hard time putting it down.” ( Bill Gates ).
Reviews
"Parts of it were downright fascinating such as "imagination" being a keystone to human activity, e.g. corporations, money, and religion. Finally he keeps touching on the fact that animals have paid a terrible price for the rise of sapiens. Incidentally our family has a farm background and I eat no chicken, turkey, pork, or beef. Now I didn't give the book five stars because he makes positive references to the misguided but widely read Jared Diamond. Let me emphasize that on this snowy March day the cat and I are both glad we don't need to go out and scavenge something off the frozen earth."
"A standard history of the human race begins with Paleolithic proto-humans, traces the development of modern man or homo sapiens sapiens, then chronicles the beginnings and expansions of human civilization from agriculture to the present. He asks how "An Animal of No Significance" managed to become the dominant life form, and whether that animal's learning to produce his own food and then to further harness the natural world to his will through science were boons or setbacks, both for that animal and for the rest of the biosphere."
"Thought provoking."
"A fascinating read that clarified many ideas I had on how our species has come to dominate and systematically destroy much of this wonderful planet."
"Every chapter had mind-bending insights into our history."
"a well written master piece that gives the reader unique insight in our history, while making some of the difficult trade-offs in our society visible and comprehensible."
"Very interesting book."
"It uncovers the facts and truths of our human history, from the beginning of Homo Sapiens to the present time."
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Best Expeditions & Discoveries World History

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Their survival, and the survival of the men they left behind, depended on their small lifeboat successfully finding the island of South Georgia-a tiny dot of land in a vast and hostile ocean. 'A superb account of the greatest survival story of our time' - Chris Bonington The story of Ernest Shackleton's epic journey to cross the Antarctic overland has now been turned into four hours of gripping television with Kenneth Branagh playing Shackleton. Shackleton's mission failed, but the resulting adventure became one of the most celebrated accounts of man's survival against unbelievable odds.
Reviews
"Other must-reads in the genre are The Long Walk (though that turns out to be most likely fiction so I no longer recommend it), Into the Wild, and Arctic Adventure: My Life in the Frozen North. At the time of launching, Shakleton's expedition was history's most extensively planned exploratory trip to Antarctic, complete with a photographer, scientists, carpenters and engineers (a crew of 27 in total). The crew salvaged what it could and was forced to make do with dwindling supplies and provisions, eventually eating some of their beloved dogs. I won't dampen your reading pleasure by giving away too much of the unfolding events, but through a combination of amazing resourcefulness, outstanding leadership, and ultimately incredible luck on the part of Shakleton, the whole crew survived without a single life lost."
"The actual photographs of the Endurance stuck in the ice are worth the price of the new edition."
"Absolutely fascinating journey and the author did an awesome job with his research."
"Incredible, exciting and at times terrifying firsthand report of the ill-fated attempt by iconic English adventurer Ernest Shackleton to cross the Antarctic by land. Note: I happened to read this book during a week on Hilton Head Island during the month of August in some of the balmiest weather I've ever experienced -- the irony wasn't lost on me while reading it that there possibly could be no more environment so totally opposite the one described in this books harrowing but fascinating and inspirational pages."
"Although I know every sequence and outcome, I don't tire of this epic narrative, and the final chapter never fails to make me tear up."
"A great read for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, fest adventures, and especially the cold."
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Best Jewish History

