Rating: 
Summary: Not On My Bookshelf
Review: I was eagerly looking forward to Ms Hakim's new book;"Freedom, a History of US". My family has very much enjoyed her 10 book series for young people; in particular we have appreciated Ms Hakim's ability to deal quite objectively with some of the less savoury aspects of American history. The new book will not be on my family's bookshelf. George W and Laura Bush were inappropriate and offensive choices for the forward. I question both Ms Hakim and her publisher in making this decision. Jimmy Carter or George Mitchell would have been far better choices.
Rating: 
Summary: Agree with Maryland
Review: I was excited to hear about this book and all ready to buy it until I saw the George and Laura Bush as "co-authors". Come on. An appointed president with no conscious won't be trying to teach my kids his version of history.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Gets No Stars
Review: I was set to buy this book. I am a homeschooling mom, and we have devoured all Joy Hakim's history books. But, I cannot, in good conscience, require my children to read what will obviously be political propaganda. It seems that many people, myself included, consider Bush to be a Freedom Oppressionist. It is unfortunate that he was chosen to represent this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow Liberal Tolerance alive and well on the reviews
Review: Interesting how those that preach tolerance for others, don't exactly practice what they "preach" Sorry if you are offended by the word preach, it is in no way endorsing or forcing my right wing christian beliefs on you. I just wanted to point out that "A reader from New Hampshire", A reader from Washington DC", "A Reader from Maryland", and Carolyn left some pretty nasty reviews. Turns out that because the name of George and Laura Bush is on the forward to the book, they won't even buy it. Of course there is the normal name calling and hate filled rhetoric that you would come to expect from left wing, intolerant socialist. You really should be ashamed for being incredibly petty and small minded, but then again, you were probably educated in government schools, so I guess we got what I paid for...
Rating:
Summary: Why Bush of all people for the forward?
Review: Is this book chiefly a history of the deception of the majority of the American people while in truth serving the richest 5% of Americans? No? Then why choose Bush for the forward? Why not choose someone neutral, or at least someone more than half the country doesn't truly disrespect? Someone who in some way truly represents American ideals of freedom, rather than the suppression of freedom? Sorry, I was going to buy the book, but I can't get past this. The thought of having something (supposedly) written by "President Bush" in my house was too much of a turnoff.
Rating:
Summary: Page-turning history
Review: Joy Hakim has a gift for making you feel like you're sitting down with her for a chat over coffee while she tells you amazing stories about American history. As she leads you through the revolution, the making of a nation, to the brink of civil war you can feel the tension and issues at stake. By the time I got to the twentieth century I felt I really understood the evolution of the American experiment for the first time. She's got a bouncy style with her narrative, moving back and forth between the present tense and the past so you feel the immediacy of the events taking place. The book is particularly good with making sense of recent history and what how the past informs us about what's happening right now. I'll remember the stories, and therefore the history, that comes through so well in this book. The book is also beautifully illustrated. The cover conveys the drama that's contained inside. I recommend this book for anyone who has ever wished they knew more about American history but didn't want to read dry, boring books to get it.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Achievement
Review: Joy Hakim has done it again--this time for adults as well as young adults. My kids use A History of US books in school, and they rave about American history. Telling me stories about this person or that. Since moving away from bland textbooks and reading the exciting stories of our past in Hakim's books, their test scores have improved and they like history. It's amazing!When I heard about Freedom I bought it immediately, and I can say that now I see what the fuss is all about. I'm loving it! I never knew that much about American history, but I feel like I'm really learning the basics. She really carries you along on an amazing journey--a page-turner that is sharp, engaging, critical, and full of flavor. The book is beautiful and I love the illustrations and asides. I've even given a copy to my parents to read. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to brush up on our nation's history.
Rating:
Summary: OUR history, accessible to all
Review: Joy Hakim's 10 volume series already sits among our homeschool books, but I did not hesitate in purchasing Freedom. In organizing the book around the search for Freedom, she has focused and refined her wonderful storytelling skills. History is most interesting when individual stories are told, and that is what Hakim does with skill. This book appeals to everyone in our house, from my 11 year old daughter to my 67 year old mother-in-law. Yes, George W. and Laura Bush wrote the forward, but (as another reviewer has said) that is not the point. This is unbiased history. I would have bought and enjoyed Hakim's book even if Clinton had written the forward!
Rating:
Summary: A fine history which invites leisure browsing
Review: Joy Hakim's history of American freedoms and freedom movements explores the foundations of the idea of freedom made by the founding fathers, juxtaposing vintage black and white photos with a lively history which features accounts of American heroes and ordinary people who have participated in struggles for freedom in this country. Add sidebars of historical information and you have Freedom: A History of Us, a fine history which invites leisure browsing.
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK IS REALLY GOOD...
Review: Look the subject first then read on. As I was in the subject don't even bother reading the bad reviews on this books which is in the beginning. Mostly the reviewers didn't read it or etc. Thank you.
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