Books most popular in the United States●Americas

Release date: 2010-05-25 $13.99

Comments

1. Unbelievable book - Gwynne captured so much in this book and I wish it was part of any school curriculum. His writing is impeccable with unbiased truth that allows you to understand how hard all of our ancestors had to work so that we could have it so easy. The appreciation I gained for Native American culture along with American culture through his words has put me on a never ending journey to learn all I can about the United States and how lucky I am to be here.
2022-10-24

2. History Lesson - Wow! What a difference in lifestyles and in simple cultural way of life and upbringing. Hunter and gatherer Nomads vs Farmers. Pretty obvious to see the upcoming clash simply due to growth of Americas due to its manifest destiny. Expansion westward….. I’ve learned more from books, audiobooks and Podcasts than I ever did in public school. Amazing read.
2022-04-09

3. Amazing - I thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent book. Though saddening, it is a well written account of the Indian Tribes of Texas and the Plains, and their relationship with the White Man. It will provide a much better understanding of what life was like in the ’s for the most feared Comanche Indians and the endless encounters with their competitors.
2021-12-11

4. A Great History Book! - This is a great book of Native American and South Plains history. I’ve had this book for years and I’ve read it three times. Always finding it more interesting each time. It’s now my fallback book. My Grandmother had four older half brothers (Parkers) that were Grandson's of Quanah Parker.
2021-11-30

5. History in color - Absolutely fantastic book. I loved every single page. Highlighting half the book, to follow up and reread. The research is so extensive it’s hard to imagine. The ride it takes you on, hold on. For my mind is forever changed on what I was schooled in. An Author that can not get enough praise. Thank you for telling this story in color. I felt the anguish of both sides. This is the standard of which I hold reading history to be. This taste you’ve given me. Sincerely Thank You Darrin
2020-06-05

6. Authors tend to write history -mgy - And history is emotion. With a feather that is native to its side, there is a knife on its side, that can be drawn, painted, rocked . . . The feather can be: Hellllooooo Ouuuttttt Ttthhheerrreeee / Baby, the night away! The knife is on it’s side by way of drawn feather
2020-02-11

7. Rich History - Gwynne strikes a perfect balance between the historical and emotional sides of the fighting between Comanche Indians and American settlers. This book is well-detailed but still moves fast enough to keep the reader engaged. Also, his writing does not aim to convince the reader that one side was right and the other was wrong. Rather, he unbiasedly describes all facets of the conflict, showing the reader that it cannot be boiled down to the simple good vs evil battle that we were taught in history class. Anyone living in Texas should try to give this a read.
2019-02-15

8. A great read for history of the American West - A great read because of it veracity and straight to the heart of the matter. A page turner that keeps the reader engaged from the moment you begin reading this tale of Quanah Parker and the Comanches. A story too of the continuous attempts and success of the federal government to steal the lands of the Native Americans. The instructive story here is that dependence on the government leads to a shadow life of what is really the full life of a truly free person.
2016-12-11

9. Action-packed - "Empire" is a shocking and visceral read, that explores a people that were at once beautiful and brutal. Parker's people were some of the most tactically fit warriors for their environment and, much to the chagrin of their enemies, refused to view others as fully human. As such had no problem viciously torturing any men, women, and children they came across. Lending a powerful narrative to an incredibly well researched historical account, S.C. Gwynne rarely cuts away from the gory elements.
2013-10-05

10. Amazing - I grew up in the heart of Comancheria and although I knew the name Quanah Parker, I was never taught what he represented. What happened on the plains years was the collision of two civilizations centuries apart, as though brought together by a time warp. Quanah was right in the middle of it. Gwynne's research for this book is meticulous. I recommend you read the opening ages of the bibliography first to get a feel for the challenge of writing about events long past. Gwynne is able to place the reader in the nineteenth century and it is both exhilarating and terrifying. This is ultimately a very sad story, for many different reasons. However, Quanah's tale is uplifting and shows that any person can overcome complete destruction to move forward and rebuild.
2013-05-19

