Atlas, Ed., How They See Us: Meditations

¶ … Atlas, ed., How They See Us: Meditations on America

Although entertaining, and for the most part true, this book tends to have a "preaching to the choir" perspective that could too easily isolate some readers. I get the sense that a large segment of the population that could benefit from reading this book are precisely the ones that will avoid it, thereby nulling the potential benefit it might have in changing the attitudes and behaviors of Americans. As a history text, however, this book is essential in teaching students how much of American self-image is created of myth.

Blaisdell, ed., Great Speeches by Native Americans

Native Americans are rarely considered part of the fabric of the history of the nation; they were completely robbed not just of land but also of dignity and respect. This book counterbalances the centuries of stereotyping the "noble savages" by presenting dozens of eloquent speeches that should be read alongside the Gettysburg Address in American history books. This is an essential book to include in any course on American history.

Carroll, ed. Letters of a Nation

A

This is an indispensible primary source that should be kept on the bookshelf of any student or professor of American history. It is difficult to locate primary sources quickly, and this book changes that. While not something to read cover-to-cover, it is a solid reference book.

Cumings, Dominion from Sea to Sea: Pacific Ascendancy and American Power

B

Most of the issues described in this book are very important to an overall understanding of American history, and I learned a lot reading from it. However, I found it to be tedious to read at times.

Katz., ed., Why Freedom Matters

A

This book is an interesting inclusion in the course, because it is about one of the most fundamental facets of American identity: freedom. This word is overused so much by Tea Party people and others in the country that it is essential to be reminded of what "freedom" is from different and classical perspectives.

Limerick and White, The Frontier in American Culture

A

I appreciated this book for its not romanticizing the cowboy culture and Pioneer culture, the way Western expansion is often presented in American history books. Also, this book was an interesting component to the course because it focuses on one specific aspect of American history.

O'Hearn, ed., Half+Half: Writers on Growing Up Biracial and Bicultural

B

Especially because we have a biracial president, it is important to incorporate issues related to racial identity in a class on American history. Most Americans come from a position that we must choose one race or another. This is more a matter of American culture and identity than it is history. The best thing about having this book in the syllabus is that it allows many students to think differently about who writes history, and the biases that we often miss.

Smith, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992

A

Although it focuses on a relatively narrow bandwidth of American history, this incredibly creative presentation was enlightening. It was very helpful to have this perspective in the course, because I am personally interested in the issues discussed. I remember when the riots happened, and I look forward to learning more about why the riots happened, and what impact they have had on the evolution of culture in Los Angeles and the rest of the country.