My wife wants to read a "good" American history book. She wants one that is thorough and unbiased (if there is such a thing). She's not looking for a textbook per se but something that tells the story of America from before the founding of the country until pretty close to current day.

We've searched Amazon, etc. but haven't found exactly what she's looking for yet. So, turning to the Sig Forum brain trust for recommendations based on your own experience reading the book you recommend.

So, what say you?

Try the local library maybe?

If really interested in American History, I recommend finding old school books covering American History and Government. I collect old books and read them to understand what the thinking was when the books were published, what students were indoctrinated with, and the history discussed.

A 1944 American History book for High School students. Fascinating read, especially prior to 1750. Talks about 3 incidents where communal/socialism farming failed, not just the one Rush Limbaugh talks about on occasion in relation to the meaning of thanksgiving.

I have a 1908 8th graders American Government book. This book would be considered 12th grade or even University level American government book. The 2nd amendment gets a full 2 pages alone - and it's not the few paragraphs anti-2nd propaganda allotted today.

The 1891 elementary school American history book is a favorite, just because it still refers to American Indians, err excuse me, Native Americans as Savages. I laughed hard when I first read this reference.

It might have been in the 1944 book, I am no longer certain where I read the following quote from President Roosevelt (it was after his Presidency). "The U.S. Constitution was not created to allow private enterprise to do to citizens what the government is not allowed to do." Remember there was a strong progressive movement in the 1890's to about early 1920's.

Some of it was truly bolshevik, but other aspects were not, such as the anti-trust legislations, the USDA creation - after 'The Jungle' was published and even FDA after in-depth investigations of the shit being passed off to consumers as food and drink.

BTW, TR was pro-Union, because he felt it was the only way a worker could negotiate with an employer on an even footing - that there is strength in numbers argument; also in the book.

Anyway, I digress. But I seriously recommend older books. One book - maybe but I usually like different sources when studying history, which often is biased to some degree, even it not intentional.

A Patriots History of the United States by Schweikhart & Allen.

Loaded with interesting facts from Pre-Revolution to early 2000's

Despite the title - it is very fact based with supporting references.

A Patriots History of the United States - Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen

My copy was published mid 2000's, looks like there is a 15 anniversary edition published in 2014.

quote:

Revised and updated, this 15th anniversary edition of the #1 New York Times bestseller salutes America’s true and proud history.

Fifteen years ago, Professors Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen set out to correct the doctrinaire biases that had distorted the way America’s past is taught – and they succeeded. A Patriot’s History of the United States is the definitive objective history of our country, presented honestly and fairly.

Schweikart and Allen don’t ignore America’s mistakes through the years. Instead, they put them back in the proper perspective, celebrating the strengths of the men and women who cleared the wilderness, abolished slavery, and rid the world of fascism and communism.

Now in this revised fifteenth-anniversary edition, a new generation of readers will learn the truth about America’s discovery, founding, and advancement, from Columbus’s voyage to Trump’s promise to "Make America Great Again."

https://www.christianbook.com/...1595231154/pd/231150

https://www.amazon.com/Patriot..._product_top?ie=UTF8

quote:

Remember there was a strong progressive movement in the 1890's to about early 1920's.

You can get a European/American view on this (1890-1914) in The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuschman.

It includes a good read on the Dreyfus Affair.

This is the book you want:

McClay: Land of Hope

It was written very recently specifically to counter the Howard Zinn style "America is evil" books (very surprised Zinn was recommended above).
McClay's book has been highly regarded by folks from Hillsdale College and other strong conservatives.

quote:

My copy was published mid 2000's, looks like there is a 15 anniversary edition published in 2014.

Thanks the tip - time to upgrade mine !

I'd go with an older book - less chance it has been revised and adulterated by the recent college crowd of liberal authors updating text books every year to sell more books to students

McCullough is an excellent and skilled writer - I enjoy his work

I actually just started reading 'A Patriots History'

This is a good one, as is Vol II

America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I): From the Age of Discovery to a World at War - William J Bennet

https://www.amazon.com/America...-World/dp/B00FDYTGYO

Try ABEKA books out of Pensacola Fla. Pensacola Christian College. My daughter was home schooled 10 yrs ago and they had a real good American History curriculum back then It was very accurate and no PC crap.

As a good overview you might consider the following set:

A Basic History of the United States by, Clarence B Carson.

It is a six volume set with each volume running between 160 to 290 pages. They are easy to find used. They will provide a good framework upon which to study the magnificent history of this land.


A good history of the unbelievable courage, faith and just dogged determination of the colonists:
Mayflower by, Nathaniel Philbrick

Silent

One of my favorite books growing up and probably why I'm a beast at Jeopardy.

It was a gift from my dad. As a teen, in high school, and even college, I used to stay up late at night flipping through the pages of this huge book about America.

Here it is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chronic...Daniel/dp/0131337459

I can't believe it's only $12!

It's pretty much all unbiased news articles covering almost every event in American history in chronological order.

Some of the best books are older books.

History of the American People
John Latane

https://www.amazon.com/HISTORY...LATANE/dp/B0011YP40K

I have a copy and it's an excellent, concise history.

Paul Johnson, a British historian, also wrote a book entitled ‘A History of the American People’. I recommend it.

Shelby Foote, Dee Brown, David McCullough, Bruce Catton, Stephen E. Ambrose, Nathaniel Philbrick, Cornelius Ryan.

If you're looking on a great book on the founding principles and why the founders made the decicions they did, I highly recommend The 5000 Year Leap.

OP -- have you picked one?

Not yet

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
This is the book you want:

McClay: Land of Hope

It was written very recently specifically to counter the Howard Zinn style "America is evil" books (very surprised Zinn was recommended above).
McClay's book has been highly regarded by folks from Hillsdale College and other strong conservatives.

^ ^ ^ ^
This is indeed the book that you're looking for.