American Civil Society: A Book of Questions and Readings

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must for the student of American history
Review: A brilliantly collected array of superior sources, representing the cultural diversity of America. This collection offers the reader the opportunity to examine not only the ideological sources that influenced the founders of this country, but also the documents that have molded our laws, society, and culture into what it is today. Study questions are designed for the reader to interpret the sources on their own. This collection of essays is particularly useful for college instructors teaching students the processes of independent and analytical thought.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must for the student of American history
Review: How did we get to the way of life we all come to expect in America? Where are the roots of our civil liberties? Did American democracy suddenly burst upon the scene? Or were there revelations and breakthroughs along the way? What were the problems confronted along this development? These questions are explored in this outstanding collection of readings on American Civil Society. Any one who is a teacher or any one who has wondered about the workings of the American way of life and how it came about will finally find the most superb collection of literature to date on this subject. Commencing with readings from Exodus through Confucius to the European thinkers and some of our founding fathers; leading on to various seminal court cases, a fascinating glimpse into the formation of a great society unfolds. For this reason, I recommend Civil Society in America for any of you who have a desire to explore our way of life in this great hour of challenges and struggles.
Nancy Holland

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Glimpse Into The Formation of A Great Society
Review: How did we get to the way of life we all come to expect in America? Where are the roots of our civil liberties? Did American democracy suddenly burst upon the scene? Or were there revelations and breakthroughs along the way? What were the problems confronted along this development? These questions are explored in this outstanding collection of readings on American Civil Society. Any one who is a teacher or any one who has wondered about the workings of the American way of life and how it came about will finally find the most superb collection of literature to date on this subject. Commencing with readings from Exodus through Confucius to the European thinkers and some of our founding fathers; leading on to various seminal court cases, a fascinating glimpse into the formation of a great society unfolds. For this reason, I recommend Civil Society in America for any of you who have a desire to explore our way of life in this great hour of challenges and struggles.
Nancy Holland

Rating:
Summary: Good Readings
Review: This very useful work is a collection of readings meant to be a cross section of the important issues in American society and history. Each reading is followed by a series of questions designed to stimulate classroom discussion. One of the advantages of this book is that, instead of going to the usual canon of authors, the editors chose less obvious works. These explore many of the core issues in American history; race, personal freedom, and questions of citizenship. Overall an excellent selection. Can be used for a number of different US history and society classes.