America Out Loud: The Most Inspirational, Irreverent, Intelligent, Ignorant, Influential, and Important Things Americans Have Ever Said―and the Stories Behind Them

by Alan Axelrod

"Give me liberty or give me death." "Houston, we have a problem." "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." American ears ring with these and hundreds of other declarations, spun out of history. Walt Whitman claimed to "hear America singing," but, mostly, we hear America talking. Out loud. This book features more than 300 quotations from influential Americans, including Benjamin Franklin, Muhammad Ali, George W. Bush, Paris Hilton, and many more! This book chronologically records the historical timeline of America—one voice at a time.

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Alan Axelrod, Ph.D., is a prolific author of history, business and management books. As of October 2018, he had written more than 150 books, as noted in an online introduction by Lynn Ware Peek before an interview with Axelrod on the National Public Radio station KPCW. Axelrod resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Brentin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes for a good coffee table book or, in my case, something to read while sitting on the "throne". The quotes and accompanying explanatory paragraphs can be read one or two at a time. Axelrod does a good job of explaining the historical context surrounding the quote, and often, the original verbage that has been distorted over time.
My main criticism is that the last three decades go by way too fast. Only 3 pages dedicated to the 90's? Perhaps soon, with a few years to really have more recent quotes ingrained in our collective conscience, Axelrod can release a sequel that gives more attention to the latter decades.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great collection of famous American quotes, with accompanying text explaining the context, story and explanation behind each one.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greta collection of statements made and the stories behind them.