Man's Search for Meaning, Gift Edition
With a foreword by Harold S. Kushner, Frankl’s classic is presented here in an elegant new edition with endpapers, supplementary photographs, and several of Frankl’s previously unpublished letters, speeches, and essays. One of the classic psychiatric texts of our time, Man's Search for Meaning is a meditation on the irreducible gift of one's own counsel in the face of great suffering, as well as a reminder of the responsibility each of us owes in valuing the community of our humanity. "Dr. Frankl's words have a profoundly honest ring, for they rest on experiences too deep for deception… A gem of a dramatic narrative, focused upon the deepest of human problems." "An inspiring document of an amazing man who was able to garner some good from an experience so abysmally bad… Highly recommended."
Reviews
"Read this book, read this book."
"Those that had developed purpose and meaning to the harsh conditions got out of bed every morning to face another unbearable day."
"In an engaging and fascinating way, Frankl sheds some light as to how exactly people made it out of the concentration camps alive, with a will to live and with hope for the future. Frankl writes that after the initial shock of reaching the infamous camp, a prisoner would be overcome by a "delusion of reprieve", an irrational feeling of hope that his situation would somehow be changed for the better. However, after being separated from loved ones in the dreaded selections, and watching them walk towards the gas chambers to their deaths, the reality and horrification of it all dawned upon the prisoner. Frankl describes the next emotional stage as "relative apathy", which was a complete weakening of the prisoner's senses and feelings, leaving a body merely going through the motions of everyday camp routine rather than a person. According to Frankl, apathy was essential for the preservation of a prisoner's life, because it channeled every emotion he had towards the goal of making it through the day alive. Throughout this development, there still remains the question: what were the thoughts that gave a prisoner the drive to live, completely necessary for the conservation of his life? Through starvation, sickness, torture and brutality, surrounded by death and despair, man can endure it all, he can even gain something from it, so long as he has a reason to keep going. In a brilliant and insightful way, Victor Frankl has ultimately handed his readers the key to success and happiness, and the answer to many questions; he has affirmed that above all, meaning is what makes life worth living."
"Frankl recounts his time in the horror of the camps and noticed that those who gave up, who had no goal to live for, died, while many of those who did have such a goal still found meaning in life and often survived. In my books, “Advice for my Granddaughter” and its companion, “Advice for Boys,” I write that the secret of happiness is to find something you care about more than yourself, be it your family, your church, your work, rescuing dogs or people, your country or the US Marines. Frankl writes that people cannot find happiness, they mush find meaning in their lives and then happiness ensues. My favorite quote in the book is, “I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.” Frankl believes that much drug and alcohol addiction come about because the addicts have not found meaning in their lives."
"A prominent psychiatrist in pre-World War II Vienna, Doctor Frankl found himself suddenly stripped of all money, possessions, position, respect, and ultimately, his family--including his pregnant and beloved wife."
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Best Maritime History & Piracy

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates reads like an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning thriller. No one captures the danger, intrigue, and drama of the American Revolution and its aftermath like Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger.” —Brad Thor This is the little-known story of how a newly indepen­dent nation was challenged by four Muslim powers and what happened when America’s third president decided to stand up to intimidation. Few today remember these men and other heroes who inspired the Marine Corps hymn: “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea.” Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates recaptures this forgot­ten war that changed American history with a real-life drama of intrigue, bravery, and battle on the high seas. I thoroughly enjoyed this must read that brings to life a critical period in our nation’s history and shows the importance of a navy in our nation’s security.” —KIRK S. LIPPOLD, former commander of the USS Cole; author of Front Burner: Al Qaeda’s Attack on the USS Cole “No one captures the danger, intrigue, and drama of the American Revolution and its aftermath like Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger.” —BRAD THOR, bestselling author of Code of Conduct “A colorful, exciting, and historic account of an overlooked portion of American military history, and a wonderful tribute to the brave sailors and Marines who set a high standard for U.S. maritime operations.” —GENERAL JACK KEANE (Ret. Count on Kilmeade and Yaeger to remind us of it with this swashbuckling adventure.” —MARCUS LUTTRELL, former Navy SEAL; author of Lone Survivor and Service “If you want to understand the deep historic roots of the 9/11 attacks and what it will take to win the war against today’s jihadists, you must read this book.” —DR.
Reviews
"Enjoyed reading and learning the history."
"I don't think this history is generally known by Americans and ought to be."
"Very informative book about a topic that is definitely not taught in school."
"Loved the book."
"A GREAT HISTORY LESSON.WHAT THE GREAT PRESIDENTS DID TO MAKE AMERICA WHAT IT IS TODAY.IT SHOULD SHOW ALL AMERICANS WHAT WE MUST DO TODAY TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY STRONG."
"Very interesting to read about the history of early merchant shipping in the Mediterranean and the sort of piracy that continues along the west African Coast (Somalia)."
"Great detail, almost too much at first but once accustom to it I wanted more."
"Amazing story."
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Best Religious History

