Rating: 
Summary: Great Expectations Prove Grand in Patterson's Oxford History
Review: The third and latest addition to the Oxford History of the United States is great and grand.
(If you haven't read the other two volumes released thus far,
do it now. This history series will rival the Durant's world history series. The two extant volumes are the
Pulitzer Prize-winning civil war history, "Battle Cry of Freedom," by MacPherson and the revolutionary war study,
"The Glorious Cause," by Middlecauff.) In Grand
Expectations, James Patterson traces U.S. history after
World War II until 1974, relying on the current
research of the period that makes it true and current
scholarship. It is insightful, balanced and at top form
as an historical, narrative work. If you enjoy history, you
must add this work to your collection. Even if you are
not a history buff, you'll want to read this work that summarizes the lives of your parents and yourself. It's
like receiving back issues of your favorite newspaper--
every day of your life--not just the day you were born.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent contemporary history
Review: This magnificent Oxford History of the United States volume joins earlier OUP volumes, James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" and David Kennedy's "Freedom From Fear," as exemplary history.These reflect the uncommon standard of excellence that personified their editor, C. Vann Woodward. Professor Patterson,the author of diverse, acclaimed books on this period, draws on an impressive panoply of sources from which he has crafted a judicious assessment of the period from Truman through Nixon. I find that he strikes the proper timbre in examining this critical period of great American responsibilities and major domestic and international challenges. One great strength is his sensitivity to economic and social shifts. Another strength is Patterson's keen insights into the personalities of Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, and Carter, with Ford mentioned in passing. In 790 pages of narrative, some of my favorite examples of quirky history must be excluded. I particularly regret exclusion of the Ford-Kissinger Mayaquez fiasco, in which 41 marines lost their lives rescuing 38 "hostage"crew members who had been released before the rescue operation commenced. One problem in writing contemporary history is that new, essential source materials are continually being made available. In a subsequent edition i would hope that Professor Patterson might incorporate insights from: Fred Emery's "Watergate: The Corruption of American Politics and the Fall of Richard Nixon," together with the excellent 3-video "Watergate" shown on The Discovery Channel; John Lewis Gaddis's "We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War History;" and Jeremy Isaacs' & Taylor Downing's "Cold War: an Illustrated History, 1945-1991," which is a companion book to the superb, 24-episode CNN Cold War series.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent contemporary history
Review: This magnificent Oxford History of the United States volume joins earlier OUP volumes, James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" and David Kennedy's "Freedom From Fear," as exemplary history.These reflect the uncommon standard of excellence that personified their editor, C. Vann Woodward. Professor Patterson,the author of diverse, acclaimed books on this period, draws on an impressive panoply of sources from which he has crafted a judicious assessment of the period from Truman through Nixon. I find that he strikes the proper timbre in examining this critical period of great American responsibilities and major domestic and international challenges. One great strength is his sensitivity to economic and social shifts. Another strength is Patterson's keen insights into the personalities of Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, and Carter, with Ford mentioned in passing. In 790 pages of narrative, some of my favorite examples of quirky history must be excluded. I particularly regret exclusion of the Ford-Kissinger Mayaquez fiasco, in which 41 marines lost their lives rescuing 38 "hostage"crew members who had been released before the rescue operation commenced. One problem in writing contemporary history is that new, essential source materials are continually being made available. In a subsequent edition i would hope that Professor Patterson might incorporate insights from: Fred Emery's "Watergate: The Corruption of American Politics and the Fall of Richard Nixon," together with the excellent 3-video "Watergate" shown on The Discovery Channel; John Lewis Gaddis's "We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War History;" and Jeremy Isaacs' & Taylor Downing's "Cold War: an Illustrated History, 1945-1991," which is a companion book to the superb, 24-episode CNN Cold War series.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Thorough and informative, everything a history book should be. I'm sure it didn't get its award for nothing.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Thorough and informative, everything a history book should be. I'm sure it didn't get its award for nothing.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone interested in American history!
Review: When I first purchased this book, I thought that it was going to be full of unnecessary rhetoric, and that I probably would not finish it. However, after the first one hundred or so pages, I could not put it down. Mr. Patterson has compiled a very judicious account of the twenty or so years at which America exemplified its global supremacy. He does not have a biased view about America, although, as he explains, very accurately, how America is not the all-mighty country that some neophyte historians proclaim it to be. Acknowledging the fact that the U.S. is on the decline in global status, Patterson tries to explain the events that led up to this downfall. He accomplishes this with ease, and in the process he gives an excellent history of not only post-war America, but of the world. His knowledge of this time period is clearly evident, as he often makes a clear and swift transition from domestic issues to global issues. To read this book, one does not need a previous knowledge of American history, and consequently, I strongly urge anyone to purchase this book.
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