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Rating: 
Summary: Kill me, please
Review: I have found this book a very helpful guide of US History providing many details and points of view to make many issues more comprehesible and objective/
Rating: 
Summary: a title
Review: In this even-handed narrative of U.S. History the authors examine implicitly a number of controversial issues that have emerged among American historians. They claim that although there may have been a grain of truth in Beard's 'Economic Interpretation of the Constitution', he went much too far in claiming that self interest dominated the Framers' thinking. They see Alexander Hamilton as patriotic nationalist rising above class and sectional interest to promote a strong national government and a capitalist economy. In their discussion of the Haymarket Explosion and the Pullman Strike and boycott in Chicago they say almost nothing about the pro-business, anti-worker bias of the Cleveland Administration. They see the Soviets as the real instigator of the Cold War although they are mildly critical of President Truman for claiming it was the American responsibility to resist Communism wherever it might appear in his Truman Doctrine address. Their assessment of Eisenhower's presidency is balanced right down the middle. In dealing with Ronald Reagan they quote the Tower Commission regarding his casual administrative style but they fail to give him due credit for his willingness to work with Gorbachev on arms reduction once the Soviet leader had cried 'uncle'. They conclude by saying there was economic revivial under Reagan but at a great cost of huge deficits and reduced social programs but only time would tell if Reagan's presidency was a successful one or not
Rating: 
Summary: Mainstream History:Balanced and Fair to a Fault
Review: In this even-handed narrative of U.S. History the authors examine implicitly a number of controversial issues that have emerged among American historians. They claim that although there may have been a grain of truth in Beard's 'Economic Interpretation of the Constitution', he went much too far in claiming that self interest dominated the Framers' thinking. They see Alexander Hamilton as patriotic nationalist rising above class and sectional interest to promote a strong national government and a capitalist economy. In their discussion of the Haymarket Explosion and the Pullman Strike and boycott in Chicago they say almost nothing about the pro-business, anti-worker bias of the Cleveland Administration. They see the Soviets as the real instigator of the Cold War although they are mildly critical of President Truman for claiming it was the American responsibility to resist Communism wherever it might appear in his Truman Doctrine address. Their assessment of Eisenhower's presidency is balanced right down the middle. In dealing with Ronald Reagan they quote the Tower Commission regarding his casual administrative style but they fail to give him due credit for his willingness to work with Gorbachev on arms reduction once the Soviet leader had cried 'uncle'. They conclude by saying there was economic revivial under Reagan but at a great cost of huge deficits and reduced social programs but only time would tell if Reagan's presidency was a successful one or not
Rating:
Summary: a title
Review: this book gives a great overall coverage of american history. keep in mind that such books are meant to introduce readers to historical issues on a very basic level. following, a very weighty topic like the war of 1812 is squished to fit only a few pages. of course this format will not be adequate to teach someone everything they ever wanted to know about the war of 1812. however, this concise format does serve as a great jump-off point for further study.that said, i think the authors should add that a major reason for the american settler push for texan independence in 1835 was the fact that mexico outlawed slavery in 1831. yes, mexico allowed american settlers to bring slaves into texas (mexico) up to that point. but the real story takes a bit of the moral punch out of "remember the alamo!"
Rating:
Summary: Kill me, please
Review: This book is supposed to follow the timeline of American History (Pre-Civil War)... however, in an effort to have the reader draw parallels within these times, the author skips back and forth through time, often in long tangents. Not the worst book ever, but definitely not the best!
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