America: A Narrative History (Brief Seventh Edition) (Vol. One-Volume) [Paperback]

George Brown Tindall (Author), David E. Shi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393927342 | ISBN-13: 978-0393927344 | Publication Date: March 2, 2007 | Edition: Brief Seventh Edition

Used by over one million students, America: A Narrative History is one of the most successful American history textbooks ever published.

The Brief Seventh Edition offers the attractive features of the full-length text—lively and accessible narrative style, a keen balance of political with social and cultural history, a full-color layout, and exceptional value—in a more concise format. The Brief Seventh Edition also introduces the carefully integrated new theme of environmental history, adding illuminating perspectives on how Americans have shaped—and been shaped by—the natural world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Brown Tindall, late of the University of North Carolina, was for many years one of the country’s most distinguished professors of American history. He was the author of several books, including South Carolina Negros, 1877-1900; the award-winning The Emergence of the New South, 1913-1945; The Disruption of the Solid South; and, most recently, The Ethnic Southerners.


David E. Shi is president and professor of history at Furman University. Professor Shi was the Frontis W. Johnston Professor of History at Davidson College for more than a decade. His four books focus on American cultural history: Matthew Josephson, Bourgeois Bohemian; The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture; In Search of the Simple Life: American Voices, Past and Present; and, most recently, Facing Facts: Realism in American Thought and Culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1264 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Brief Seventh Edition edition (March 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393927342
• ISBN-13: 978-0393927344
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good study reference, but..., June 22, 2009

By 

ChibiNeko "Sooo many books, so little time!" (Whereever I go, here I am.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: America: A Narrative History (Brief Seventh Edition) (Vol. One-Volume) (Paperback)

As someone who likes history but hates studying it, this textbook was a gem. It is very brief and to the point, but it's the little things that really make this textbook shine.

The first great bit that I loved was the free website that they offer with the book. Most other companies charge for this, so this was like having a little extra help for free. The next part that I liked was that there were plenty of little questions peppered throughout the book (usually under one of the many pictures) that students can use to test their comprehension of the material. Suffice to say, if you didn't know the answers to the questions that meant that you should go back & re-read the chapter.

Now for the "but" part of my review. There are two flaws to this book, although neither are really terrible enough to warrant knocking the rating down. The first flaw is that the textbook does sadly suffer from "textbook-itis". Textbook-itis is when a publisher/writer has to boil a subject down to the bare minimum in order to squeeze all of the major details into a textbook. It's the best way to ensure that everything is taught, but unfortunately it does make for a dull read for the average student.

The other "flaw" is that the book isn't entirely non-partial. It's rather subtly done & most students would never realize it unless they read the chapters over & over again. It doesn't interfere with the reading & to be honest, the viewpoints are so common that they aren't controversial at all. I honestly don't mind reading an author's viewpoint & in the case of this book I do agree with their opinions, but textbooks are supposed to be non-partial.

Still, this is a great textbook when all things are considered. I do recommend that if you aren't great when studying in a classroom situation that you take the time to find a few accompaniments to help you with the text. I personally liked to use the sparknotes guidelines with this book.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great bargain, October 6, 2007

By 

Jude "judessj" (Deer Park, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America: A Narrative History (Brief Seventh Edition) (Vol. One-Volume) (Paperback)

This is one of the most portable but comprehensive history textbook for US history. It is a must-have for US history students. And the price here was the cheapest I could find online.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I ordered the wrong book, October 17, 2009

By 

Denise Reichert "Dannus" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America: A Narrative History (Brief Seventh Edition) (Vol. One-Volume) (Paperback)

1st class the instructor said I had the wrong book. The return was very easy and thr refund came very quickly. Thanks!