Black makes history come to life!
356586
I read this book with my twin daughters (age 11). They loved the way the author wove the real historic characters into the fictitious
storyline.  Putting them into the action really gives kids an out of the box way to experience real life events with creative flair.  It helps them to realize that historic figures were real people too and may have made a mistake or two along the way! If your kids are bored with textbook history, but curious about our nation's developing years, Tesla's Time Travelers is a perfect fit.  You don't need to travel to Boston or Philadelphia to feel like you were right there during the formative events of our nation's history when you have this book in your hands. As a former American History student of Tim Black, I felt like I was right back in the classroom, getting a crash course review of history, laughing at his corny puns and savoring a chance to peek inside that brilliant brain that I was so fortunate to get to know a piece of. Thanks to Mr. Black for giving my kids a chance to forge a love for American history like he did for me.
3024251
Totally, completely, absolutely fascinating! As an author myself, I have to say Ms Penman makes history come alive like no one I've read in a long time. And, by the way, her books were among the few English titles available for sale at the Fontevraud Abbey gift shop when we were a couple months ago. You know she has to be one hell of a research/author to be featured at the burial site of Eleanor of Aquitaine, her husband Henry II of England, and son Richard Lionhearted!  Can't wait to read the other books in this series.
4387490
I consider myself a zealous reader and when I received my Kindle as a birthday gift from my mother-in-law last month, I was stoked. I purchased "The Help" and from the moment I read the first sentence, I could not put this book down! There were many sleepless nights for me! The way Kathryn Stockett has penned her words in this book, I am able to envision brilliant, almost photo-like pictures of each character as if they were right in front of me and I was interacting with me. I can picture Aibileen talking to Skeeter in her cozy living room while they were writing the book in the late evening, scared that they were going to be caught fraternizing.
For such a controversial time period-- the 1960s civil rights era-- "The Help" is a beautiful tapestry of stories skillfully entwined together to create this exquisite piece of literature that shows three friends and their African American maids during a tumultuous time in American history without regard. This is one book that I will read over and over again!!
3966659
Purchased at eight years ago, but could not get my  review in due to microsoft problems. Now after reading this three times I am giving back to the author. If more black autobiographies were written with this talent, people would not flee so from any history content.  Ms. Bundles weaves person history and context with a story of love.  She connects the historical dots as well as anyone I have read, but without the boring  little details. Since I read this book I paid my respects at Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx, N.Y. and discovered a little know black civil war medal of honor awardee right next to her....but unlisted in the then persons of intrest booklet available. After some discussions with management about this it seems the booklet  was then changed in a very odd way.  At that  time I was re locating to Florida.  A few years later on return the new booklet changed the military honors category..still without a black M.O.H. awardee but also without everyone.  This is a must read for all who are in this struggle.
1935409
This book is terrific.  The story of Charles Anderson is almost unknown, which is astonishing to me.  Charles Anderson is a southerner who once owned slaves.  His father associated with many of America's founding fathers.  His brother is the officer who surrendered Fort Sumter. He is arrested by the Confederates.  He and his wife escape through Mexico.  He joins the Union Army and is wounded leading his troops in battle.  And then this former southern slaveowner is elected lieutenant governor of Ohio, a position from which he gives the third address at Gettysburg.  Truth is indeed stranger than fiction!  Dave Dixon does a great job in bringing this story to a modern audience.

Dixon is a superlative historian and writer.  I've been fortunate to work with him for years as he's contributed a series of articles about Georgia history to Georgia Backroads magazine.  I relish reading every word he's written.  I think we're going to see much more of him in years to come.
3464517
For the egghead reader and history buff it's one of my all time favorites! Speller is a detail writer! And she takes you back to places that need to be never forgotten! This book kept me up like black coffee!
4557419
I loved this book!  It's fascinating to experience history from a first-hand account of someone who was "in the know."  I'll recommend this book to many!
1387767
I really enjoyed this book!  As a history lover, I found the glimpses of the past to be both accurate and fun!  I also enjoyed the fact that, given the various twists and turns in the story, the ending managed to be somewhat of a surprise.  Much like the trailer in the story, each new layer presented a new dimension.  I thoroughly recommend this book!
381720
This is an exceptional first book, a must read for lovers of historical fiction.  The author paints a vivid recreation of Hitler's Berlin in 1943.  His terse, direct dialogue moves the story along and is a pleasure to read. Not a word wasted! Some reviewers have objected to the number of sex scenes, and although it is true that Gilham imbues his women with a strong masculine sexuality, it seems appropriate for those desperate times, when no one knew if they would live to see another day. As we watch Sigrid's journey and the choices she made, towards an inevitable conclusion, it is impossible not to ask ourselves "What would we do?" I highly recommend this book.
1973810
Just in time for Black History Month comes the DVD of this landmark documentary on African American photographers. Not just modern ones, but going back to 1840! As a white American I never really gave thought to why I knew the names of many great photographers but the only black photographer I could name was  Gordon Parks, known mostly for his photography for Life Magazine - and later as director of the film "The Learning Tree".  Though Parks is - surprisingly - not mentioned in this film, a wealth of portraits by black photographers is covered in the 2013 film's 92 minutes.  You know how important this project is when you get to the final credits. Between the lengthy list of "Interns", "Donors" and "Archives", the credits run almost six minutes!

