What people search:
 | Title : America, Why I Love Her
Author : John Wayne
Release Date : 20011127
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $14.98
Amazon.com Price : $9.77
(35
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Editorial Reviews :
This sentimentally over-the-top spoken-word recording was originally issued in 1973, during the height of Watergate and the final, unsettling days of the Vietnam War. In the wake of September 11, 2001, the John Wayne Estate reissued it on CD. And why not? Marion Morrison, a.k.a. John Wayne and the Duke, remains an enduring symbol of America--a country with an endlessly conflicted legacy of largely improvised symbolism, national myths, revised-on-a-dime history, and the freedom to make a buck on effusive patriotic rhetoric. Kitsch collectors may welcome the chance to own a true genre staple in digital sound, while others may yet find genuine solace in its orchestra-and-choir-backed oratory. With a poetic sensibility that seldom strays from the 'Carolina pines/Appalachian mines' level of its opening verses, Wayne's processed voice (which betrays the health problems that would be his demise) expounds on topics that range from his homeland's undeniable natural beauty to his son's high school football career and the wisdom of a fictionalized aging Mexican caballero. The would-be idealism in 'The Hyphen' aims to erase ethnic and racial boundaries, yet modern hyphenated Americans may find continued prejudice and the vagaries of history have rendered its rhetoric distinctly double-edged. Still, Wayne's love of country emanates from every track. Patriotism may be the last refuge of scoundrels, but it's been graciously hospitable to Hollywood icons, from the Duke to Dutch Reagan.
Buyer Reviews :
When my wife and I married, 20 years ago, her family had a large collection of record albums and she was given her choice. She selected those which were most memorable from her childhood - a lot of nursery rhyme sing-a-longs, several comedies (Bill Cosby) and 'America - Why I Love Her', by John Wayne.
I'd never heard it, and my first thought was, 'I didn't know the Duke could sing.' Of course, on this album, he doesn't 'sing', but he does a wonderful job of reading poetry in such a way that it comes across like conversation - like he's simply sharing his own thoughts about America.
Some of the selections brought tears to my eyes. Others a heart-felt 'Amen'! All were wonderful and extremely well done. As my own sons (now 17 & 19) grew, they both began to leave those old nursery rhyme records behind in favor of John Wayne. In a very real sense, the selections on 'America - Why I Love Her' helped to shape their patriotic souls. Today, they are fine young men, ready to answer their country's call, if need be. They may not be sure of what they want to do with their lives, but they are sure that they are Americans - and proud of it.
I do not own the CD, but I imagine that it's even better than our old record. Can't wait to get it and share it with all my family this Christmas! I recommend it to one and all!
(by Roy Payne)
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