A Time for Freedom: What Happened When in America

by Lynne Cheney

"I offer this time line as a way of encouraging study of the past and I also hope it will spark conversation about what is truly important for us to know.... America is our home -- and how lucky we are that it is."

Did you know that John Adams thought we would celebrate America's birthday on the second of July? That ten generals went on to become president? That our country has had nine different capitals, including Trenton, New Jersey, and Annapolis, Maryland?

Bestselling author and historian Lynne Cheney takes readers through America's story of freedom in this time line of key moments in our history. Starting with our nation's beginnings and carrying through to events that affect our lives today, Mrs. Cheney enriches our understanding of defining moments by presenting them with facts that add perspective and by linking them with the historic words of men and women who were there.

Placing the important happenings and great figures of our history into context and showing the expansion of freedom in this land that we love, A Time for Freedom is a book families will cherish and want to share together.

Genres: History, American History

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2005

About the author

Lynne Ann Vincent Cheney, is a novelist, conservative scholar, and former talk-show host who is the wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Reviews

[Joe Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good quick reference on American History. It provides a type of 'Cliff Notes' to what occurred, who was involved, and the year that it happened. Of course you will need to dive into whatever interest or time period you like or enjoy but this gives you a general overview of American History. I believe this book ends at at 9/11 and it would be great to see these type of books in period volumes because so much takes place that this book just skims over. Not a bad read for those wanting a brief synopsis to what happened during Americas past.

[Joe Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good "Reader's Digest" version of what the author thinks is important in American History. It would have been better had the author stopped before the Clinton Administration. She is too close to the subject and a real bias took over. She gave more negative space to the First Lady than most presidents and any other First Lady.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great overview of American political history. I’m glad I read it. Ms. Cheney has an engaging style. The time line of events worked for me as I understand things best in that context.
Parents, this is a great starting point to help you kids move quickly through American history. Read it with them, bring in other books and have some chats. Our country has had some fascinating times!

[Mumtaza Rizky Iswanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something you can read on the Internet

[Savana Sickorez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very interesting to me I would like to read other books that are kind of just like that book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great refresher on historical moments in American history. Easy to read.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, it has happened again! I am once again smarter than the history book I was reading. Okay, maybe not smarter, but more well-informed? A Time for Freedom was published in 2005, over 10 years ago, and a lot of history has happened since then. We've elected a black president, killed Bin Laden, opened relations with Cuba, invented the iPod... Need I go on? I don't feel cheated because I bought this at a garage sale for a dollar (and got a free book with it), but I do feel like I as a person living in present have certain advantages over this book.

A Time For Freedom has fairly basic American history facts, nothing groundbreaking, but there were a few interesting tidbits here and there. I liked the quotes and the additional interesting information to the facts more than the facts. Anybody who took American History and wasn't asleep or in a coma would know these facts. Also, knowing a little more than the basics on a few of these facts I wanted to argue in favor of what I know against the very simplified facts. The one good thing A Time for Freedom has going for it is organization. I do like it being cut into sections and organized by year. More specific dates for the later chapters would have been nice, but beggars can't be choosers. Also, not a big fan of the introduction. A little too patriotic for my tastes.

I'd recommend only as a very basic American history reference book. There's nothing super interesting in it that you won't find in more detailed works.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent timeline of American History. I really enjoyed reading through this and it has inspired me to want to learn more about American History. It is very brief, but it is interesting just the same.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a very informitive, striaght to the point book. I really liked it.
;)

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is literally just a timeline of America. It's not interesting at all, and I really doubt Lynne Cheney had a lot to do with it at all.