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Summary: Davis' Book Makes Stale History Digestible and Delicious
Review: Like a great baker, a great writer can turn even what might have been stale into something not just digestible, but delicious. Clever turns of phrase and crisp, engaging writing style (in an easily referenced question and answer format) allow historian Kenneth Davis to chart American history and debunk many of its myths in this exceptional update of his 1990 best-seller. Drawing on reports of the period and on revisionist histories, Davis concisely shows the humanity in American icons known only by one name: Lincoln's views on race relations, Washington's at times bawdy sense of humor, Franklin Roosevelt's thirst for power and gift for political (and apparently, personal) compromise, Ford and Lindbergh's disquieting bigotry and animosity. (Robert E. Lee's quote on slavery's positive effects show him, despite honors afforded him in the Civil War's losing cause, very much a man of his time.) Davis also provides short biographies of historic's outstanding black voices, from Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois' passion to the Mohammad Ali's athletic urban poetry. Davis also shows a refreshing desire not to be objective, a rarity in books like this. He attacks the nation's great shames (treatment of Native and African Americans, Japanese-American internment during World War II), targeting history's cynics and opportunists whose names still ring of American royalty: Vanderbilt, JP Morgan, Rockefeller, even the Kennedys. (Davis' coverage of the reasons and results of 1898's Spanish-American War will disturb those always thinking Americans fought defensively and for the right causes.) Davis also explains the interlocking events which started WWI, which (should you choose to read the book cover to cover) pour into every other tragic conflict which followed up to and including September 11. Davis misses some steps covering the last 30 years. He covers Watergate in depth, including an events timeline, which he does for every war covered in the book. But he glosses over Richard Nixon's historic trip to China and for that matter, much of the Ford-Carter years. He again retells Monica Lewinsky's affair with President Bill Clinton but fails to capture (in fact, hardly mentions) the Whitewater and Travelgate scandals inspiring Ken Starr's investigation and staining Clinton's administration and legacy. Davis' summary of American tragedies tying into September 11's horror is heartfelt but forced. But he also explains Electoral College and US Constitution, charts the US presidents, and provides an exhaustive list of referred readings to complete an exceptionally exciting retelling of history. "Don't Know Much About History" is a title only true until the book is completed; it is exceptionally helpful as a primer and essential as a supplementary history book.
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Summary: Something for Everyone
Review: Don't Know Much About History is a wonderful concept for a non-fiction book. Instead of dissecting one historically significant event or personality and devoting 500 pages to explain it, Kenneth C. Davis writes just a few pages to cover each of the many momentous events in American History over the past 5,000 years. Snobby critics can claim that the result is a book for dummies, a shallow glossing over of important topics--the "CliffsNotes" version of American Heritage. That may be, but the result also has tremendous value. Very few of us have more than an inch-deep understanding of even half of the history he covers. Clearly he couldn't discuss everything American, but he has chosen an excellent cross-section of influential events. Most of us have heard many of terms such as the Louisiana Purchase, Manifest Destiny, Separate but Equal, on and on, but would be hard pressed to come up with more than one sentence to accurately describe them. Davis's book helps us here. Some history books delve deeply into one subject, but miss the forest for the trees. Davis's book sees the whole forest of American history--at least the tops of the trees. And the fast-paced, short-topic nature of it holds the attention span of non-history-buff readers, making it accessible to the masses. The downside of the book is that although Davis does a commendable job of disguising his own political leanings, he writes with a distinctly cynical voice, which begins to grate as the pages turn. By the book's end, it was simply annoying. The accuracy of his facts are tinged by his added analysis, which seems to lead readers toward the conclusion that American history is devoid of altruism, that virtually everything accomplished by America in the past 400 years was the unintentional byproduct of dark, ulterior motives, i.e., money, fame, conquest, etc., rather than in the simple quest for freedom, fairness, or virtue. The truth, of course, is somewhere in the middle. America is not, nor has it ever been, perfect. But it's better than a lot of the alternatives. I don't suggest that Davis is attempting to claim otherwise; I don't think he means to send that message, which is exactly why the book loses one star for unintended tone. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of BIG ICE
Rating: 
Summary: Informative and entertaining, yet it lacks full objectivity
Review: History is one of those topics that can make the eyes glaze over or appreciably brighten. Too many, alas, get their first and only taste of history in the classroom in either a grade school or high school classroom, where more immediate concerns, such as lunch or awakening hormones, often take precedence in learning what British general surrendered at Yorktown. Every once in a while, a teacher will come along and instill some relevance into the subject matter, demonstrating, for example, why everyone in New Orleans talks funny as the result of the Louisiana Purchase. But, for the most part, history class is where a young mind feels its mortality ticking away for the first time. It is Kenneth C. Davis's intention to correct this state of affairs with DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY. The original volume of this work was published in 1990. This new one is, in the words of the author, completely revised and updated. It retains the strengths and the weaknesses of the original. The format of DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY is very simple and straightforward. The book proceeds chronologically with each chapter divided into subheadings in the form of questions, which Davis proceeds to answer. Accordingly, the first chapter, "Brave New World," begins with the question "Who Really 'Discovered' America?" It is thus relatively easy to go directly to an event of interest. The book has an excellent and in-depth index --- which is nearly 20 pages long --- and lends itself well to picking up and reading at random. Davis has a breezy and entertaining style that makes DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY hard to put down. If you open it in search of one topic, you'll undoubtedly read at least five or six before putting it down again. Davis also, as a general rule (with some lapses), takes pains to present all available facts regarding an issue and does so quite effectively when dealing with such topics as Alger Hiss, the secession of Southern states and the Thomas Jefferson-Sally Hemmings controversy. Where DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY breaks down is when Davis treats his subject matter as a vehicle for his own editorials. He is capable of being evenhanded, such as when he deals with the impeachment of Bill Clinton or the Second Amendment. That is why it is all the more glaring when he takes off on such topics as Iran-Contra and Oliver North, Plessy v. Ferguson, or what he refers to as "Contract with America." While he is certainly entitled to take umbrage at historical events, selectively or not, Davis's intermittent lapses of objectivity unfortunately result in turning DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY into a subjective treatise and casts doubt on the accuracy of what he presents. While DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY is worthwhile as informative entertainment, it is not necessarily a work one would want to wholly rely on as a reference. If its intent is to make history interesting and relevant, it does so quite handily. However, one seeking an objective, more scholarly work would be better served looking elsewhere. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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Summary: A GREAT INDOC & REFRESHER
Review: First off, let me address the sentiment reflected in the other reviews regarding a preceived "bias" in the presentation of the facts. Ask yourself just where are you supposed to obtain written history completely void of interpretation? If you find one, please drop me an email. History is more than just flat facts and anyone who studies history knows that you must & should read numerous sources to draw a conclusion that is satisfactory to you.
