I need to read a book for my history class and write a paper. What book(s) would you suggest? Anything from Pre-contact times to the present is the timeframe (US history). That's about the only guideline. I can't choose! My bookworm brain has fried over all the possible choices. Anything history related is a plus. Thanks for any help!
2007-03-14 16:45:05 · 6 answers · asked by Lost_Lady 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Choose a biography. It's narrow in scope, offers a lot of opportunity for analysis both historical and on the person's personality. Pursuit of Reason a biography of Thomas Jefferson, Stephen Ambrose's Eisenhower, Robert Caro's LBJ bio is brilliant, and there's only one real biography of Langston Hughes that's wonderful for Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights history. If you want a general history then try Ambrose's Lewis & Clark or Custer and Sitting Bull. Just find a period that interests you.
Just whatever you do, do not read anything by Harold Zinn or David Boorstein. Boorstein is a crappy writer, and Harold Zinn is a Stalinist that hates America. That hatred comes across in his "Bizarro world" interpretation of American history where the US is always the bad guy.
2007-03-14 17:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by txbookguy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with txbookguy on Howard Zinn. He does not hate America or want to make America the "bad guy." However what he does want to do is show a part of American history that is not often spoken about. It has been said that "history is written by the victors." I believe this to be true, and what Zinn points out is that there is another side to every story.
"Stalinist? I didn't know there were any left.
Read Zinn. Good luck.
2007-03-14 18:51:06 · answer #2 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you need a non-fiction selection for a History class, may i suggest "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize", phenomenal study of the Civil Rights movement from mid 1940's through 1970's. I own it but can not locate it at present. Check PBS sites, and of course Library of Congress for call number. Made into a documentary , but read the book, not too long. Relevant and Extraordinary and objective. Awesome.
2007-03-14 19:21:59 · answer #3 · answered by lolita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Howard Zinn- A peoples history
It is the history of the united states from the view of the people. It is a really thick book unfortunately. It is so good though I would suggest asking your teacher if you can read a few chapters and do a report on that.
2007-03-14 16:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by ice_purple969 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out 'Don't Know Much About History:
everything you need to know about American History but never learned' by Kenneth C. Davis. It's about 400 pages and covers everything from Columbus's voyage to the Clinton administration. Very interesting and entertaining. My first time through this book was actually for pleasure reading! I have used it over and over as a reference.
2007-03-14 19:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jonathan Spence has written various books approximately countless matters related to the historic previous of imperial China that could pastime you. seem up his books in a library catalog or e book shop internet site and spot if any of them hobbies you. i'm incredibly useful that maximum or all of them handle the era after 1400.
2016-10-02 03:47:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