11. Great book - I knew very little of the history of the Great Plains and Indian tribes coming into this book and came away with a new understanding of what life was like during the late th century on the Great Plains. I always like history books that unearth great people in history that have not received the legacy that their deeds likely deserved. Quanah and MacKenzie definitely fit the bill in this book.
2013-02-16

12. Empire of the Summer Moon - This fantastically researched and well documented story is enjoyable from the beginning because it is a true story of the "Wild West". Native America Indians get credit for who they are and why they resisted the advance from the east. If Indians were savages then the white man was the devil. This cannot be put down once you start so prepare yourself.
2012-12-28

13. Empire of the Summer Moon - A truly well written historical treasure. Well documented with ample foot notes, this book gave me a truthfull understanding of one of the world's great human experiences; the taming of the American west. You will never watch a 'Cowboy and Indian' movie the same way again.
2012-01-08

14. Empire of The Summer Moon - A super book about a Mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, and her brilliant son, Quanah. The book does have numerous obvious mistakes that should not have survived editing/vetting. An example occurs in locating three Texas towns (Turkey and two more) west of Amarillo when they are southeast of Amarillo.
2011-10-29

15. Gritty, honest, factual - Authors tend to write "history" from there own point of view, due to personal bias or desire to sell more units. This author lays out the details, researched and noted, and when any personal opinion is given, is pointed out clearly to the reader. This truly gives the reader a clear view of the Comanche history and let's emotions and opinions be formulated by the reader. I found myself loving and hating the native Americans at different points throughout this adventure. The same can be said of my outlook on both white man and the Texan culture. I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in American western history.
2011-08-06

16. Very good historical - The author knows his history and this is an intriguing one about the Indians of the South Plains who are not as well-known as the Northern Plains Indians. The book's introductory pages start with a map and it is split between two pages and not resizable. If one is going to publish a book that shows where major historical events occurred and that will offer a map, the map should be customized for the e-reader, should be in color and should note many more of the features described in the text. Instead, the map is cut between two pages, even though, were it put together, it would take less than one whole printed page. Further, it shows fewer than half the features described in the text. Additionally, the text describes a number of photographs of the historical people. All of these photos are now in the public domain, as they were taken before (the history covers about through ). Why are these famous photographs not included in the e-book? One ought not to have to resort to a web browser to see these photographs and to access a decent map that may be re-sized! I would encourage the publisher to continue to publish these important historical books, but also take advantage of the capabilities of the electronic book formats in the future.
2011-06-06

Release date: 2017-01-03 Genre:History $11.99

Comments

1. The Lost City of the Monkey God - This review has nothing to do with the book itself. Now please don’t discard this review. It has to do with the pricing of the book. In one place you have $. and in another it is $.. But yet it is called a special. Please make up your mind and let your customers know what price we are to pay. I really wanted to read this book more than any other. But I really want to know how much I will pay for it. Thank you for your time, Carin M.
2018-11-28

2. Disappointing - What a bummer. This book starts as a fabulous adventure story every bit as good as Treasure Island, except that it's true making it even better. Just when some real discoveries are made, and you're thinking you'll stay up all night to finish the book, it crashes to a banal narrative. I kept reading hoping the exciting narrative would return, but it never did. Instead there is a discussion of the disease the explorers contracted in the jungle which is about as much fun as listening to the lady's bridge club talk about their gallbladder operations. This is used as a segue to trite moralizations . Interesting things like details of discoveries at the site never appear. Save your money
2018-02-19

3. The lost city of the monkey God - Extremely well written. Story line was laid out with care to chronology. History was wonderful. Adventure attention holding. Medical saga re leash is worth the pice of admission" Although the vector-spread of the disease was attributed to global warming the author wisely did not assign "blame" or causation exclusively to man's occupation of Earth. Though Preston's ideological views were made evident in his summation, they did not do damage. This book should be a must read--for enjoyment, edification, and education! Stan farmer author of Fool on a Hill
2017-01-31

