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View Full Version : Can anyone recommend for me to read, to give me an overview of US history? (m)

Lynn in Caribbean
04-10-2008, 12:14 AM
I would like to read up on US history over the summer.

Can you recommend a good book that
-gives me an broad overview of US history up to (or near to) present times
-is NOT a textbook (I want to enjoy reading a good book, and not feel like I'm reading a textbook or encyclopedia)
-something of a reasonable length that I could finish over the summer.

My high schooler may use the book one day, but for now it is for me. I need to refresh my memory and get my own "pegs" in place for US history.

Thank you,
Lynn
(emerging from lurkdom to *finally* register on this new forum)


Edit: The title of this post should read "Can anyone recommend A BOOK for me to read..." I can't seem to change the title of the post.

Lynn
(slightly embarassed to mess up my very first post!)
kathleen
04-10-2008, 12:43 AM
Paul Johnson's A Histsory of the American People gives a wonderful overview and is quite readable. It's great for high school, too.
angela in ohio
04-10-2008, 07:08 AM
I have read most of A Patriot's History of the United States (http://www.patriotshistoryusa.com/), and I really like it. It is from a more conservative POV than many. It talks about the reasons for events, which I love. I will definitely have dc read it in high school.
Lynn in Caribbean
04-10-2008, 05:34 PM
nt
elizabeth
04-10-2008, 08:43 PM
As a balance to Patriots history may I suggest Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States? It is fascinating told from the perspective of the oppressed ,powerless and disenfranchised. I really enjoyed the point of view and the writing is terrific. Also I must say that Paul Johnson's book is superb in many respects.
Eliana
04-10-2008, 09:23 PM
As a balance to Patriots history may I suggest Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States? It is fascinating told from the perspective of the oppressed ,powerless and disenfranchised. I really enjoyed the point of view and the writing is terrific. Also I must say that Paul Johnson's book is superb in many respects.


I love Zinn's book! ...also Lies My Teacher Told Me (http://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Teacher-Told-Everything/dp/1595583262/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207876989&sr=1-1).
Ailaena
04-10-2008, 09:53 PM
:iagree: A third for Zinn's book and a second for Lies!Both of these books are very readable and offered a POV that really added to the standard textbook POV.