Killing Jesus (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series)
Millions of readers have thrilled by bestselling authors Bill O’Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln , page-turning works of nonfiction that have changed the way we read history. The iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor led the program to the status of the highest rated cable news broadcast in the nation for sixteen consecutive years. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Reviews
"There is no writing concerning the actual miracles attributed to Jesus, but they are mentioned in the text as news of them spread into the surrounding area, so the authors appear to make no claim to any authenticity. After that, it's once again news of post death appearances spread by supposed eyewitnesses, with no attempt to state any author belief in whether or not these events actually occurred. Lest I be accused of being some type of sceptic or unbeliever, let me state that, like the authors, I am a practicing Roman Catholic and truly believe that Jesus is who he said he is and that, if I do what is right, he will greet me when I die. I know that there are many people out there who do not like O'Reilly for his political views and will allow that mind set to lead them to give this book a bad review, even though many of them will not have read it."
"The details of the physical affects of the crucifixion were tough to get through but at the same time it increased my appreciation of the suffering that Jesus endured."
"Extremely well written and engaging."
"I just finished the book Killing Jesus by Bill O'Riley."
"Throughly enjoyed this book.The history came alive with the facts presented."
"Their meticulous research brings to life the people and customs of Jesus' time and explains the human side of Jesus, his disciples, his followers, and his enemies. O'Reilly took some criticism for not putting more emphasis on the spiritual side of Jesus, but he made it plain early on that this book is a history of Jesus the man, not a companion piece to the Bible."
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Best Slavery & Emancipation History

The Dawn of Detroit: A Chronicle of Slavery and Freedom in the City of the Straits
A New York Times “Editor’s Choice” selection. A Booklist Editors’ Choice Title for 2017. “If many Americans imagine slavery essentially as a system in which black men toiled on cotton plantations, Miles upends that stereotype several times over.”. — New York Times Book Review. The result is fascinating history, little explored and eloquently told, of the limits of freedom in early America, one that adds new layers of complexity to the story of a place that exerts a strong fascination in the media and among public intellectuals, artists, and activists. “Historian Miles ( Tales from the Haunted South ) has written a book that will reorient the focus of early slavery in North America Westward to include Detroit as central to any understanding of the tangled relations of French, English, Euro-Americans, Indians, and Africans on the frontier from the 18th to early 19th century. “In this exemplary history that shows how slavery made early Detroit, Professor Tiya Miles demonstrates that Malcolm X (whose activist father was lynched in Michigan) was right when he insisted that all of the United States is south of the Mason-Dixon Line. There is no finer writer among historians than Tiya Miles.”. — Edward Baptist, professor, department of history, Cornell University, and author of The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism. “Extracting seemingly lost lives from sparse records to recover the humanity of people regarded as property, Tiya Miles exposes the tenacity of slavery and forced labor, both black and Indian, in multiethnic and multicultural Detroit during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. “The Dawn of Detroit once again demonstrates that Tiya Miles is the rarest sort of historian: a brilliant and humane observer who can build an account of the terrifying difference of the past out of a series of observations that have the plain familiarity of family history.”. — Walter Johnson, Winthrop Professor of History, Harvard University, and author of Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market. Praise for Tiya Miles: “[Tiya Miles] has reframed and reinterpreted the history of our diverse nation.” —The MacArthur Foundation.
Reviews
"It would be easy to think of this book as the slavery in early Detroit book. This book is the first whole book on early Detroit. There are now three canonical books for understanding colonial Detroit: Brian Dunnigan’s Frontier Metropolis for the images, Helen Tanner’s Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History for the maps and Tiya Miles masterpiece The Dawn of Detroit for the story of North America’s most interesting and soulful city."
"No Moral High Ground for Northerners. Joel Thurtell. In the small Michigan town where I grew up, the cemetery has a statue of a Union soldier wearing a US Army cap and holding a rifle. These are reminders that Michigan sent men to fight and die to preserve the Union and free the South’s slaves. After “The Dawn of Detroit,” it will not be possible for Northerners smugly to condemn the South as a slave-owning society whose “peculiar institution” was overthrown by forces of good directed from a North that abhorred slavery. She ingeniously uses primary sources such as the ancient baptism records of Detroit’s St. Anne’s church to identify both owners and slaves. These people, known as “panis,” worked in bondage at the same time that Africans were being imported to the New World to provide unpaid labor to Europeans, who employed either form of slave as opportunity arose."
"There is no part of our country, and our daily lives, that are not touched by the effects of slavery and dehumanization of both African Americans and Indigenous Americans. Miles not only provides the detailed research that is required for such a shift in thinking, but she does it in a way that brings to life the stories of those who lived under the rule of slavers in Detroit."
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Best Women in History