4. Intriquing does not give it justice - I read all of Douglas Preston novels and the books he is a joint writer of but had not read a non fiction one that he had written. This book was very well written and documented. It was extremely thought provoking. I am fascinated with rare viruses and the like so this book provided an extra bonus for me with Douglas covering Leishmaniasis. Very thought provoking. If you have any desire to learn more about long past societies and their archeological history then you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is very well written and one that I could not put down. Thank you Mr Preston for taking the reader on a fascinating journey.
2017-01-16

5. Not worth the read - Not worth the read. Really. If you want the story of this legendary "lost" city (which is remarkable), just go to YouTube or Wikipedia. This book is just the author's rendition of his experiences on the search. He did a good job covering the history of prior expeditions, but Wiki has that covered as well.
2017-01-08

Release date: 2012-10-23 $12.99

Comments

1. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - Heartbreaking. I never cease to be amazed at the inhumanity man can show to his fellow man, and the white, so-called, intelligent man has been responsible for so many atrocities worldwide. As a new US citizen, this book has been an eye-opener for me and it's a book I have had on my list for years. I remember the effect it had on my father when he read it in the s, and it was despair. I despair.
2013-11-24

Release date: 2020-09-08 $11.99

Comments

1. Amazing Book - I loved this book. If you want an overall history of what went on in the late s between the US government and the Indians, then this is the book for you. The authors are incredible at painting the picture of every battle, every surrender, and every interaction between these men and women. I highly recommend this book, just like I do all of the “Killing” books.
2022-12-10

2. Killing Crazy Horse - Disappointing apology for the westward expansion of Europeans in North America. It is chock full of great historical information... such as how Native American tribes routinely slaughtered their fellow tribes in the interest of expanding territory and selling their captives into slavery. But when whites did this same thing, it was somehow a horrific and unfair outcome. That is the ultimate racist commentary: we are better than that. Actually, no, we are all humans with all the same shortcomings. Shame on Bill Reilly for putting his name on this claptrap.
2020-09-11

3. Another great book from O’Reilly and Dugard - Having read all of the Bill O’Reilly’s and Martin Dugard Killing Series books, this is another rehash of history but with creative organization and, as is usual, exceptional writing. This book is an easy but interesting quick read. In my opinion this book would qualify to be mandatory reading in our high schools. It is a great recounting of how and why our country was settled from east to west and how shameful the Indians have been treated. My thank you, again, to Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard. Well done!
2020-09-10

Release date: 2005-08-09 $12.99

Comments

1. We need this history in school! - English major here: Mann writes in an easy to read form highlighting and summarizing in an engaging way research that is digestible. I don’t even read historical books, but this is truly one of my most interesting reads of all time. Learned so much and needed this knowledge to know what the US, all the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe is all about - context to our modern day society. Explains a lot!!!
2022-08-18

2. Awesome - Best read I've had in a few years. Fascinating, contained at least ideas I'd never thought about before, which hardly ever happens anymore. One reviewer complained of 'excessive trivia' but this is not the case at all. Each historical example supports a larger point, and the result is cohesive and highly readable.
2014-10-09

Release date: 2011-07-12 Genre:History $13.99

Comments

1. Wonderful story about a grim event - I enjoyed the musical “Come from Away” before reading this book, and the additional wealth of stories and details here provide a fuller & richer experience. There is no silver living to / but the story of the world coming to the doorstep of this little Canadian town is the closest possible thing.
2021-01-02

2. The day the world came to town - One of the very best books I have read and I have been reading for over years. It made you laugh, made you cry, a book I could not put down. It also made me very proud that I was born in Newfoundland, and I am now a United States citizen living in this great country for years
2014-09-28

