The Americans: 11 True Stories of Challenge and Wonder

By: David Vachon, Paul Chrastina, Rick Bromer, Michael Fuller

Narrated by: Michael Holmes

Here are tales of adventurers, gifted and determined, who enriched our lives as they lived theirs with spirit and grit. Francis Scott Key, who turned glorious patriot as he saw Fort McHenry’s defenders bombed but not bowed. Amelia Earhart, who became a famous pilot before she could fly. Slaves William and Ellen Craft, who ran a thousand miles for freedom using audacity and ingenious disguise. Butch Cassidy and Sundance, Barnum, Twain, Dix. The first female doctor, a Civil War spy, the sharpshooting Quaker girl of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, and the man who banished pain. Meet them all - discover the TRUE stories about the people you only thought you knew.

You can find the print versions of these and many more stories from OldNewsPublishing.com. The Americans is also in Kindle form on Amazon.com.

©2012 Olds News Publishing (P)2012 Michael Holmes

Inspiring!

If you could sum up The Americans: 11 True Stories of Challenge and Wonder in three words, what would they be?

Courage and determination personified.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dorothea Dix could have frittered away her life and fortune on herself, but chose instead to use both resources to help the unlovely, unwanted people of society - the mentally ill. Her long life is a testament to selfless service - very inspiring!

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to choose one favorite scene out of the 11 lives this book describes, because each story contains an inspiring hero.

Any additional comments?

The narration flows nicely with the musical backgrounds - helps to enhance the stories.

History Lives Again!

Where does The Americans: 11 True Stories of Challenge and Wonder rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

These stories rank among the top of my list.

What other book might you compare The Americans: 11 True Stories of Challenge and Wonder to and why?

The Right Stuff. I am certain the true tales of these earlier Americans were the inspiration for heros like Chuck Yeager, John Glen, and Neil Armstrong. I'd like to hear their stories this way too.

What does Michael Holmes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Holmes' voice makes the story come alive without excessive hyperbole, drawing me into the adventure as if it I were hearing it for the first time. (in addition to the fact that, I can't read much anymore because my eyesight is failing: )

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was proud to be an American.

Any additional comments?

I would buy more material narrated by Michael Holmes. I wish I could find more of his stuff.

Full immersion history

What did you love best about The Americans: 11 True Stories of Challenge and Wonder?

The variety of stories told in a riveting fashion, will keep your attention from beginning to end. At the same time, because each story isn't extremely long, if your life involves lots of interruptions and changes in direction, you'll be able to savor each story one at a time.

What about Michael Holmes’s performance did you like?

The narration by Michael Holmes was perfectly suited to the stories.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are moments of laughter and moments of tears scattered through the book.

Any additional comments?

I only wish there were more!

Great inspirational stories

I enjoyed this book. Lots of stories that aren't fully known are now clear to me. I'd recommend this as a nice quick and easy read.

Informative and well produced

I'm a documentary film maker and discovered this book doing research on a possible future project. I found the stories engaging and well told. The production is top notch with music and sound effects used to help "paint" a visual picture of the stories as they unfold. I think the narrator is spot on, not too sing-songy or overly dramatic, and he speaks with a warmth and feeling for the subject in a clear strong tone.