what book should I read for for a U.S. History Report?

Question

I am a 16 year old female doing a book report for U.S. History, we have to read a book and relate it to u.s. history, I was thinking of reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut or 1984 by George Orwell. Since I only have a limited amount of time to read it I want to chose the best choice, any ideas??

Answer 1

If you can find it, I'd recommend Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis (http://www.amazon.com/Lincolns-Dreams-Connie-Willis/dp/0553270257/sr=1-1/qid=1166045978/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books), which is relatively short, easy to read and has lots of details about the Civil War.

Answer 2

I don't think either of those are particularly great for a US history report. 1984 is by a British author and is set in the future, and Breakfast of Champions might be said to give a picture of everyday life in the 1980s, but isn't particualrly historical.

If you are interested in Vonnegut, I'd recommend Slaughterhouse Five, which is based in part on Vonnegut's experiences around WWII. I also think it is his best book.

Other possibilities include one of Gore Vidal's novels about US history, such as Lincoln, Empire or The Golden Age. His US history novels make a series covering much of US history -- they are well-written, and are meant to make points about the development of the US, and will fit into your US history course well.

Another good choice would be Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow, which is a great book set in the turn of the 20th Century, and follows three separate groups of people/families experiencing different aspects of American life at the time. A great range of famous people of the day appear as characters.

Answer 3

I would not reccomend 1984 for a U.S. History report, I would reccomend something like The Last Full Measure, or Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara.

Answer 4

Try finding a book about Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, our 2nd President. She was a great lady -- ahead of her time in many ways. She and her husband truly loved each other, which was probably a rarity in that day & age when many marriages were arranged for financial reasons.
I would recommend, "Dearest Friend" (you can get the author's name on Amazon.com as I can't remember it now). If that book is too long for your short time period, see if you can find another book about her at your local library.
This lady ran her home, the farm and took care of her family (sick parents and children and all) while husband John was helping to form our country. He spent many years overseas as ambassador and therefore, they spent long periods of time apart from each other. Still their love and commitment to each other and our country continued on. Their story is a sober reminder of how hard our ancestors fought to create the country we have today.
Good luck with your report. (Even if you dont' read this book now, please consider reading it in the future. We always hear about the Founding Fathers, but I think Abigail Adams is surely a Founding Mother of our country!)

Answer 5

you need to study the e book Hondo by Louis L'amour. it truly isn't any longer a heritage e book even with the undeniable fact that it truly is a tale about a civil warfare scout who receives helps a relations that lives contained in the midst of the Apache's trial. it truly is an excellent e book

Answer 6

the electric kool aid acid tests

on the road

1984 is a great book but really deals with a fictional history...Breakfast is also a great book but it might be a little bit over your head in some of its references...

Answer 7

How about Twelve Years A Slave by Solomon Northup (slave)or Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin (journalist).