Summaries of books about History & Biographies:
The Rise and Fall of American Growth
The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War
Robert J. Gordon
The book examines the unprecedented economic growth in the United States from 1870 to 1970, attributing it to a one-time burst of technological innovations. It argues that the slower growth since the 1970s is due to the plateauing of these innovations, with implications for future productivity and standards of living.
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Thirteen Days
A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Robert F. Kennedy
The book provides an insider's account of the American administration's handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, detailing the tense negotiations and decision-making processes that took place over the course of thirteen days in October 1962. It offers personal insights from Robert F. Kennedy, who was the Attorney General and a key advisor to his brother, President John F. Kennedy, during the standoff with the Soviet Union.
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Apollo
Catherine Bly Cox|Charles Murray
The book provides a detailed account of the American Apollo space program, focusing on the technical and human challenges faced by NASA during the 1960s and 1970s. It offers an in-depth look at the engineers, astronauts, and mission control staff who worked together to achieve the historic feat of landing humans on the Moon.
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Tied Up in Knotts
My Dad and Me
Karen Knotts|Betty Lynn
The book is a heartfelt memoir in which Karen Knotts reflects on her life with her father, the legendary comedian Don Knotts, sharing personal anecdotes and insights into their close relationship. It delves into the complexities of growing up with a famous parent, revealing both humorous and tender moments that defined their family dynamics and Don's impact on the entertainment industry.
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The Moth in the Iron Lung
A Biography of Polio
Forrest Maready
The book explores the history of polio, examining the factors that led to its outbreaks and the development of the iron lung, a device crucial for the survival of those with severe cases. It delves into the narratives surrounding the disease, the medical community's response, and the eventual creation of a vaccine.
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Ma, He Sold Me for a Few Cigarettes
A Memoir of Dublin in the 1950s
Martha Long
The memoir recounts the harrowing childhood of a young girl growing up in the slums of Dublin in the 1950s, enduring poverty, neglect, and abuse at the hands of her mother's partner. It vividly portrays her struggle for survival and the resilience she musters in the face of adversity and deprivation.
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Chernobyl
The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe
Serhii Plokhy
The book provides a comprehensive account of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, detailing the events leading up to the explosion, the aftermath, and the long-term consequences on health, politics, and the environment. It also examines the Soviet system and the flaws in the nuclear industry that contributed to the catastrophe, as well as the heroic efforts of individuals who mitigated the disaster's impact.
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Meet You in Hell
Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and the Bitter Partnership That Transformed America
Les Standiford
The book chronicles the tumultuous relationship between industrial magnates Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, detailing their partnership in the steel industry that led to the creation of a business empire. It explores their conflicting personalities, the Homestead Strike of 1892, and the eventual disintegration of their alliance, all set against the backdrop of America's Gilded Age.
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Death of the Territories
Expansion, Betrayal and the War that Changed Pro Wrestling Forever
Tim Hornbaker
The book chronicles the transformation of professional wrestling in the United States from a system of regional promotions, known as territories, to a national spectacle under the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It details the business maneuvers, rivalries, and shifts in power that led to the collapse of the territorial system and the rise of Vince McMahon's WWF as the dominant force in the industry.
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Judgment of Paris
California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine
George M. Taber
The book chronicles the events leading up to and following the 1976 blind wine tasting in Paris, where California wines unexpectedly triumphed over French wines, altering the global wine industry. It details the personalities involved, the skepticism of the French judges, and the impact of the results on the perception of wine quality worldwide.
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