20 Best Books For Us History (2023 Update)

Written by a combat veteran of the wars in iraq and afghanistan and a former professor of us history at west point, his alma mater, this book grew out of the lectures sjursen produced for the survey course he taught to cadets. although he covers all of the major events, movements and figures in american history, sjursen flips the lens, offering fresh insights and uncommon empathy. written in vivid, engaging prose, a true history is accurate with respect to the facts and intellectually honest in its presentation and analysis. a true history will change how you view america's past, and present. with chapter titles such as original sin and just how good was 'the good war'?, sjursen challenges readers to think deeply and critically and to apply common sense to their understanding of the history of our republic.

"a wonderful, splendid book–a book that should be ready by every american, student or otherwise, who wants to understand his country, its true history, and its hope for the future." –howard fastwith a new introduction by anthony arnove, this edition of the classic national bestseller chronicles american history from the bottom up, throwing out the official narrative taught in schools—with its emphasis on great men in high places—to focus on the street, the home and the workplace.known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, a people's history of the united states is the only volume to tell america's story from the point of view of—and in the words of—america's women, factory workers, african-americans, native americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers. as historian howard zinn shows, many of our country's greatest battles—the fights for a fair wage, an eight-hour workday, child-labor laws, health and safety standards, universal suffrage, women's rights, racial equality—were carried out at the grassroots level, against bloody resistance.covering christopher columbus's arrival through president clinton's first term, a people's history of the united states features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history.

A multicultural, multinational history of colonial america from the pulitzer prize-winning author of the internal enemy and american revolutionsin the first volume in the penguin history of the united states, edited by eric foner, alan taylor challenges the traditional story of colonial history by examining the many cultures that helped make america, from the native inhabitants from milennia past, through the decades of western colonization and conquest, and across the entire continent, all the way to the pacific coast.transcending the usual anglocentric version of our colonial past, he recovers the importance of native american tribes, african slaves, and the rival empires of france, spain, the netherlands, and even russia in the colonization of north america. moving beyond the atlantic seaboard to examine the entire continent, american colonies reveals a pivotal period in the global interaction of peoples, cultures, plants, animals, and microbes. in a vivid narrative, taylor draws upon cutting-edge scholarship to create a timely picture of the colonial world characterized by an interplay of freedom and slavery, opportunity and loss." formidable . . . provokes us to contemplate the ways in which residents of north america have dealt with diversity." -the new york times book review

Setting the record straight is a unique view of the religious and moral heritage of black americans, with an emphasis on the untold yet significant stories from our rich political history. the material presented is ground-breaking and revolutionary, leaving viewers amazed and inspired.

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout.new york times bestsellera summer reading pick for president barack obama, bill gates, and mark zuckerberg from a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” one hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited earth. yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. what happened to the others? and what may happen to us? most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but dr. yuval noah harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. from examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.dr. harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of jared diamond, james gleick, matt ridley, robert wright, and sharon moalem.

"the creation of the united states of america is the greatest of all human adventures," begins paul johnson's remarkable new american history. "no other national story holds such tremendous lessons, for the american people themselves and for the rest of mankind." johnson's history is a reinterpretation of american history from the first settlements to the clinton administration. it covers every aspect of u.s. history–politics; business and economics; art, literature and science; society and customs; complex traditions and religious beliefs. the story is told in terms of the men and women who shaped and led the nation and the ordinary people who collectively created its unique character. wherever possible, letters, diaries, and recorded conversations are used to ensure a sense of actuality. "the book has new and often trenchant things to say about every aspect and period of america's past," says johnson, "and i do not seek, as some historians do, to conceal my opinions." johnson's history presents john winthrop, roger williams, anne hutchinson, cotton mather, franklin, tom paine, washington, adams, jefferson, hamilton, and madison from a fresh perspective. it emphasizes the role of religion in american history and how early america was linked to england's history and culture and includes incisive portraits of andrew jackson, chief justice marshall, clay, lincoln, and jefferson davis. johnson shows how grover cleveland and teddy roosevelt ushered in the age of big business and industry and how woodrow wilson revolutionized the government's role. he offers new views of harding, coolidge, and hoover and of franklin roosevelt's new deal and his role as commander in chief during world war ii. an examination of the unforeseen greatness of harry truman and reassessments of eisenhower, kennedy, johnson, nixon, reagan, and bush follow. "compulsively readable," said foreign affairs of johnson's unique narrative skills and sharp profiles of people. this is an in-depth portrait of a great people, from their fragile origins through their struggles for independence and nationhood, their heroic efforts and sacrifices to deal with the `organic sin' of slavery and the preservation of the union to its explosive economic growth and emergence as a world power and its sole superpower. johnson discusses such contemporary topics as the politics of racism, education, vietnam, the power of the press, political correctness, the growth of litigation, and the rising influence of women. he sees americans as a problem-solving people and the story of america as "essentially one of difficulties being overcome by intelligence and skill, by faith and strength of purpose, by courage and persistence… looking back on its past, and forward to its future, the auguries are that it will not disappoint humanity." this challenging narrative and interpretation of american history by the author of many distinguished historical works is sometimes controversial and always provocative. johnson's views of individuals, events, themes, and issues are original, critical, and admiring, for he is, above all, a strong believer in the history and the destiny of the american people.

