America: Empire of Liberty

Nov 8, 2024 2:00 AM

Author:David Reynolds,David Reynolds

David Reynolds’ major BBC Radio 4 series explores the origins of contemporary USA from its beginnings to the present day

This epic narrative tells America’s story through the voices of those who lived it - presidents and farmers, mothers and children, settlers and soldiers, slaves and Indians. The series celebrates the country’s achievements but also examines its paradoxes by investigating three abiding themes of American life: empire, liberty and faith.

Empire of Liberty: From the arrival of Native Americans from Asia, to the slave trade and the forced relocation of the Indians, the first series describes how the US expanded to cover a whole continent, laying the foundations of a superpower - if the country could remain united.

Power & Progress: The second series depicts the tragedy and heroism of the Civil War (1861-65), which finally ended slavery - though not racial discrimination - and the dynamism of the reunited nation as it grew into an industrial giant. America’s role in the Second World War is also examined.

Empire & Evil: The final series chronicles America’s long struggle with the Soviet Union, and examines the effect of that confrontation on American values, particularly in Vietnam and Watergate. The country’s struggle to overcome its racist past led from the Civil Rights Movement to its first black president. Also examined is the impact of Elvis on popular music, the battle over abortion and the story of the personal computer and the information revolution.

Reviews

"Reynolds' presentation combines enthusiasm with authority, and his insightful and far-ranging text is augmented by a wealth of archive voices, from speeches to people in the street"

—— The Oldie

"Reynolds' vigorous presentation of his sweep of American history, and the interwoven voices and news reports of the time, make for striking immediacy"

—— The Observer

One of the best…brisk, conceptually convincing account of democracy’s retreat in the early years of 21st century

—— Luke Harding , Guardian

Snyder’s central thesis is a strong one… Vividly and insightfully told.

—— Edward Lucas , The Times

A rollercoaster world calls for a news editor’s skills in processing facts and a philosopher’s ability to dissect ideologies. He has both.

—— The Economist

The Road to Unfreedom is a sprawling epic that veers from Dark Ages Kiev to modern day Washington and back again.

—— Oliver Bullough , Prospect

Snyder’s informative timeline of events on the ground in Ukraine is vivid, and offers a much greater understanding of how this conflict emerged than we got in most English-language news coverage

—— Katrina Gulliver , Spectator

Timothy Snyder… offers unexpected insights into the seemingly familiar events of the past decade

—— Anne Applebaum , BBC History Magazine, **Books of the Year**

Timothy Snyder is one of the world’s top historians… [The Road to Unfreedom is a] bracing analysis

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

If there’s one book to help explain the bloody mess we find ourselves in…this is it… [Snyder] is a refreshing voice… [and] every chapter is rich with apercu… Every sentence smacks of careful thought, engaged concern, and urgency

—— David Everatt , Conversation

Well researched and recounted with excellent humour, Forsyth's alcohol-ridden tale is sure to reduce anyone to a stupor of amazement.

—— William Hartson , Daily Express

This charming book proved so engrossing that while reading it I accidentally drank two bottles of wine without realising.

—— Rob Temple, author of Very British Problems

Everything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff

—— Matthew Parris on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

Mark Forsyth wears his considerable knowledge lightly. He also writes beautifully

—— David Marsh, on 'The Elements of Eloquence' , Guardian

This year's must-have stocking filler ... the essential addition to the library in the smallest room is Mark Forsyth's The Etymologicon

—— Ian Sansom , Guardian

Mark imparts knowledge about Christmas traditions from the essential to the (very) abstruse in wry and sardonic style. An effortless and enjoyable way to learn more about this fulcrum of our calendar

—— Paul Smiddy, Former Head of pan-European retail research, HSBC, on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

With his casual elegance and melodious voice, Mark Forsyth has an anachronistic charm totally at odds with the 21st century

—— Sunday Times South Africa on'The Horologicon'

[The Etymologicon is] a perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended

—— The Spectator

A treat for the connoisseur who enjoys a robust anecdote from the past with his drink

—— Sumit Chakrabarti , The Telegraph, India

As good as promised - could have been thrice as long

—— Ben Schott, on 'The Elements of Eloquence'

Witty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant

—— Raymond Briggs on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

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