3. So Uplifting!! - I quickly felt as though I was one of the passengers, and then interchangeably, one of the townspeople. Having lived thru the / (in Texas) through the whole ordeal, I was only aware of what Americans were going through (here). Reading this book years later, I now realize how it affected SO many other nationalities, but in different ways. I also never heard about (or thought of) all those flights that were inbound from other countries when the U.S. cancelled all landings, but now I know. What amazes me most is just HOW GENEROUS people are, to complete strangers, with NO expectation of repayment, and on the other side of that coin, how giving the American guests were after-the-fact. This was truly a wonderful book, written in a great form, that included a huge cast of characters in one book, but gave enough background on each one to make you think you knew them. I can't give this enough stars, but wish I could.
2014-02-24

4. A New Perspective - My son was assigned this book to read for his Theology class. Over the past several years, I have realized the true enjoyment of reading his assignments for this class. This book, however, was more than exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed the new perspective on /. This enlightenment coupled with the dynamic characters, both Newfies and visitors alike, made this book an extraordinary read.
2013-08-30

Release date: 2019-10-22 Genre:History $2.99

Release date: 2021-01-26 $6.99

Release date: 2023-03-15 $9.99

Release date: 2013-01-22 Genre:History $14.99

Release date: 2013-05-21 Genre:History $12.99

Release date: 2020-09-09 Genre:History $9.99

Release date: 2011-04-15 $0.99

Release date: 2005-06-14 $23.99

Release date: 2014-01-30 Genre:History $10.99

Release date: 2004-11-25 $30.99

Release date: 2020-12-28 $9.99

Release date: 2021-07-20 $18.99

Comments

1. This Book, Uses A NEW/Fresh Format… Transforming It Into A Novel-esque Read - The book is outstanding as its fresh format is so enticing… turning a true/non-fiction into a fiction… novel - novellas. If this book was a College course, then Author: Sheron Wyant-Leonard is my favorite Professor on American & Indigenous History. I Will: How Four American Indians Put Their Lives on the Line and Changed History
2021-08-01

2. This non-fiction has a unique way of storytelling, how Ernest Hemingway wrote. - I was taken back deeply into the epic bygone times of the s and the s. This time the book finally shows the reader of the American Indians/Indigenous Peoples’ plight and protecting their Human Rights. I walked away from this book as if it was a full fledged, colorful film and I want to SEE the sequel. The author Sheron Wyant Leonard, has a striking way of taking a fact-driven story and entertained my mind as if Ernest Hemingway wrote it.
2021-07-27

Release date: 2021-08-25 $10.99

Release date: 2014-08-10 $4.99

Release date: 2022-09-20 $19.99

Release date: 2016-05-03 $6.99

Release date: 2001-10-15 $12.99

Comments

1. Powerful read! - Growing up on the reservation there was never a book that stood out to me during my time in high school. Years after graduating I came across this book and it answered all my questions and gave me inspiration to become more than just a man but to be a better Lakota. This book should be read every year and to every class to all the schools on the Reservations. And should also be read by all Lakotas and non-Lakotas alike. An inspiration and a source of strong heart to better ourselves and our future.
2012-04-11

2. Inspiring! - This book is filled with great wisdom that has nearly been lost. Each chapter fills the soul with courage, humility, generosity, love of nature, and much more. This is a great book and should be on the book shelf of every home, be referenced often and shared with friends and family whether you have any Native blood or none at all. The teachings are universal.
2012-01-06

Release date: 2022-09-06 Genre:History $13.99

Release date: 2007-08-24 $19.99

Release date: 2018-10-18 Genre:History $16.99

Release date: 2022-04-12 $14.99

Release date: 2022-04-26 $17.99

Release date: 2010-06-01 $16.99

Release date: 2021-12-21 $5.99

Release date: 2013-11-05 $15.99

Comments

1. Heart - This is a fascinating tale of Native life on the upper plains, Native views of their adversaries, post Civil War officers’ views of Natives and all the crazy things both sets of men did to either maintain the Heart of Everything That Is, or to settle the American West. These are the kind of stories, endemic to our identity, that we miss out on when we don’t teach “critical race theory” Please read this book.g
2021-08-26

