A Life in the Twentieth Century

Innocent Beginnings, 1917-1950

By: Arthur Schlesinger

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Length: 27 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, is one of the finest historians of our age. A former special assistant to President Kennedy, he received the National Humanities Medal in 1998. In this first volume of memoirs, Schlesinger turns a keen eye on his own remarkable life - from his Midwestern upbringing, through his days at Harvard, to his involvement with World War II.

The engrossing story of his life reads like a timeline of the 20th century. With anecdotes featuring the major politicians, intellectuals, and entertainers of the era, it is easy to see why Dr. Henry Kissinger called this work "one of the definitive histories of the period." Schlesinger’s shrewd observations and sharp wit have long helped Americans understand who they are and where they’ve come from. Now his own story comes to life with a lucid, often humorous narration by Nelson Runger.

©2000 Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. (P)2002 Recorded Books

Perfect Combination

Sclessinger read and interpreted by Nelson Runger provides a very enjoyable experience well worth a couple of listens.
This memoir, more of an intimate history of the times, focuses on the people more than mere events in telling in a vivid fashion what is was like to grow up and live in the first fifty years of the momentous twentieth century. Schlessinger draws from his personal experiences to describe the interwar years in the Ivy League, then a very comprehensive yet readable account of the New Deal, or, rather the New Dealers. Throw in the liberalalization of U.S. politics, including the nascent Communists and finish with a most unusual look at Harry Truman, and you have a very intoxicating look at the first half of the century.

Interesting autobiography

Interesting character, lucky enough to be an American after WWII at the height of its power and wealth, and the rest of the world in ruins. He describes what he did then, or influence the government of this country to run the world for the best interests, for democracy and justice. He clearly has no idea about 2 or 3 centuries from now, how he will be judged or perceived. This is if we have not blown out our planet in the meantime with this kind of behavior that he describes here, but he unfortunately was never able to quite understand. I am glad he had time to write this book.