What is the best comprehensive book(s) on American History?

Question

What book(s) would you recommend on the topic of american history?

Answer 1

There is no best book on the topic of American history. All are biased in one direction or the other. You can get a general text for guidance, but I would suggest that you go into historical monographs (hard and paper bound) and start reading from the beginning and read everything you can get your hands on. I read all sides of subjects I am studying so tht I know the various attitudes of the authors and can compare them in order that I can come up with my opinions as to the real course of American History.

That is my way of studying everything. The text book will give you some generalities, but as you read through the monographs, most written by university professors, etc., you will find little points here and there that might interest you and send you on a tangent. Don't be afraid of tangents, that is where the really good stuff is. For instance, John Adams was not a very well liked President. The press beat him to death and he took it so bad that he had passed the Alien and Sedition Acts which literally made it against the law to criticize the President (sound familiar). However when a case in Vermont came up where the man had called him a fat assed old man, the judge threw the case out because he could not fine or send a man to prisons for telling the truth.

Answer 2

Best Book About American History

Answer 3

A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn. It's a history of the U.S. told from a different point of view.

Answer 4

A Patriot's History of the United States: from Columbus's great discovery to the war on terror. by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen I;ve read both this and Howard Zinn's book its good to get both sides ( i liked the former book a little better)

Answer 5

Howard Zinn, A People's History, hands down.

Answer 6

well personally, i LOVE the "a history of us" series. seriously, its a must-read. once i picked it up i couldn't put it down!

if you want a book that goes a little more in-depth about american history, then you should try "a peoples history of the united states" by howard zinn.

Answer 7

Becky has given you good suggestion. i've got used those books and that they are marvelous. yet another good source is the Norton's anthology series - they conceal a great, huge decision of matters.