The film is Executive produced by Deborah Willis, upon whose book the film is based. Well-known black film director John Singleton ("Boys in the Hood", etc.) is another Executive Producer. The wonderful score was composed by Vernon Reid from the band Living Colour.

Director/Writer Thomas Allen Harris self-narrates the film and explains how he and his brother - also a photographer - got their first cameras from their father who told them to "go out and capture the world". He explains that it's a tradition in black families to have family portraits taken and compile "family albums". Using images from these albums, and contrasting them with racist images of blacks used in advertising until the mid 1950s, Harris shows us all what the typical black family looked like and how they lived.

There are useful bonuses on the DVD In addition to bios of not only the film's producing team, but the interviews and the photographers mentioned in the fil, there are 14 very short (most less than a minute) videos about the Digital Diaspora Video Reunion  (DDVR) project which goes to cities around the US and asks black families to bring their family albums and record their stories for future generations.

If you have an interest in photography or Black Studies or just want to see a fine documentary, I can highly recommend this DVD.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
1660936
An absolutely mesmerizing account of a chapter in American history. This should be required veiwing for all high school students, adults that know nothing about the Black experience, and adults that think they know everything about the Black experience. This video is not harmful to children or anyones ideology. It does challenge what people believe to be truth. If people can accept the truth from those that actually lived it, it will go a long way towards healing the wounds of the past. Being a upper middle aged white guy, I found the video simply reinforced what I believed to be correct. I recommend this video for the entire nation.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Emancipation-Revelation-Revolution/dp/B000VWYUFS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Emancipation Revelation/Revolution</a>
59634
After 6 hours and a bottle of Chianti I had read Dario's latest offering - a novel. Unlike his previous books, Dario turns his hand to fiction and his carefully constructed story is filled with historical references unknown to the average reader. The writing style totally transforms you into the reality of the story with vivid descriptions of time and place where I felt as though I had been invited to observe an intimate unfolding of Ultimo's life and the relationship between the two men. The narration is addictive and compelling with details of all characters (including the landscape) presented in a poignant and incandescent style. Bravo Dario !!
58957
Again the continuation of Black Days is wonderful! So well written, and amazing story line! Can't wait for book three, Jean Brown!
3585065
Once started, I could not put the book aside. I wish  all would read the plight of the slaves. I have the greatest respect  for black history. I wish history in the classroom would be taught by novels.
388450
This book kept me up at night wanting to know more!  This early history of Britain reads like an action movie with beheadings, treachery, betrayal, bloodletting, ( and as always, oppression of the common people).  If you tried to sell it as a movie script it would be too unbelievable!  I read the Talk/Mirimax edition with lots of illustrations and photos, and I must say, I enjoyed that.
4972888
You will wrap yourself in this book!  The central characters are women who bring out their own strength in a torrent, that has, until now, only been a quiet stream.  I was 10 years old during this time of Civil Rights upheaval and had a rude awakening on a trip from the sterile northern U.S., to the deep south.  As a little white girl who had never seen a black person up close, I didn't understand the signs reading "Whites Only" and this book brought it all back for me.  I hope lots of young readers pick up this book for a view of life from a black woman's standpoint at this time in history.  Very believable story and it has a fine ending.  You will not be disappointed!
146622
I "really" enjoyed this! I'm am SSSSSSOOOOOO proud, as an African-American, to know that there was a woman, involved in post-American Revolutionary civil rights politics, and in concerning slavery! Much pride. Again, LOVED this mini-series.