Rating: 
Summary: An Over-simplification of History
Review: One must give some credit to Johnson for his ambitious attempt to narrate American History in one book. That said, the result is a frighteningly simplistic, depth-free "listing" of events. Worse, where he tries his pen at explanations of important moments in US history (particularly recent history), his point of view seems to come from Mars instead of London. Johnson displays an amazing lack of understanding of American politics and law. He chides American leaders and policy makers for their naivete, and he almost chuckles "I told you so" at America's international "failures" (as defined by himself) -- all attitudes that one associates with pre-WWII England, before the American rescue of the British way of life. A project of this magnitude would be vastly better if written dispassionately and without sly commentary. His slant of history makes the read much less enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: A tour de force - great review of American history
Review: I enjoyed this book so much I read it again. Johnson's review of the pre-colonial era and the role that religion played was particularly interesting as it provided a keen insight into the underpinnings of our nation's strongly democratic tradition. His concluding remarks at the end of the book were most stirring and eloquent. A thoroughly positive and uplifting message.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent history that reads like a novel
Review: Mr. Johnson's text ebbs and flows through the tale of the country. Beginning before the United States of America was even concieved, he weaves a fascinating story of America. Though I do take exceptions to his analysis in some areas, I did enjoy the study. What makes this book refreshing is his perspective. It is nice to see a book written by a conservative without presenting the liberal "politically correct" biases evident in today's history books. Taking time to dwell on important subjects, he masterfully brings history home to his readers. All in all, this book is excellently written. In fact, during the time I was reading it, I took a longer bus route to and from work so that I would have more time to savor it! --- James D. Umbach
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Read
Review: This book is one of the best. The author give an objective view of American history, and since he himself is not an American it is more believable. Even though I disagree with some of his conclusions towards the end of century, I do respect his views (which I agree with 95% of the time), and have learned from them.
Rating:
Summary: Great Writing
Review: Yes, it is full of opinions but you can't deny that this is great writing. It is Paul Johnson at his most even paced and readable. Unfortunately, the post civil war through the present gets shorted and he does spend an inordinate amount of time with the U.S. presidents. No matter - I soaked up every page.
Rating:
Summary: A good overview
Review: By and large, this is a good overview of American history, and should certainly be a starting point for any budding American history buff. The book is not only endearing to me for ideological reasons (because, finally, it gives FDR and JFK the judgments they actually deserved), but because it tells the entire American story (I couldn't think of one major event in US history which has been neglected). Unfortunately, though, 1100 pages is not really enough to tell this story. Especially in the 20th Century, the reader might feel that Johnson is giving little more than a basic account with a greater focus on his own opinion. But this is not entirely a bad thing: the inherently concise nature of the book gives us eminently understandable accounts of great periods in our history, especially his excellent explanation of the Civil War.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST Read
Review: This is an amazing book. The entire history of the American phenomenon is examined. It includes explanation of broad historical trends as well as detailed sketches of historic figures and events. You will learn something fascinating on every page, and find out who we are as a people. Especially in this age of divisive public debate, there is no doubt that every student, every adult, every American MUST read this book.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: Thoroughly enjoyable. All thats left now is for Ken Burns to make a film out of it. Must reading for every american.
Rating:
Summary: A brash but readable view of American history and culture,
Review: I enjoyed this book: some 800 pages which I didn't want to end. I think it is aimed at a British audience, but it has been fascinating for me to see what American readers are making of this informed Englishman's view of the history and culture of their country. Mr Johnson is conservative, but no snob. He loves a winner, yet he throws down fresh, challenging insights about some of the country's lesser known histroymakers. Nor does he let an accepted truth or hagiography to stand in the way of a good opinion or two. I felt uneasy about his views on contemporary America. I am squeamish about talking politics, especially where they are someone else's. Mr Johnson (as readers of the London 'Spectator' will know) has no such inhibitions. But I'm sure offended admirers of FDR and JFK will have plenty of ammunition to shoot back at him. And I don't suppose he will mind them doing so. That said, I did squirm at the favourable comparison made, in terms of a sense of humour at least, between Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan! Plenty of little slips and typos in my copy, so a second, revised edition would be welcome, perhaps after attentive 'Amazon' reviewers have sent in their favourite bloopers (the confusion between two Civil War close namesakes seem to be most pointed-out error.) Yet I believe that, imperfections aside, Mr Johnson has the infectious enthusisiasm of a true historian, eager to share his love of subject with an appreciative audience. Perhaps this is why he is guilty of repeating rather too often variants on the phrase "it is important to grasp". He can safely cut-out all of these in the reprint: his narrative flow rarely allows our attention to waver.
Rating: 
Summary: bizarre reading of American history; badly researched.
Review: It is difficullt to swallow a purported "history" of the American people that extols the virtues of Harding, Coolidge and Nixon as first rate presidents at the same time as it castigates Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a "bad" president. It becomes more difficult when these and other outlandinsh revisonist concepts are offered in the context of a badly researched book. For one who attempts to write a history of the American people to confuse and combine the identities of Confederate Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and Joseph Johnston shows that the author just doesn't have a real grasp of his subject. This is one of several factual errors that are annoying to the knowledgeable reader, an annoyance that is compounded when the book moves into the 20th century and presents a point of view that just doesn't make sense. This book is bad history.
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