2. Seems a little slanted - The author seems to justify the slaughter the Indians caused trying to keep their way of life but condemns the whites for trying to live the life they wanted. The Indians took the land from other Indians the way whites took from the Indians. He also failed to mention, in his attempt to make Red Cloud look like a genius, that the following officer to take over the fort handed Red Cloud the worst losing battle in history where Red Cloud sent over , Indians in dead and wounded in a failed attack on only soldiers.
2018-08-08

Release date: 2019-07-04 $2.99

Comments

1. Eye Opening - I really enjoyed reading this and love the fact that it is backed up by scripture. Recently, I’ve found myself doubting what was revealed to me back in . I went back and forth; confused and doubtful. Yet, when there is a lack of identity, and when the very ones whom have oppressed define who you are, there is going to be confusion. But praise TMH Yah, because the truth will always stand regardless of how anyone “feels” about it!
2021-05-30

Release date: 2013-10-27 Genre:History $2.99

Release date: 2018-01-16 Genre:History $12.99

Release date: 2005-09-07 $11.99

Release date: 2010-11-02 $14.99

Comments

1. Great tale! - I discovered this book by way of doing my family history using the ancestry app. John Kendrick was my th great grand uncle. I already knew we had sea captains in our family tree but they were named Kelly and Lovitt. I found out about the book on Wikipedia. It is a great adventure and all the more real since he was an ancestor.
2015-07-10

2. Morning of Fire - Fascinating story about the early history of the United States and how one sailor, master navigator John Kendrick managed to take his ships from Boston around Cape Horn, and in to the Pacific. Kendrick's story is not well known apparently because of the bad blood between Kendrick and his original first mate Robert Gray. This was the first time I had heard about this early adventurer and I was surprised to learn that Kendrick had far reaching influence on commerce and international relationships at a time of great turmoil in Europe that influenced events in the Northwest. Ridley does a fine job of telling the sea story in a manner that is entertaining while educational, even for a retired sailor and naval history buff like me. His style of narrating the challenges and adventures of the expedition managed to keep me interested despite some of the repetition about dealings with tribes in the Pacific Northwest, brewing conflict in Europe and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and the difficulties of working in China (Macau) even then. I was disappointed with this version though, because I did not appear to have any way to link end notes to the passages in the book. I did not realize there were notes in the pages because I did not have any endnote reference numbers. I was surprised to find a large section of notes at the end of the book that I was not able to easily refer back to in the text. Hopefully this will be addressed I a later version. Despite that issue, i enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who is interested in our early links to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific.
2011-01-15

Release date: 2018-02-20 $10.99

Release date: 2011-08-09 $9.99

Comments

1. Definitely Reading for High School Students - The best book ever written on the Columbian exchange. A significant book for High School and College students. A rewriting of all American History books should occur as well as discussion that has far-reaching implications concerning slavery ,formal state apologies and the concept of learning from the past in order to create a better future for all of humankind.
2011-12-13

2. A new view of the story of the Americas and their impact on the world - I have read this book and it's companion . I have an undergraduate degree in history. I read history and biography as my 'relaxing' reading even though my advanced degrees are in theology. I must say these two books have changed how I view the pre- and post-Columbian worlds. This is not the way I learned history in school more than years ago.
2011-09-18

Release date: 2014-03-04 Genre:History $14.99

Comments

1. Astoria - This is a solid, well researched and beautifully written history of white man’s discovery of the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been living in the Willamette Valley for over forty years and I had no idea. This seems a fair telling of the hardships, sacrifices and sheer guts it took to get to the West Coast. Many Native Americans helped this endeavor...probably now to their horror.
2018-11-07

2. Astoria - I worked for a medical staffing company in the Tri-Cities area of WA and lived within walking distance of the Columbia River for months this past year. Had I known about this book I'd have done more exploring than I did and would have certainly visited Astoria. Even so, the book greatly increased my appreciation of the area where I lived. Thank you for a wonderful book.
2015-12-04

