Post: #1

What's a good "catch-all" book for the history of the United States? Preferably not something hyper-left like A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.


Also if you're feeling generous, can you drop some cool books on the Founding Fathers?

Thanks guys.

Post: #2

The "Oxford History of the U.S." Is pretty good. I don't know all the titles off the top only head, but it includes "the glorious cause" "Empire of liberty" "what god hath wrought" "battle cry of freedom". Lots of Pulitzer winners or nominees. Each book covers a time period.

Post: #3

I bought "Patriot's History" a while back but haven't read it. I think it's right-leaning...not sure though.

Post: #4

(02-04-2014 03:25 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  I bought "Patriot's History" a while back but haven't read it. I think it's right-leaning...not sure though.

It's pretty far to the right. It got taken to task during an academic review: "How seriously should anyone take a textbook that devotes seven pages each to the Spanish-American War and the Clinton impeachment while covering the Iran-Contra scandal in six sentences?... Does a history survey — patriotic or otherwise — require a two-page essay on the question "Did Columbus Kill Most of the Indians?" Although this reviewer has never heard that question asked by any historians aside from the authors of this book, the answer is evidently 'no.'"

Most damning line I ever read in a book review? "Written for an audience of the previously converted, this book is hardly worth anyone else's time."

I've read Zinn cover to cover, and I wouldn't really call it hyper-left. If anything it's just really pessimistic about the American concepts of equality and freedom. It does, however, do a good job of including historical events that don't get covered much elsewhere.

Post: #5

Paul Johnson's A History of the American People is pretty good.

He's definitely an ideologue, but he writes so well it's OK as long as you read other stuff, as well.

Post: #6

delete

Post: #7

(02-04-2014 11:41 PM)Osiris Wrote:  

(02-04-2014 03:25 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  I bought "Patriot's History" a while back but haven't read it. I think it's right-leaning...not sure though.

It's pretty far to the right. It got taken to task during an academic review: "How seriously should anyone take a textbook that devotes seven pages each to the Spanish-American War and the Clinton impeachment while covering the Iran-Contra scandal in six sentences?... Does a history survey — patriotic or otherwise — require a two-page essay on the question "Did Columbus Kill Most of the Indians?" Although this reviewer has never heard that question asked by any historians aside from the authors of this book, the answer is evidently 'no.'"

Most damning line I ever read in a book review? "Written for an audience of the previously converted, this book is hardly worth anyone else's time."

I've read Zinn cover to cover, and I wouldn't really call it hyper-left. If anything it's just really pessimistic about the American concepts of equality and freedom. It does, however, do a good job of including historical events that don't get covered much elsewhere.

Anything that uses partisan language, such as "Gingrichian pronouncement," is not an academic review.