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling new york times bestseller that launched the entire don't know much about series when don't know much about history first appeared thirteen years ago, it created a sensation. with humor, wit, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought americans a fresh new take on history. shattering myths and vividly bringing the past to life, it spent thirty-five consecutive weeks on the new york times bestseller list. davis proved that americans don't hate history — they just hate the dull textbook version they were force-fed in school. the book became an instant classic, an "anti -textbook" that has sold more than 1.3 million copies. in his irreverent and popular question-and- answer style, davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the moment — covering such topics as the end of the cold war, clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to september 11. incorporating new research and discoveries, davis also updates and expands on such long-standing american controversies as the jefferson-hemings affair, the alger hiss trial, and the rosenberg spy case. and he includes an expanded "civics lesson" that examines some of america's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty, gun control, and school prayer. for history buffs and history-phobes alike, longtime fans who need a refresher course, and for a new generation of americans who are still in the dark about america's past, davis proves once more why people magazine said, "reading him is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had."

Prepare for your history exams or learn more about key events in american history with barcharts' updated and expanded american history 1 quickstudy� guide. detailing the discovery and settlement of the new world up through the civil war and reconstruction, this guide features timelines grouped by historical theme to give you a concise outline of major events in american history through multiple perspectives.

Named one of the ten best books of the year by the chicago tribune – a publishers weekly best book of 2019 | a 2019 npr staff pick – a pathbreaking history of the united states’ overseas possessions and the true meaning of its empire but what about the actual territories—the islands, atolls, and archipelagos—this country has governed and inhabited? in crackling, fast-paced prose, he reveals forgotten episodes that cast american history in a new light. in puerto rico, immerwahr shows how u.s. doctors conducted grisly experiments they would never have conducted on the mainland and charts the emergence of independence fighters who would shoot up the u.s. congress. – in the years after world war ii, immerwahr notes, the united states moved away from colonialism. instead, it put innovations in electronics, transportation, and culture to use, devising a new sort of influence that did not require the control of colonies. rich with absorbing vignettes, full of surprises, and driven by an original conception of what empire and globalization mean today, how to hide an empire is a major and compulsively readable work of history.

New york times bestseller – now part of the hbo docuseries "exterminate all the brutes," written and directed by raoul peck – recipient of the american book award – the first history of the united states told from the perspective of indigenous peoples today in the united states, there are more than five hundred federally recognized indigenous nations comprising nearly three million people, descendants of the fifteen million native people who once inhabited this land. the centuries-long genocidal program of the us settler-colonial regimen has largely been omitted from history. now, for the first time, acclaimed historian and activist roxanne dunbar-ortiz offers a history of the united states told from the perspective of indigenous peoples and reveals how native americans, for centuries, actively resisted expansion of the us empire. – with growing support for movements such as the campaign to abolish columbus day and replace it with indigenous peoples’ day and the dakota access pipeline protest led by the standing rock sioux tribe, an indigenous peoples’ history of the united states is an essential resource providing historical threads that are crucial for understanding the present. in an indigenous peoples’ history of the united states, dunbar-ortiz adroitly challenges the founding myth of the united states and shows how policy against the indigenous peoples was colonialist and designed to seize the territories of the original inhabitants, displacing or eliminating them. and as dunbar-ortiz reveals, this policy was praised in popular culture, through writers like james fenimore cooper and walt whitman, and in the highest offices of government and the military. jesup, who, in 1836, wrote of the seminoles: “the country can be rid of them only by exterminating them.” spanning more than four hundred years, this classic bottom-up peoples’ history radically reframes us history and explodes the silences that have haunted our national narrative. – an indigenous peoples' history of the united states is a 2015 pen oakland-josephine miles award for excellence in literature.

