On the Road
Adventures from Nixon to Trump
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On the Road
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Narrated by:
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James Naughtie
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By:
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James Naughtie
About this listen
James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster, now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America, from Presidents Nixon through to Biden, he tells the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century, and who do Americans now think they are?
Drawing on his travels and encounters over forty years in the ‘Land of the Free’, On The Road is filled with anecdotes, memories, tears and laughter reflecting Naughtie’s characteristic warmth and enthusiasm in encountering the America of Washington, of Broadway, of the small town and the plains. As a student, Naughtie watched the fall of President Richard Nixon in 1974, and subsequently as a journalist followed the story of the country – its politicians, artists, wheeler-dealers and the people who make it what it is, in the New York melting pot or the western deserts. This is a story filled with encounters, for example with the people he has watched on every presidential campaign from the late 1970s to the victory of Joe Biden in 2020.
This edition is fully updated to include Naughtie's fascinating insights on the controversial presidential election battle in 2020 between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.©2020 Jim Naughtie. All rights reserved (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, UK. All Rights Reserved.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David
- 06-07-20
Warm, incisive and compelling journey of America
James Naughtie brings his charismatic style in a personal journey of American politics and their increasingly divisive effect on the American homeland and their political establishment. The effect of Trump and the stark contrast with previous political crisis is interesting. The greatness and political acumen of pre and post Obama and his own research into Lincoln fascinating. Compelling and brilliant narration by James...wish he would do more
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Michael and Jane Bochenski
- 08-10-20
Venus and Mars
So good to hear the familiar dulcet tones of James Naughtie reading his own memoirs. These cover some four decades+ of reflections on, and recollections of, the USA. The chapter on Venus and Mars - divided America - is the outstanding one for me. Disappointed not to have had more on the Obama years. Superb context for this year’s Presidential election dramas. Not quite Alistair Cooke but close. Michael.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-05-20
Excellent
I really enjoyed this tale of James Naughtie's relationship with America and it's Presidents over 6 decades. I particularly enjoyed hearing it read by James.
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- brian smith
- 10-11-20
Brilliant
One of my favourite political historical books ever with the narrator describing everything in such a subliminal way
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs. G. Moynihan
- 14-01-21
A simply wonderful book
I could listen to James Naughtie reading the weather forecast and be entertained. There is more than just a wonderful speaking style to this book though, so much more. It is packed with illuminating facts and sometimes hilarious anecdotes that leave the reader wanting for more. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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- Lesley McLeod
- 23-05-20
Elegant and enlightening
Naughtie’s atmospheric evocation of everyday America digs deep beneath the surface. It is elegant and elegiac, suffused with melancholy and a sense of loss of a USA now just out of reach. You get a feeling for the country and its people but also a sense the America visited in earlier years is a ghostly echo of the country it has become. I am left feeling less hopeful about the future of the USA but with a much greater understanding of how we have arrived at this point.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- P. Hannon
- 23-07-20
Superb storytelling .
Excellent insightful writing and superb presentation. must be Non Fiction Book of the Year. IMHO.
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- Jon & Syl
- 22-05-22
Loved it!
An excellent, interesting analysis. James Naughtie travels the US to speak to its citizens and also gives a well- considered analysis of the presidencies. I really enjoyed the book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- E P
- 09-04-20
James does not like the Donald
If you are an admirer of Donald Trump this is not a book for you. Mr Naughtie excoriates Trump so completely that at times I wanted to look away. The old lefty does not pull his punches, yet there is more to this book than a Liberal rant, there is poetry in his description of small town America. A train journey to New Orleans, a late night walk in George Town and, best of all, a Thanksgiving in New England immediately after 9/11. Those who loved (as I do) this pen portraits of American campaigns on the Today program will enjoy this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S. Place
- 03-11-20
Truely charming book
I really enjoyed listening to this, I didn't really know who James Naughtie is and picked this up on a bit of a whim but very much enjoyed the meandering path through politics and American culture over the past few decades. Well narrated with plenty of personality and history and a great read in the backdrop to the 2020 election.
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