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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, to those who want to know the truth...
Review: Bailey made clear distinguishing characteristics between the roots of the early democratic and republican parties and carried their philosophies throughout the book.I guess that the history of American politics and how it REALLY became what it is today bothers many who feel that capitalism is nothing but evil, that there were ever countries that threatened our nation once upon a time, and that REAGAN whooped communism by OUT-SPENDING them on arms...these truths are spelled out in this book whether you want to face them or not.
Rating: 
Summary: If I could give it zero stars, I would.
Review: This book has been the BANE of my existence since I started A.P. History. I'll let some typically horrendous qoutes speak for me. "The Russian bear, having lumbered across Asia, was seeking to bathe its frostbitten paws in the ice-free ports of China's Manchuria..."; "...looted and polluted...w/ speed and greed.."; "fearing that a new generation of Germans would follow in their father's goose steps..." and so on. There's an entire chapter with section names such as "Unhorsing Knights of Labor" and "Gvt. Bridles the Iron Horse" and shameful use of alliteration such as "Wrongdoing in Railroading" and "Miracles in Mechanization". Bailey even throws in one that rhymes. It may seem funny to an outsider, but it's not--the entire book is written exactly like that. Bailey amazes me anew w/ every chapter. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does, big time. My theory is that his 1st ambition was to be a grocery-store romance novelist, but his writing was too bad, even for that--so he turned to textbooks to pay the bills. It's not even close to being objective, as a text should be; he constantly passes judgement on events, policies, even people. My hatred is impossible to fully express. I used to LOVE history, but this thing makes reading a chore. I plan to complain to the proper authorities in my school, to try to improve the lot of future generations of students.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This book is the finest work of American history that I have ever read. It is high informative while tracing the historical currents in American politics, economics, and society. It provides superp preparation for the AP US History exam. It is a truly enjoyable book to read: a pleasant mix of wit and scholarship.
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