History and lighthearted for all to enjoy.
921618
Love this 'way to publish'.  I'm in the book.  I think more people should read and submit.  Thanks to the 'person In charge for having the forethought to taking over this project and realizing 'us authors' no matter if age 90 are creating lots of interesting stuff.  Thanks too Amazon for making the issues available.
Great thoughts and interesting history that the older generations lived and loved through.
3275371
Just a wonderful history lesson intermixed with several human interest stories.  You will love it.
2539656
THE BOOK IS NICE AND ENTERTAINING FOR UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD HISTORY.A GOOD CASUAL READ......CREATES INTEREST TO READ MORE BOOKS .
4269619
A  flowing history of an epic summer.  The events are interestingly tied together and made real  A  light and enjoyable read
4306477
This is a great way to enjoy Downton every day of the year. I really enjoy the historical facts and anecdotes as well.
2908185
Sarah Vowell has done it again: taken us on an amusing tour of our history laced with real facts, humorous or contrary anecdotes, and current-day observations.  It is as though you attended history class at your local bar.  I learned, was amused, and occasionally blushed.  This book gave me a fuller understanding of the dedication of Lafayette and a deeper respect for France's role in or victory for independence.  And, I could not put it down once I started reading.
2237796
Jean Pierre depicts the history, going way back, of the conflict in the Middle East; and then, how the West got involved.  Personalities are all  equally characterized in cartoon-poking fun at all leaders and policies.  The historical aspect is condensed with major cultures jockeying for power in the Mediterranean and Middle East.  This basic history is fun and easy read.
14503
I bought this book for a few friends and family members (all over the age of 45).  They really enjoyed it.  A nice piece of history.
4372116
Another brilliant parody of history depicted by Christopher Buckley. This expos, the story of Stuvyesant and the English attainment of New York, within the context of the Dutch-English wars casts our eyes back in a refreshingly new way.
Samuel Pepys, his position and his diaries are the hook to begin with. His brother-in-law gives us the subtext. Baltasar Balty St. Michel is an annoying nincompoop whom Pepys manages to have dispatched to the new world to track down the judges who'd sentenced Charles 1. Charles II is still determined to see them pay.
To cut a funny story short Balty, fumbling in the best traditions of '1066 and all that', or a Mel Brooksian movie at the very least, manages to shape history, along with the taciturn spy Huncks, whom one can't help but feel sorry for, being saddled with this Rowan Atikinson type figure. The commentary on the practices by the 'godly' is illuminating bringing to the fore the stringent effects of religious laws on communities. The treatment of both the Indians and other religious groups like the Quakers by these puritanical pilgrims shows the disconnect between faith and grace. There really is much than can be unpacked in Buckley's work. The casual introduction of famed figures is wonderful, with hilarious added touches that only a fictionalized account can allow. Hence Stuyvesant's Brazilian parrot, who makes a nicely framed presence on the book cover, offers us a question right from the get go, did we but know it.
Slickly written, a comic, yet true look at history through jaded and not so jaded eyes. Hidden away is at least one nod to the current political contretemps when Stuyvesant muses that they need a bigger wall to keep the English out and perhaps he can persuade Charles II to build it.
Read the who's who at the end to see well known descendants of the various figures portrayed. Quite an eye opener.
I loved every minute of this witty foray into the early times of the 17th century New World.

A NetGalley ARC
3440405
I love the bit of history with the mystery. It is free of bad language and just plain fun to watch!
2156431
Enjoyed the history and well written characters.
692005
This book flows easily and is curiously informative. Anyone who appreciates history should value the abstracts of the eclectic host of characters.
136786
I like the sharing of history in a way it did with little politics. I also love the different love stories that gives it a genuine feel.
885362
Great fun,as well as edifying.for anyone interested in scientific historical explanation. Fun archaeological explanations are rare someone here has a nice sense of humor.
4269182
If you would like to learn some delightful and interesting U. S. History, read this book.  You will be entertained as well as informed.
1662671
"Out Of Order" is Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's light hearted stroll through Supreme Court history.  Drawing from personal experience and historical records she introduces the reader to heroes and oafs and cases and anecdotes that make history the fascinating subject that it is.

The chapters are topically arranged.  Some focus on legal concepts, reported in terms for lay readers to understand, others on individual justices.  First are the intersections between presidents and the court.  Here we read of the bitter personal conflicts such as between Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall and Abraham Lincoln and Roger Taney.  Others involved policy/legal disputes such as FDR and the New Deal, Truman and labor disputes, Nixon and the tapes and Bush and detainees.

In another chapter O'Connor details the appointments made by various presidents and of prominent justices while tours the various homes of the Supreme Court.  She then follows the history of the court from its early, lackluster days when justices rode the circuit through the changes in the jurisdiction, the eloquent orators who have argued before it, traditions, court humor, legal giants and the firsts, of which she was one.

Justice O'Connor has written in plain language so familiarity with legal terms is not prerequisite to enjoyment of this book.  This short book is light reading that can be enjoyed quickly or at leisure.  The Declaration and Constitution in the appendices are available for any who are unfamiliar with them.  It teaches history amidst an enjoyable read.
3134463
Well written, easy reading. History with which we should all be acquainted. The author lives in my senior highrise--an extra special treat.