What Happened
Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules. In these pages, she describes what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward. It is a candid and blackly funny account of her mood in the direct aftermath of losing to Donald J. Trump. Ultimately, the book might be a historical artifact most of all — the chronicling of what, exactly, it was like to run for president as the first woman major-party candidate (and, yes, a Clinton as well). Plenty may disagree with Clinton’s opinions on what went wrong for her, but her story will still be an important part of that history when America looks back on the melee that was the 2016 election.” —. NPR. While What Happened records the perspective of a pioneer who beat an unprecedented path that stopped just shy of the White House, it also covers territory that many women will recognize.... She demonstrates that she can mine her situation for humor.” — People.
Reviews
"She was less convincing on this front as virtually nothing Sanders said against HRC during the primary battle was new; his criticisms of HRC were general talking points before Sanders ever entered the contest. The book whitewashes the DNC's actions against Sanders during the primary, actions that turned a good number of Sanders supporters (HRC continues use of the odious "Bernie Bros." epithet) against her. HRC praises the hard work of Donna Brazile but fails to mention how Brazile was caught stealing debate questions (for the debate with Sanders) from CNN and then leaking those questions to HRC and not to Sanders. What is telling in HRC's memoir and analysis are her own blind spots, her weakness as a campaigner who fails to inspire, her over-reliance on her status as "first female Presidential nominee from a major party" (53% of white women voted for Trump, but HRC doesn't examine why), and her refusal to acknowledge how the DNC, during the primary, alienated the progressive voters she would later need to win the general election. (Even here, though, we have figures now indicating that 12% of Sanders supporters went over to Trump, whereas in 2008, after HRC lost the primary to Obama, 24% of her supporters went over to McCain. In other words, Sanders supporters were still more supportive of HRC than HRC's supporters were of Obama by 2-to-1.)."
"I wrote a verified purchase review and it has been deleted 3 times."
"I'm a non-partisan who has actually read this book and have to agree with many of the negative reviews here."
"what happened to the negative reviews?"
"I voted for her."
"I voted for Bill Clinton in both Presidential elections and voted for Hillary Clinton against Trump last year. I think that there are some good things to be said about Hillary Clinton. But still, this book seems to crystallize for me a lot of the problems that I have with Hillary Clinton at this moment in time, and the problems that I have with the Democratic party, and in general why I think that they are currently doing so badly. Although Clinton does attempt in the book to explain why she lost the election, in the end, she really seems to have no idea. If instead the book had been called "What Campaigning in the 2016 Election Was Like for Me," likely I would feel comfortable giving the book another star. So if the goal of the reader is to learn more about Hillary Clinton, as a person, then perhaps this book is worth reading. What the book does not do is to provide any reasoned or persuasive discussion on what I see as the key questions that political leaders need to be discussing with regard to the 2016 election and the current state of affairs. In my opinion, the biggest question that Clinton does not discuss at all in this book is how much the Democratic party has turned all of its focus toward the goal of making rich people (like Jeff Bezos, no?). Not once in the book does she consider the possibility that perhaps the reason that Sanders was popular was because the Democratic party (as well as the Republican party) had focused too much of its attention on the 1% (or, more specifically, the 0.0001%) and had left the rest of the population out in the cold. In general, the impression that I get from this book about Clinton in general - in terms of her political life and her personal life - is that she believes she is right about everything, that she is very very defensive about the idea that she is right about everything, and that she is very slow to change in the face of new information. All of those are the LAST things that I would use if I got sick, and the idea of Hillary Clinton forcing them on me anyway makes me wonder what other kinds of outmoded, counterproductive things she would have tried to force on the American public had she become President."
"In my previous review I referenced her book Hard Choices...."Believe it or not I actually liked this book.""
"It's an incredible look at how hard a person can work to come up with every reason possible why everyone else is to blame."
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Best Scotland History