3. Why did I never learn this? - Unless you are from the Pacific Northwest (my wife is from Portland), you, like me, have probably never heard much about this aspect of American history. This book gives a good lesson in how that area became essential to the expansionist policies of Jefferson and Astor. It also laid the goundwork for ongoing hostilities between British and American interests, that did not really get resolved until the administration of President Polk. The writing can be a bit ponderous at times, but the subject is endlessly fascinating. The hardships endured by those early settlers far exceeds anything we would go through today.
2015-01-07

Release date: 2011-03-01 Genre:History $14.99

Comments

1. Powerful Analysis but a slog to read - The analysis is keen. It is very upsetting to learn that political mismanagement, deception, and lies caused the deaths of , unknowing military. Too many paragraphs are stuffed with too many names, titles, and initials that slow and cloud comprehension. In the s the protesting kids in the streets had more sense and wisdom than the president and his Harvard whiz kids.
2017-03-08

Release date: 2009-04-07 Genre:History $10.99

Comments

1. How the states got their shape - I downloaded the sample and was disappointed to find that the maps aren't in color. One of the iPad's advantages is it's ability to display color. I had hoped How the states... would have color maps so I wouldn't be limited to showing friends Winnie the Pooh to demonstrate the iPad's iBook abilities.
2010-11-07

Release date: 2012-06-05 $11.99

Comments

1. The Fish that shape Latin America… - Having been born in one of those “banana republics” growing up under the umbrella of ‘Corporate America’, this story is remarkable of an era that shaped my own journey in life. I remember my family getting free bananas when a shipment went bad… Many family members worked for U.F. a.k. Chiquita Banana brand. As a kid, I visited those relatives, saw their “privileged homes, parks, schools, swimming pools & life styles. My father’s earlier job upon marrying my mother was as a foreman on one of them plantations… Life was good for many, horrible for the most! This book has brought many memories, illustrated many things I did not know of that life, growing up in banana country, the back yard farm of the might US of A…
2022-06-20

2. Great Book - The story that Mr. Cohen tells of Sam The Banana Man is of a complicated and consequential life. It is fascinating how much influence Sam Zemurray had on the geopolitics of the th century. The way that Mr.Cohen is able to tie the events of Sam's life to the broader context of the last century is incredibly compelling. I strongly recommend this book.
2012-06-27

Release date: 2014-09-16 $12.99

Comments

1. Essential Reading - To anyone who has any sense of justice. For anyone who has a heart, mind and soul that believes we can make a more just and peaceful world. For anyone who has just a smidgen of compassion left in them. For anyone who has a hope left in the survival of our planet and the human race. I recommend this book to all of humanity everywhere.
2014-12-28

Release date: 2017-01-17 Genre:History $13.99

Release date: 2020-02-25 Genre:History $14.99

Comments

1. Unknown Valor - An excellent read about the human and family side of war and its enormous costs. MacCallum does an outstanding job telling a story that is becoming increasingly rare as the number of our surviving WWII veterans decreases daily. These stories need to be told as they are part of our shared legacy as Americans. Well done! Donald E. Lyle, PhD
2020-12-16

Release date: 2012-05-01 Genre:History $10.99

Release date: 2004-10-07 $7.99

Release date: 2007-11-20 Genre:History $12.99

Release date: 2016-12-17 $9.99

Release date: 2009-10-13 $14.99

Comments

1. Heart wrenching perseverance - My grandmother is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce tribe. Our great grandfather was on this journey with Joseph and, from my recent conversations, have relation to Chief Looking Glass. This story is of epic endurance and courage, disappointment and dishonesty of the white man towards the Nez Perce, and an unrelenting resolve in these people to just live the way their Creator had set forth for them to live. It was a well written story and the author did a great job with listing his many sources, and acknowledged the many differing perspectives contributing to his recreation of events.
2019-10-31