The national book award winning history of how racist ideas were created, spread, and deeply rooted in american society. but racist thought is not just alive and well in america–it is more sophisticated and more insidious than ever. and as award-winning historian ibram x. kendi argues, racist ideas have a long and lingering history, one in which nearly every great american thinker is complicit. in this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of american history. he uses the life stories of five major american intellectuals to drive this history: puritan minister cotton mather, thomas jefferson, abolitionist william lloyd garrison, w.e.b. du bois, and legendary activist angela davis. as kendi shows, racist ideas did not arise from ignorance or hatred. they were created to justify and rationalize deeply entrenched discriminatory policies and the nation's racial inequities. in the process, he gives us reason to hope. i found both descriptions accurate for ibram x. i will never look at racial discrimination again after reading this marvellous, ambitious, and clear-sighted book." – george saunders, financial times, best books of 2017"ambitious, well-researched and worth the time of anyone who wants to understand racism." –seattle times"a deep (and often disturbing) chronicling of how anti-black thinking has entrenched itself in the fabric of american society." –the atlantic – a new york times bestseller – a washington post bestseller – on president obama's black history month recommended reading list – finalist for the 2016 national book critics circle award for nonfiction – named one of the best books of the year by the boston globe, washington post, chicago review of books, the root, buzzfeed, bustle, and entropy

If you want to discover the captivating history of the united states, then keep reading… – when the preachers of the great awakening stood on the backs of wagons or bits of old tree stumps and told the american people a new story of individual freedom and the power of ordinary people, they could never have dreamed that their preaching would trigger a landslide of abolitionism that would end in a civil war that almost tore the entire country apart. – when the civil war was finally won by the union, and all african americans' chains were broken at last, the military leaders could never have dreamed that within the next half century, the united states would emerge as one of the world's greatest military powers during the spanish-american war. and when those soldiers won the struggle against spain in cuba, they could never have dreamed that later in the century, cuba itself would turn against them and become the single greatest threat of nuclear annihilation during the cold war. – when the wright brothers first took to the air and thomas edison made the lightbulb, they could never have dreamed that american innovation would produce not only the ford car, basketball, the telephone, and facebook, but it would also be instrumental in creating the atomic bombs that killed hundreds of thousands of people and finally brought an end to the second world war. as for martin luther king, jr., he did dream. he had a dream of equality and brotherhood, and his dream at least partially came true in 2008 when america saw the inauguration of its first black president. never could the slaves of the great plantations of the south have dreamed that that day would ever come, but it did. – nobody could have dreamed it, but it all came to pass, and it became the history of the united states of america. and this is how it all happened… in the history of the united states: a captivating guide to american history, including events such as the american revolution, french and indian war, boston tea party, pearl harbor, and the gulf war, you will discover topics such as the people who were there first a time of exploration colonizing america the french and indian war the boston tea party the american revolution the first president restless times horrors for the natives awakening civil war seeking for peace a rising power progress disaster strikes the biggest bomb in the world icy tension freedom on the home front terror and its war and much, much more so if you want to learn more about the history of the united states, then scroll up and click the "add to cart" button

Uncover the key moments that shaped american history in this extensive history encyclopedia for children.get the background on the battle of yorktown and discover what started the american revolution. learn the legends of the wild west. relive the atmosphere of the "roaring twenties." covering everything from the cultures of the first native americans right up to the events of the present day, american history: a visual encyclopedia is the ultimate reference tool for exploring the history of one of the most remarkable nations in the world.created in collaboration with the smithsonian institution, american history: a visual encyclopedia gives detailed historical information and brings it to life with more than 750 photographs and paintings, plus extensive maps, charts, and state-specific information. each double-page spread focuses on one aspect of the nation's history, be it the civil war or civil rights, the great depression or the moon landing. complete texts of the declaration of independence and the u.s. constitution are included in the book for easy reference for classroom work or reports. perfect as both an irreplaceable homework help and a fascinating read, american history: a visual encyclopedia showcases the incredible journey the united states of america has made to become a major 21st century power.

The new york times bestseller a new york times notable and critics' top book of 2016longlisted for the pen/john kenneth galbraith award for nonfiction – one of npr's 10 best books of 2016 faced tough topics head on – npr's book concierge guide to 2016's great reads – san francisco chronicle's best of 2016: 100 recommended books "when you turn an election into a three-ring circus, there's always a chance that the dancing bear will win," says isenberg of the political climate surrounding sarah palin. yet the voters who boosted trump all the way to the white house have been a permanent part of our american fabric, argues isenberg. the wretched and landless poor have existed from the time of the earliest british colonial settlement to today's hillbillies. they were alternately known as "waste people," "offals," "rubbish," "lazy lubbers," and "crackers." by the 1850s, the downtrodden included so-called "clay eaters" and "sandhillers," known for prematurely aged children distinguished by their yellowish skin, ragged clothing, and listless minds. surveying political rhetoric and policy, popular literature and scientific theories over four hundred years, isenberg upends assumptions about america's supposedly class-free society–where liberty and hard work were meant to ensure real social mobility. poor whites were central to the rise of the republican party in the early nineteenth century, and the civil war itself was fought over class issues nearly as much as it was fought over slavery. reconstruction pitted poor white trash against newly freed slaves, which factored in the rise of eugenics–a widely popular movement embraced by theodore roosevelt that targeted poor whites for sterilization. these poor were at the heart of new deal reforms and lbj's great society; they haunt us in reality tv shows like here comes honey boo boo and duck dynasty. marginalized as a class, white trash have always been at or near the center of major political debates over the character of the american identity.

Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book. it is both a refreshing antidote to what has passed for history in our educational system and a one-volume education in itself.–howard zinn a new edition of the national bestseller and american book award winner, with a new preface by the author since its first publication in 1995, lies my teacher told me has become one of the most important–and successful–history books of our time. having sold nearly two million copies, the book also won an american book award and the oliver cromwell cox award for distinguished anti-racist scholarship and was heralded on the front page of the new york times. for this new edition, loewen has added a new preface that shows how inadequate history courses in high school help produce adult americans who think donald trump can solve their problems, and calls out academic historians for abandoning the concept of truth in a misguided effort to be objective. what started out as a survey of the twelve leading american history textbooks has ended up being what the san francisco chronicle calls an extremely convincing plea for truth in education. loewen brings history alive in all its complexity and ambiguity. beginning with pre-columbian history and ranging over characters and events as diverse as reconstruction, helen keller, the first thanksgiving, the my lai massacre, 9/11, and the iraq war, loewen offers an eye-opening critique of existing textbooks, and a wonderful retelling of american history as it should–and could–be taught to american students.

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling new york times bestseller that launched the entire dont know much about series. when don't know much about history first appeared, it created a sensation. with humor, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought americans a fresh new take on history. davis proved americans don't hate historythey just hate the dull version they were force-fed in school. in his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the momentcovering such topics as the end of the cold war, clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to september 11. incorporation new research and discoveries, davis also updates and expands on such long-standing american controversies as the hiss trial, and he includes an expanded civics-lesson that examines some of america's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty and school prayer. for history buffs and history-phobes alike, davis proves once more why people magazine said that listening to him is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had.

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling new york times bestseller that launched the entire dont know much about series. when don't know much about history first appeared, it created a sensation. with humor, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought americans a fresh new take on history. davis proved americans don't hate historythey just hate the dull version they were force-fed in school. in his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the momentcovering such topics as the end of the cold war, clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to september 11. incorporation new research and discoveries, davis also updates and expands on such long-standing american controversies as the hiss trial, and he includes an expanded civics-lesson that examines some of america's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty and school prayer. for history buffs and history-phobes alike, davis proves once more why people magazine said that listening to him is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had.

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout. – new york times bestseller yuval noah harari, author of the critically-acclaimed new york times bestseller and international phenomenon sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods. – over the past century humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. this may seem hard to accept, but, as harari explains in his trademark style—thorough, yet riveting—famine, plague and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges. for the first time ever, more people die from eating too much than from eating too little; more people die from old age than from infectious diseases; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals put together. the average american is a thousand times more likely to die from binging at mc – donalds than from being blown up by al qaeda. – what then will replace famine, plague, and war at the top of the human agenda? homo deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century—from overcoming death to creating artificial life. this is the next stage of evolution. this is homo deus. – with the same insight and clarity that made sapiens an international hit and a new york times bestseller, harari maps out our future.

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout. – new york times bestseller yuval noah harari, author of the critically-acclaimed new york times bestseller and international phenomenon sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods. – over the past century humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. this may seem hard to accept, but, as harari explains in his trademark style—thorough, yet riveting—famine, plague and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges. for the first time ever, more people die from eating too much than from eating too little; more people die from old age than from infectious diseases; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals put together. the average american is a thousand times more likely to die from binging at mc – donalds than from being blown up by al qaeda. – what then will replace famine, plague, and war at the top of the human agenda? homo deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century—from overcoming death to creating artificial life. this is the next stage of evolution. this is homo deus. – with the same insight and clarity that made sapiens an international hit and a new york times bestseller, harari maps out our future.

"america's history helps ap students: grasp vital themes: the seventh edition emphasizes political culture and political economy to help students understand the ways in which society, culture, politics, and the economy inform one another. understand periodization: america's history's unique seven-part structure, which organizes history into distinct eras, introduces students to periodization and helps them understand cause and effect, identify historical continuities, and track change over time. develop the skills they need to succeed: america's history's hallmark analytical narrative and pedagogy help students synthesize what they've learned and interpret history for themselves."–back cover.