How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It
How the Scots Invented the Modern World reveals how Scottish genius for creating the basic ideas and institutions of modern life stamped the lives of a series of remarkable historical figures, from James Watt and Adam Smith to Andrew Carnegie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and how Scottish heroes continue to inspire our contemporary culture, from William “Braveheart” Wallace to James Bond. It is only natural, Herman suggests, that a country that once ranked among Europe's poorest, if most literate, would prize the ideal of progress, measured "by how far we have come from where we once were."
Reviews
"It's certainly no puff-piece for Scotland, because the author minces no words describing the darker side of 17th and 18th Century Scottish culture, but it is a scholarly and well-rounded view of the birthplace of the Enlightenment and its profound effect on Western thought, politics and education."
"While the last fourth or third of this book dragged on with a little to much detail that failed to hold my interest (except for the conclusion)."
"assuming it is historically correct it has an annoying style to as if the author feels the Scots are somewhat inferior and the world needs to know how great they were."
"Very interesting regarding the education aspect of the Scots who settled in East Alabama ,etc."
"Who knew I said repeatedly to my husband as I read to him many of the interesting stories in this book."
"Very interesting history of how the Scots contributed to our ideas of the relation of individuals to society."
"We found this book fascinating!"
"Way to long winded."
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Best Panama History

The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1914
The National Book Award–winning epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal, a first-rate drama of the bold and brilliant engineering feat that was filled with both tragedy and triumph, told by master historian David McCullough. David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback .
Reviews
"It covers: - The enormous failure and scandal of the failed first attempt to build the canal by the French who had built the Suez canal. But McCullough gives you perspective as in this example: Theodore Roosevelt asked his attorney general, Philander Knox, to provide legal cover after Roosevelt had fomented a revolution in Panama in order to acquire land to build the Panama Canal."
"It is a story set in the history of the time and Mr McCullough weaves the various threads of medical advance, excavation technology, failures in planning and international relationship into a tapestry of history beautifully."
"This book is outstanding."
"While history can be- at times boring- this well written story of the multiple elements effecting the canal-personal, political, geographical, engineering, etc is intriguing and informative."
"But the whole story - from the creation of the Suez Canal, to the finish of the Panama Canal is an epic."
"It is broken into three parts: (1) the French attempt and failure, (2) the U.S. decision to take over the canal, (3) and the US's success in completing the canal. The slowest and least interesting part of the book was the discussion of the French's failure and the lawsuits and controversy."
"This book should be required reading for anyone planning to transit the canal."
"Read it before you visit the canal."
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Best El Salvador History

