The Intellectual Devotional: American History: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roa...
Modeled after those bedside books of prayer and contemplation that millions turn to for daily spiritual guidance and growth, the national bestsell...
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Sep 04, 2010
Kayce
rated it: 
A fun (and random) selection for me, I checked this book out at the library to learn some trivia about American history. Many of the topics were familiar to me, but there were fun facts and interesting tidbits compiled in this book. This is designed like a daily devotional, with 365 entries so you have one to read every day of the year. The book even comes with that glossy ribbon place holder (a.k.a. bookmark) that you’ll also find in Bibles.
The Intellectual Devotionals are available More...
The Intellectual Devotionals are available More...
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Nov 06, 2010
Liza
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What a fabulous book. I have never loved history more. I did not spend the 365 days recommended to read this book - one entry per day. I plowed through it. I was constantly fascinated by what topics and issues the authors chose to highlight in American history (but I'm very glad I've finished with the many, many entries on the Civil War).
Let me send out a heart-felt apology to the people who work and live along side me who had to hear, day after day, "Did you know...?" More...
Let me send out a heart-felt apology to the people who work and live along side me who had to hear, day after day, "Did you know...?" More...
Jun 20, 2008
David
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Who needs history class, this audio book is US History Tour De Force. It covers it all, from the discovery of the new world to the TV show "The Simpson's."
Mexican - American War: Abraham Lincoln and John Quincy Adams were the only 2 people to vote against the war. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses Grant fought in this war. The US originally offered Mexico $30 million for just Texas (I think or maybe it was California), but Mexico said "no." So the war happen, and US en More...
Mexican - American War: Abraham Lincoln and John Quincy Adams were the only 2 people to vote against the war. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses Grant fought in this war. The US originally offered Mexico $30 million for just Texas (I think or maybe it was California), but Mexico said "no." So the war happen, and US en More...
Dec 15, 2007
Travis
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365 one-page entries on important American figures, events, and works of art. On the plus side, it covers a wide variety of subject matter. On the negative side, it covers a wide variety of subject matter--no one but the most omnivorously curious will be interested in everything covered (I skipped a few pages). And the entries covering things I already had an interest in failed to teach me anything new. Also, the editorial bent was strictly "conventional wisdom," which was kind of
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Nov 20, 2008
TJ
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Did you know that John Adams, our 2nd president, was the defense attorney for the commander of the British troops after the Boston Massacre? I didn't either ... until now!!! Whew. A daily one-pager on US history so you can stomp your friends in whatever-the-hell-color-US-history-is-in-Trivial-Pursuit ...
Dec 03, 2008
Love this idea! 365 Bite Size, daily "refreshers" about things we all used to know about American History -- topics are: MONDAY: politics & leadership, TUESDAY: war & peace, WEDNESDAY: rights & reform, THURSDAY: business, FRIDAY: building America, SATURDAY: literature, SUNDAY: arts.
Jun 02, 2009
AuthorsOnTourLive!
rated it:
Along with David S. Kidder, Noah Oppenheim is the acclaimed author of The Intellectual Devotional series of books. Oppenheim and Kidder's new edition The Intellectual Devotional: American History: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Converse Confidently about Our Nation's Past, is a collection of 365 American history lessons that will inspire and invigorate the reader every day of the year.
We met Noah Oppenheim when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You ca More...
We met Noah Oppenheim when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You ca More...
Aug 30, 2009
Joe
rated it:
Excellent; second in series; daily articles on seven subjects: Politics & Leadership, War & Peace, Rights & Reform, Business, Building America, Literature, Arts
Jan 01, 2012
This should be fun. It has 365 entries from seven fields of knowledge (historywise). I can read one each day starting today, the first of the year!
Dec 27, 2008
Joe
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I really liked it. I wasn't able to really read one page each day. I would usually catch up and read a lot of entries in one sitting on the bus.
As for the book itself, I really enjoyed it. You can really learn a lot. I like how they split up American history into seven different categories (politics, war & peace, literature, business, etc) to give a broad overview of what has shaped America. The author was very objective and tried to keep to the facts.
If you're looki More...
As for the book itself, I really enjoyed it. You can really learn a lot. I like how they split up American history into seven different categories (politics, war & peace, literature, business, etc) to give a broad overview of what has shaped America. The author was very objective and tried to keep to the facts.
If you're looki More...
Sep 12, 2011
Abigail
rated it:
Not a book that you sit and read, but if you're up for some fun facs about american history... This is a really fun fact finder!
