Rating: Summary: The Armenian Genocide Review: No book reviewing the 20th century should be allowed to print without mentioning the Armenian Genocide during World War One. It was the first genocide of the 20th century. Over one million Armenians were murdered in Turkey. I guess Peter Jennings is very friendly with the Turkish government. I guess the truth is again suppressed. So what's new?
Rating: Summary: Slick and Sloppy Review: All of my attempts to remain open-minded about a television anchorman's literary attempt were blown out of the water about halfway through THE CENTURY. I found a serious error on p.225, in the sentence which reads, "...More than 177,000 camped out in the London Undergroun stations each night. They CUED up early, toting mattresses and rugs...." Obviously, "CUED" is a word, although the appropriate word, contextually, is "QUEUED". But perhaps those poor Londoners were preparing for a play, scripts in hand -- or lining up for a wartime game of billiards? In general, The Century seems to have been published with quality in mind. However, this error is a stark example of the kind of shoddy editorial work which is becoming increasingly common in modern printed material of all kinds. This issue reaches beyond one seemingly unimportant homonym switch. Americans are reading less and less (and particularly my generation, the twenty-somethings). THIS book, though, is rising on the best-seller lists, and is being read even by people who rarely, or never, read for pleasure. The fact that these people will read sentences with such errors in them and BELIEVE THEM TO BE CORRECT, should be reason enough for the publisher (RANDOM HOUSE, INC., by they way) to make sure their publications are NOT JUST spell-checked by a computer, but edited by a human being with a careful and detailed eye. Jennings may not understand the concept of quality, being, as he is, a television icon -- however, he should still be embarassed that such a stark error shows itself in a volume with his name on it.
Rating: Summary: A great overview of the 20th century. Review: Unlike many who read this book,I didn't expectfor this to be a complete and detailed history. When you look at it as a historical overview of the growth of people in the 20th century. and their sometimes downful,it can be very wonderful reading. Some of the personal stories felt and sounded like stories I heard from my Grandfather and Father and later stories I told my children. Bravo for this wonderful readbradley2@
Rating: Summary: Look for what's INSIDE, not for what's left out ! Review: The Century has been accused by some of being "pop" history and leaving out key events - the Titanic, etc. What is important to realize is that history is an ART and the historian is an artist. What Jennings has done is create a visually appealing version (that does not claim to be comprehensive) of the events of the 20th century. For sheer readability for the layman, this book is worth 5 stars.
Rating: Summary: Wow, fantastic, great, wonderful. Review: I thought that I had read everything about this century, in one way or another. Boy, was I wrong. Mr Jennings and all does a masterful job of showing(pictures), and telling you about what has transpired during the last 100 years. A supurb read. A wonderful book. A great effort; worth the price just to sit on display on any coffee table. This is the way all great books should be written.
Rating: Summary: why was this part left out? Review: I was really surprised to discover that Peter Jennings did NOT say anything about the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet University in 1988. He reported on this event on ABC News but did not include this at all! For Deaf people, this was their Civil Rights movement.The Deaf President Now movement occurred because they wanted a Deaf person to become President of the only liberal arts college for deaf students in the USA. African American colleges have had African American presidents and women colleges have had women presidents. It was about time that Gallaudet University got a Deaf President. It also meant that deaf people wanted equal access to communication and for a week, they got the world's attention. There is a book called "The Week the World Heard Gallaudet" by Gannon. I would like to know why this information about civil rights movement from the deaf perspective was omitted.
Rating: Summary: A sofa table must have Review: This is a truly credible review of the 20th century. I find the book fascinating with reallife excerpts from real people who experienced the times. I appreciate the mostly unbiased overview. I do feel that Peter Jennings published this book prematurely, missing 1999, obviously, to be the first one out with this subject, regardless, I still feel this is a much needed book in any household, lest we not forget our past. Still, I must ask, when are "they" going to put into print the truth, without propaganda? Please, don't misunderstand me, an absolutely fabulous book! Well done Peter!
Rating: Summary: A century is defined in the book as 1901 through Dec. 1999 Review: A definition of what a Century is given in the beginnig of this book and it says 1901 through December 1999. It seems odd that the book can already be for sale. We are only in February 1999. What about the rest of this year? I have not read the entire book, nor have I purchased the book so maybe I missed this answer. Just curious. Thanks
Rating: Summary: A good summary of an outline of 20th Century History. Review: An excellent summary of some of the major events of the 20th Century. Omits far too much detail to be thought of as a serious work of history. Often skips the "why" of important events. The text suffers from an inability to separate conclusions from the context of the times (a little too judgemental). In a disapproving tone, Mr Jennings points out that German victims of allied bombing never received compensation. Why would the world compensate people who worked so hard to support the Nazi regime that produced Auschwitz and Buchenwald? Dresden deserved no better.
Rating: Summary: research material was fabulous. Review: This book was obviously developed after extensive research. It was beautifully written, and is especially interesting to the middle-age generation.
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