Thursday, February 20, 2014

In Which Alistair Cooke Looks at America During WWII

Alistair Cooke, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, gesturing with left hand, during interview, March 18, 1974.jpg
Alistair Cooke
(1908-2004)
For all you Kindle-toting history buffs, Amazon's deal of the day is Alistair Cooke's The American Home Front 1941-1942. It is an account of his trip across America to report for British readers what was happening in this country after the attack on Pearl Harbor as the nation was going to war.

You may know Mr. Cooke, the famous British journalist and broadcaster, from PBS Masterpiece Theater which he hosted from 1971 through 1992.

Apparently, this manuscript was packed away and not looked at again until it turned up shortly before Mr. Cooke died in 2004.  It was discovered in his New York apartment and eventually published in 2006. 

Better late than never, I'd say.

For his trip, he set out from Washington D.C., traveled through the South, on out to California (where he witnessed with disgust the Japanese internment camps), and back through Denver, Kansas City and through the northern war-industrial towns.

Knowing Mr. Cooke, it is a clearly written record of that time in American history. And with the slight edge of a British perspective as a bonus. For $1.99, I think it will be a wonderful addition to my Kindle library.

8 comments:

  1. Again, we're on the same page! I bought this at breakfast this morning. Reading my e-mail, the Kindle daily deals, my favorite book blogs (yours is one of them), and doing the crossword are the things I do while drinking my tea. The best ways to start the day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Joan. Perhaps we are sisters separated at birth! We do seem to connect in our reading choices. I have sometimes wondered if the Amazon Daily Deals that show up in my inbox are targeted based on my browsing and buying picks online. I guess that it not the case. Of course, since we seem to like the same types of books, perhaps Amazon does send us the same deals. Ha!

      I do thank you for being a loyal follower of BB&C and am honored to know I am part of your morning. I hope we both enjoy Mr. Cooke's book. I am sure it will be fascinating. I do love a first-person travel adventure. This one reminds me a bit of Steinbeck's 'Travels With Charley'.

      Delete
  2. One more reason for me to get a Kindle, Belle. Saving my pennies for that day to come - and hope this read will be available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penny, I fought the Kindle for a long time, but now I find it adds much joy to my reading life. There are some hard and paper back copies of this book floating about. Perhaps as you save your pennies...

      Delete
  3. I too love the Kindle, but mostly I download the free classics from Amazon and Project Gutenberg.

    I am happy that someone besides me has read the Alistair Cooke account of the early days of WWII in the U.S. I read it in a used hard cover edition and here is my post: http://silverseason.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/the-american-home-front-1941-1942/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A wonderful look at Mr. Cooke's book, Nancy. Thanks for providing the link. I look forward to traveling across America with him.

      Delete
  4. I love Alastair Cooke and had no idea he hosted Masterpiece Theater until 1992. We used to get some of his books in the '70s from a book club: perhaps he wrote one called America! Ahem, I have a Nook instead of a Kindle, but we do have deals, too, only they're mostly for romance novels. The only one I've bought is Richard Ford's latest book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Kat, "America" is one of his. I used to have a copy but don't see it on my shelves now. This is why it is dangerous to give away books!

      I have a Nook as well, Kat, and even though I signed up for the daily deal, for some reason B&N doesn't send me a notice of what is on sale. I check every now and then. Sometimes my library ebooks won't work with my Kindle so I am glad I have both!

      Delete