# Best History of the USA **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 6, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021 "2009-09-06T01:31:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/1 "2009-09-06T01:31:27Z")
What’s the best history book covering the history of the USA? I have: _A Patriot’s History of the United States_ by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen \*The Oxford History of the American People \* by Samuel Eliot Morison _The American Pageant Seventh Edition_ by Thomas A. Bailey and David M. Kennedy _Encyclopedia of American History_ by Richard B.Morris _Almanac of American History_ by James Miller and John Thompson ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/2 "2009-09-06T06:21:42Z")
_A People’s History of the United States_, Howard Zinn. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/3 "2009-09-06T07:06:59Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > _A People’s History of the United States_, Howard Zinn. You’re kidding, right? Whatever merit it might have, it is a very skewed view of things. One worth reading—possibly—only after one has a good foundation. And I’d counter that with the less biased _A History of The American People_, by Paul Johnson. Though narrow in scope, I can also highly recommend _First Salute_, by Barbara Tuchman. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/4 "2009-09-06T07:07:10Z")
At least _A People’s History of the United State_s would give you a good counterpoint to _A Patriot’s History of the United States_. It’s useful to see other aspects, other points of view. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/5 "2009-09-06T07:09:31Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > At least _A People’s History of the United State_s would give you a good counterpoint to _A Patriot’s History of the United States_. > > It’s useful to see other aspects, other points of view. That was kind of my point (though I am not familiar with “_A Patriots._..”. I think it’s al fine and well to check out alternate views, but only after the foundation is laid. Another book that I thought was quite good chronicled the relations with the Native Americans: _Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee_, by Dee Brown. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/6 "2009-09-06T07:33:13Z")
_A Patriot’s History of the United States_ is a partisan work written in response to _A People’s History of the United States_. He may as well see both sides. ---
**Author:** ![JozefKafka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@JozefKafka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JozefKafka)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/7 "2009-09-06T13:13:58Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > _A Patriot’s History of the United States_ is a partisan work written in response to _A People’s History of the United States_. He may as well see both sides. Personally I’d skip both of them. Paul Johnson’s history is interesting, though I noticed a great many factual errors. Johnson’s _Modern Times_, however, is an absolute must-read. Although very worthwhile is Daniel Boorstin’s _The Americans_ trilogy. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/8 "2009-09-06T14:48:10Z")
Oh, god. The problem here is I really can’t think of a good _overall_ history. They leave out far too much. How about starting with Redcoats and Rebels… and the not-a-companion, Rebels and Redcoats? Six Frigates is also really enlightening. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/9 "2009-09-06T18:43:09Z")
Oooh. And a really good one for the entire period of the Revolution to the War of 1812: Jay Winik’s The Great Upheaval. Really puts everything in place. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/10 "2009-09-06T18:59:33Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You’re kidding, right? Whatever merit it might have, it is a very skewed view of things. One worth reading—possibly—only after one has a good foundation. Considering, for example, that the history books I’d read in high school never even mentioned the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 (instead only touching on Rutherford Hayes banning alcohol in the White House), or the reaction of the Virginia elite to Bacon’s Rebellion which laid the foundations for racial segregation in the US, I’d argue that Zinn’s book is a vital contribution to any foundational knowledge of US history. Zinn doesn’t pretend to be impartial or non-partisan because history isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/11 "2009-09-06T20:55:02Z")
It is by no means comprehensive, but one I thoroughly enjoyed is _A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America_ by Ronald Takaki. It’s a good general overview of the immigrant experience in the U.S. – from the Irish to the Afghan. My favorite thing about this book is that he tells the story in the words of those who lived it. A great portion of the book is composed of quotations, songs and poetry from people reacting to the times in which they lived. I felt it gave a very intimate view of things, and it also gave me a tremendous sense of pride and gratitude for the country in which I live. It definitely addresses the hardships faced by immigrants but it praises the hard work and sense of unity that ultimately built this country. It left me feeling good and strong and hopeful about the future. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/12 "2009-09-06T21:18:04Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Considering, for example, that the history books I’d read in high school never even mentioned the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 (instead only touching on Rutherford Hayes banning alcohol in the White House), or the reaction of the Virginia elite to Bacon’s Rebellion which laid the foundations for racial segregation in the US, I’d argue that Zinn’s book is a vital contribution to any foundational knowledge of US history. Zinn doesn’t pretend to be impartial or non-partisan because history isn’t. Actually my 8th Grade US History textbook does mention the Railroad Strike of 1877 and a other labour incidents such as the Haymarket Incident. I think that aspect of history is different from when you went to school. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/13 "2009-09-06T23:17:13Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Considering, for example, that the history books I’d read in high school never even mentioned the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 (instead only touching on Rutherford Hayes banning alcohol in the White House), or the reaction of the Virginia elite to Bacon’s Rebellion which laid the foundations for racial segregation in the US, I’d argue that Zinn’s book is a vital contribution to any foundational knowledge of US history. Zinn doesn’t pretend to be impartial or non-partisan because history isn’t. It’s so biased as to almost be useless—a **s an initial review of U.S. history**. Reading it is fine, but only after one has a good broad foundation, IMO anyway. Fact is that a high school history book is going to give you just a top level exposure to lots of grand themes and major occurrences and NOT be able to flesh out all sides leading up to every issue. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/14 "2009-09-06T23:33:40Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > _A People’s History of the United States_, Howard Zinn. Horrible, horrible suggestion for a horrible, horrible book. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/15 "2009-09-06T23:34:43Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Considering, for example, that the history books I’d read in high school never even mentioned the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 (instead only touching on Rutherford Hayes banning alcohol in the White House), or the reaction of the Virginia elite to Bacon’s Rebellion which laid the foundations for racial segregation in the US, I’d argue that Zinn’s book is a vital contribution to any foundational knowledge of US history. Zinn doesn’t pretend to be impartial or non-partisan because history isn’t. It can be. Zinn doesn’t even attempt it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/16 "2009-09-07T00:14:33Z")
Uh, how about _America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction_? Or, _Our Dumb Century_? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/17 "2009-09-07T01:04:17Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Uh, how about _America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction_? > > Or, _Our Dumb Century_? 😉 The above is more on American government then history. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/18 "2009-09-07T01:13:30Z")
Yeah, but it’s AWESOME American government! (And the second is American history.) ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/19 "2009-09-07T07:11:52Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > Actually my 8th Grade US History textbook does mention the Railroad Strike of 1877 and a other labour incidents such as the Haymarket Incident. I think that aspect of history is different from when you went to school. Were you in high school after 1988, then? > [@RikWriter](#): > > It can be. Zinn doesn’t even attempt it. And good on him for it, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021/20 "2009-09-07T07:16:24Z")
Afterthought: **magellan** , bias is only a problem if it either ignores relevant material or comes to factually unsupported conclusions. Which does Zinn do, and where? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-of-the-usa/509021.md?page=2)