For the individual interested in gaining a thumbnail look and American History, Davis nails it. He hits upon all the major events - the events a K-12 student would expect to cover. Davis' writing style is lively and even humorous at times.
If you're already well versed in American History then you might find this book a bit on the freshmen side of the tracks - however, I find myself referring to it on occasion to refresh my self on topics that I've forgotten (Boss Tweed who?).
Bottom line. This book is a great place to start and good quick reference book. If you looking for history in the nooks and crannies, I'd suggest anything by the brilliant H.W.Brands.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent history - but blatantly biased
Review: As someone who developed an interest in history in my 30's (and having paid no attention in high school and college history), I found this book to be a great place to gain an overview of American history. If the book had stuck to the facts, I would have given it 4 stars. Unfortunately, the author can't resist showing his strong liberal bias - to the point of making disparaging comments of those who may disagree with his interpretation of the facts. This became more and more evident as he moved into 20th century history. If you are fairly ignorant of American history (like me) and want a quick and interesting starting point to learn more, this is a good book to start with. Just be prepared for a sales pitch on liberalism.
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Summary: an ok history book, but VERY biased
Review: Ok, so I do consider myself a liberal person. But I also like to read facts in history books, not biased opinions of them. Unfortunaltely, this book is much more on the opinions side. Even though I agreed with many of the author's biases, it was still very annoying to feel that I am being fed someone's views instead of historical facts. If you don't agree with the author's views, this would be quite unpleasant. In terms of the general coverage of history, the book does an ok job, but has a hard time keeping a thread - there is a lot of jumping around which makes it hard to follow, especially in an audio format. Nontheless, you do get an ok overview of American history (or at least of the author's opinions of the events). In general, I would not recommend it unless you are desperate or just need a fast refresher and are willing to ignore all the opinionated pieces and tease out the facts.
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Summary: A refreshing refresher on U.S. history
Review: This is an enjoyable book for adults who wish they remembered more from high school history class. Although it's a serious and factual book that cuts well above the "bathroom reader" category, it's not intended as an advanced text for historians. For example, the issues leading up to the civil war are covered in a single chapter. Obviously there's some simplification there. Expert historians would want several full books on the subject. And while the book is serious and factual, it's not dull and lifeless like the high school history texts many of us remember. The author writes with an active style and includes occasional bits of humor. He's also willing to pass judgment after outlining the facts -- and that's what really makes this book insightful. For example, in describing George Washington he goes beyond the mythic, beatific hero accounts given in typical textbooks and talks about the man's earthy, human side as well as some of the his shortcomings. I recommend this book to any adult who has forgotten high school history. I think it is especially valuable for parents whose children are learning about history in school -- you can refresh your knowledge and help your children learn. This book would even be good for older students (at least 8th grade) themselves to read, particularly if their teachers and textbooks just aren't making the material interesting enough.
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Summary: Don't Know Much About Accuracy
Review: I must agree with previous writers who DO know something about history--this book is superficial and often just plain wrong. I have done a good deal of research about John Brown, and was encouraged to find three books by the real expert on this subject--Stephen Oates-- listed in Davis's bibliography. He must not have read the books, however, as he simply repeats the old prejudices that Oates did so much to disprove. And his summary of why the South seceded gives the impression that it was all the North's fault! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; beware of anyone who promises to simplify the complex.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not Great
Review: When I read the review about this being helpful for the Foreign Service exam, I quickly snapped up the CD version. I'm taking the exam in about a month and a half and thought it would be a good review for me. While it was definitely a good review, it was probably too basic for what I wanted.
The CD book is only 3 hours long. It covers a good breadth of material. However, if you're looking for more details and more topics, then I would suggest buying the unabridged versions, whether it be the book or the full-length tapes.
The speaker did a good job of keeping the material exciting and entertaining.
Overall, it was worth the money I spent. And if you're looking for more depth, buy the full-length versions.
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Summary: a subjective view of history
Review: The audio cd is entertaining and informative. Most of us need to sharpen our American history knowledge. My complaint would come from the subtle, but ever present, liberal spin. You will be bombarded with racist conclusions, the conservative party evils, and the wealthy extorting the average. You will like the cd, just keep an open mind that Mr. Davis was not present to witness these historic events; hence the subjective tone might be questioned
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