On This Date

Cannon has a story for every day of the year. Narrator Dan Woren gives the historical anecdotes the feel of a radio feature, like something listeners might have heard from broadcaster Paul Harvey. Some are about famous people like Martin Luther King, Jr. Others tell of less vital but still interesting events, such as the genesis of the emoticon. Other stories, including one on Abraham Lincoln's assassination and one on the events of 9/11, are told in multiple bites. The stories are occasionally broken up with an impression of a famous figure, such as Groucho Marx or John F. Kennedy, as their quotes are read. Whether listeners savor them over an entire year or devour them at once, they teach a little and entertain a lot. J.A.S. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

September 15, 2017

Reaching back to 1739 (Stone River Slave Rebellion, June 17) yet staying current with a reference to the Broadway musical Hamilton (July 4), this title offers fascinating tidbits from across the U.S. political and social spectrum. Cannon (Washington bureau chief, RealClearPolitics.com; The Pursuit of Happiness in Times of War) dedicates about a page to each day, with subjects ranging from singer Johnny Cash (born February 26, 1932) to the Columbine High School shootings (April 20, 1999) to Wyoming territory extending suffrage to woman (December 10, 1869). Index not included. VERDICT Browsers will enjoy a daily dose of American history, from the relatively trivial to the inspirational, along with occasional photographs.

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