Jan 29, 2012
I read this book to prepare for the Rhode Island teaching exams since the questions on American history can be very random. It works great if you need to refresh your memory.
Its also a great tool in the classroom. Students have an easy reference since it contains better facts then the textbooks. I have also had students make thier own version of the book on other topics, such as geography, political theories, etc. I will copy sections and have students read them until they understan More...
Its also a great tool in the classroom. Students have an easy reference since it contains better facts then the textbooks. I have also had students make thier own version of the book on other topics, such as geography, political theories, etc. I will copy sections and have students read them until they understan More...
Jun 10, 2011
Very much enjoyed the first volume in this series. Just started the 2nd volume today.
Jan 04, 2012
It's the new bathroom devotional for 2012. I love this series. So far so good.
Jan 29, 2012
Mary
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I read one entry a day - just like a traditional devotional. The writing is informed, snappy and fascinating. Significant foot notes are often part of an entry. This daily effort is upgrading my conversational banter substantially. It was so much fun in the midst of angst-ridden conversation about the market instability and "today's economy" to insert a recently learned fact: wall street trading actually occurred outside the building until 1836. an enjoyable way to add to your kn
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Mar 08, 2008
Christina
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Great book! I didn't use it as a devotional, I just read it all the through. It was very easy to read, I actually had trouble putting it down. Many of the topics covered were familiar, but it was a good review and I was able to research areas I wanted to know more about - great for filling in "gaps" in your education (or memory). I would recommend this to anyone who is not confident in their knowledge of history - not for history buffs because the topics are pretty basic.
Sep 10, 2011
Wendall Paul
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Another compendium of daily readings of historical moments to Americana. If one is a devotee of history - and especially American history, as am I - this is a can't miss. Short little stories provide interesting facts about an array of different subjects that made this country great. Love learning things like this. I will have to purchase my own copy and read it through again.
May 20, 2011
This book was interesting when reading one page per day. In my case it was actually read by my husband and I each evening after supper. The subjects covered were Politics & Leadership, War & Peace, Rights & Reform, Business, Building America, Literature and Arts.
I did not find myself as interested in this volume as the first one, but it was worth pursuing.
I did not find myself as interested in this volume as the first one, but it was worth pursuing.
Jan 29, 2012
Greg
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In my opinion, the greatest strength of this book is that it can wet your appetite for knowledge. If you find a topic that you find interesting it can be used as a spring board into more research about the person, place or event. It covers so many topics that I would find it hard to believe that there wouldn't be a number of things that would interest every reader.
Aug 22, 2009
Jason
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A gift from Melissa, this was a great book! Very enjoyable. It did take me a while to read it. It does not lend itself to long sittings of reading as each story is only one page long. However, this may also be the best part about the book. No matter how much time I had to read I could always finish at least one story. Great topics!
Feb 17, 2010
Missmath144
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365 snippets of history (the history of art, building, politics, etc. - a different category for each day of the week). I listened to the CDs while falling asleep, which was great because each one can be taken alone, so I don't have to worry if I miss one or two at the end of a CD as I drift off to dreamland.
Jan 09, 2008
Eric
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Basically the book is a daily reading on one aspect of American history. There are 7 topics that are discussed, including business, politics, and wars/battles, et al. It is a great way to learn more about American history and brush up on all those things you once learned about in high school and college.
Jan 07, 2009
This one is bathroom reading so it'll stay here for a long while until I get done with this book.
Aug 28, 2008
Megan
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Pretty good idea - an entry for every day about American History. Some of it is pretty basic stuff that you would know from any history class, but there are plenty of interesting bits.
I've put this book on hold for a while, considering I read it for about two weeks and then forgot about it
I've put this book on hold for a while, considering I read it for about two weeks and then forgot about it
Dec 13, 2010
Lesley
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I really liked this book because each day provided a good one day history item. The only thing that I think would have made it better would have been to be in chronological order. At some points things were list chronologically, but at other times it was completely random.
Dec 01, 2008
Shannon
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Each page summarizes one event or concept in American History, (not necessarily arranged chronologically), so this isn't a book you can read cover to cover if you expect to retain much. I read a page or two per day over my morning coffee and learned a bit, though.
May 14, 2008
Rose
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This helped me study for my AP US History test and I got at least 12 questions right because I read about the obscure colonial poets and 3rd parties. I read it like a normal book, as opposed to one page a day. It is just amazing; I nerded out.