The Massacre at El Mozote
In December 1981 soldiers of the Salvadoran Army's select, American-trained Atlacatl Battalion entered the village of El Mozote, where they murdered hundreds of men, women, and children, often by decapitation. After 11 years of investigation, political pressure, and intense lobbying efforts by human rights groups, civil libertarians, and concerned individuals, the truth of what really happened in 1981 in this remote Salvadoran village finally began to emerge, a flashback to the infamous My Lai massacre of the Vietnam War. The situation in El Mozote was similar: villagers caught in the political crossfire between rival groups during a brutal war, trying to remain on friendly terms with their own soldiers while fearing to alienate the opposition.
Reviews
"Beyond the book itself, I was reminded of the chapter in "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media" on the press treatment of the rape and murder of the four U.S. churchwomen some months before the massacre. Dr. Long's central thesis - that Latin American governments exercise significant but generally underappreciated influence on the U.S. in their bilateral and multilateral relations - kept ringing in my head as I read this book. Finally, as someone who works with foreign militaries and the apparatus of the U.S. government, this book helped viscerally demonstrate the "why" behind the Leahy Vetting process, as tedious, glacial and extensive as its requirements can sometimes be for those at the action officer level."
"In my junior year, I joined up with a bus full of strangers from Austin, and we headed to Georgia for an annual protest designed to force the closure of the School of the Americas (later renamed the Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation). Danner writes his account in a journalistic style, giving the reader not just a graphic and nauseating play-by-play of a small group of Salvadoran soldiers storming into a town full of civilians and murdering hundreds of them in gruesome ways, but also a historical context of why the atrocity took place."
"This is a required text for my Modern Latin America course."
"I knock off a star for its journalistic slant which nudges readers into drawing odious conclusions without the basis of facts."
"I lived in Central America in the 80's but until recently, was not aware of the level of atrocity that prevailed in nearby events and governments."
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Best Trinidad & Tobago History

History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago
Dr. Eric Williams was Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1961 until his death in 1981.
Reviews
"I would have liked to learn more about the slavery of blacks and semi-slavery of Indians but it was enough information to get a taste. Great read for American Trinis who want to learn their heritage which is very important!"
"Always love reading about my country and remembering all the things the generations had gone through but sadly and heartbreaking OUR sweet island is struggling after all this time."
"For anyone wanting another perspective about the history of Trinidad and Tobago."
"The book moves at a good pace and includes anecdotes, numbers and interesting quotes."
"Very informative, well written.Book arrived earlier than promised A's in excellent condition."
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Best Saint Vincent Country History

Mustique
it is a great book.
Reviews
"This book is a wonder. But this book IS appealing, it's the embodiment of the capitalist dream: get the money and THEN what do you do with it?"
"This is an excellently written book about one of the world's most expensive "developments," a scrub island turned into a multi-millionaires' paradise."
"I think this book captures the true essence of the island of Mustique."
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Best Andorra Travel Guides

Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City
This unique book examines the history, culture, and inner workings of the seven smallest independent countries in Europe.
Reviews
"It is a delightful tour of the micro-states of Europe: The Principality of Andorra (a unitary semi-elective parliamentary diarchy), the Principality of Liechtenstein (a monarchy), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy), the Republic of Malta (a unitary parliamentary republic), the Principality of Monaco (unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy), the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (a unitary parliamentary directorial republic), and the State of the Vatican City (an absolute monarchy, ecclesiastical and elective theocracy)."
"The author has good basic knowledge of all of them, and although brief in history and sights, this book is a good introduction to all of them with a useful, if now somewhat dated bibliography for further reading."
"insightful, well written, and on point."
"Excelent!"
"Had great information on counties that do not have a lot of published information about them."
"Excellent and well researched book that deals with the history and geography of the seven smallest states of Europe."
"I liked the book, thematic interesting and easy to understand."
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Best Philosopher Biographies

