The leading narrative history that students love to read; in a more concise format. With more than two million copies sold; America remains the leading narrative history survey text because it’s a book that students enjoy reading. The Tenth Edition is both more relevant; offering increased attention to the culture of everyday life; and more accessible; featuring a reduced number of chapters and a streamlined narrative throughout. The Brief Edition is 20 percent shorter in total pages than its parent Full Edition.
#462002 in Books 2013-05-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.60 x 1.10 x 5.80l; 1.11 #File Name: 0393089584336 pages
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A great anthology of original narratives and sourcesBy John CooperThis is a collection of 17th and 18th century travel narratives that Patrick O'Brian found interesting and used when creating his own fiction. The only words original to O'Brian are in the forward and the introductions to the various pieces. It says so on the back of the book; on the inside flaps; and in the description just below the title on this page.If your curiosity is not instantly piqued to learn of a book called "Memories and Anecdotes of Philip Thicknesse; late Lieut.-Governor of Landguard Fort; and unfortunately father to George Touchet Baron Audley"; if you find boring the story of a Capuchin monk who explored the Congo in 1667 and slept with a tame monkey whose musky scent kept the rats away; and if you're not interested in reading first-hand accounts of the kinds of real-life sea adventures as O'Brian put in his fiction; this book is not for you. On the other hand; if you have always regretted that as a native of the New World; you have little access to the old libraries and records that a citizen of the Old can visit almost at whim; you'll be as eager to buy this as I was; and you won't be disappointed.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Not your grandfather's travel talesBy Charles from Redondo BeachThis is a fascinating book of travel stories. I enjoyed it a great deal. I will admit that I had some difficulty following the language; 17th Century English is not my native tongue. The stories range from the amusing to horrors of shipwrecks and survival at sea. Obviously; this book is not for everyone.I should warn the readers or potential readers this book has a section on surviving shipwrecks. It was what I call extreme survivalism. It includes some rather graphic passages about cannibalism that may be upsetting to some. This section is clearly marked so you can avoid it simply by turning a bunch of pages.I feel the section is appropriate in the historical context. Sometimes; we humans get very messy.I think this book is best for someone like me who loves history. I wouldn't give it as a gift unless I really knew the person.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A book of voyagesBy Michael GreenWest Coast BritishIt's a great little book; BUT... it was written many ages ago and in Sailors "English" so it's slow reading... Great history of the seas when Britain ruled the waves!