The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
Even after spending only a few minutes in his presence you can't help feeling happier. He's tried to answer it before, but he's never had the help of a psychiatrist to get the message across in a context we can easily understand. Together with Dr. Howard Cutler, he explores many facets of everyday life, including relationships, loss, and the pursuit of wealth, to illustrate how to ride through life's obstacles on a deep and abiding source of inner peace. A leading expert on the science of human happiness, Dr. Cutler is coauthor, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, of the acclaimed Art of Happiness series of books, international bestsellers that have been translated into fifty languages.
Reviews
"This book changed my life when I first read it in 2009."
"Great advice for living and overall it's a good audio book but most of the Dalai Lama's words appear to be read by another voice-over actor."
"very insightful about how to be happy as you go through life,by a man who has had many reasons to be unhappy and has managed to be a light to the modern world with his ancient wisdom."
"It was an easy read, discovering new knowledge in the path which I am taking now."
"The best book I've ever read."
"Really accessible read and was in excellent shape when it arrived."
"This is not a book about Buddhism - it's a book about being human, about being the same in our search for happiness and our struggle with suffering."
"I liked that concepts and the way in which the book compares and contrasts these concepts against western and eastern approaches."
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Best Antique & Collectible Autographs

Dad Life: A Manly Adult Coloring Book: A Unique & Funny Antistress Coloring Gift for Fathers to Be, New Daddys & Husbands of Expecting Mothers ... Stress Relief & Mindful Meditation)
This is your life: Kids, Cooking, Carpool, Coaching, Calling out the backyard, “Keep that racket down, I’m trying to watch ESPN!” It sounds like you need a break! Printed single-sided on bright white paper Premium matte cover finish Soothing seamless patterns on reverse pages Perfect for all coloring mediums High quality 60 pound paper stock Large format 8.5" wide x 11.0" tall pages.
Reviews
"Great gift for a Dad."
"I was also excited to learn that Papeterie Bleu Adult Coloring Books has a full line. I received Papeterie Bleu Adult Coloring Books' Dad Life: A Manly Adult Coloring Book at a discounted price in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read my review, I hope you will find it helpful."
"Each rating I give for each product I receive is always 100% honest and based solely on my own use (or family member's) and experiences with them. Based on my history of reviews you will see that I am not afraid to rate a product as "poor" based on a bad performance, bad quality, or even not performing as expected."
"You can probably get one of these done within an hour or less, instead of spending your next three weekends trying to finish it. I love it. I got this book at a discount in exchange for my honest review, but since I'm being honest, I don't think I'd pay the asking $10 for this book in the future."
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Best Antique & Collectible Stamps

Swear Word Coloring Book: I Don't Give A Damn Adult Coloring Book Featuring Sweary Words & Funny Phrases
Each Coloring Page is designed for Fun and Relaxation It includes a Digital PDF Edition for Unlimited Printing It includes 29 Exclusive Swear Word & Funny Phrases Coloring Pages Designed for Adults Each Coloring Page is printed on a separate sheet to avoid bleed through Each Swear Word is Designed with Flowers, Motifs, and Patterns The Variety of Pages Ensure There is Something for Every Skill Level Follow us on Snapchat at: Rainbowcoloring. Featuring some of the most inappropriate swear words imaginable, these beautiful designs are a joy to color.
Reviews
"If using gel pens or markers to color, I always recommend placing a few sheets of paper in between the pages so nothing goes through or else I personally like to use a piece of poster board. I like to know what is in a book for the designs before buying it and many don't show you and then you end up with something you thought you'd like but then don't."
"This is my favorite by far!"
"Always a great gift for someone with a good sense of humor."
"I literally bought these cursey coloring books for all my staff."
"Feel like cussing everyone that you talk to?"
"Nice drawings on quality paper."
"Love these books."
"it's fun but watch out with using markers because it bleeds through to the other side."
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