Customer Reviews

Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Second Seagull Edition, Volume 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the most interesting US History books I have had to read for school. The writing flows well and makes it easier to read than most others of its kind. It avoids "listing" things like a lot of history books do (e.g. "the English did this, this, and this. The French did this, this, and this, and the Spanish colonization affected the Aztecs in this way, this way, and this way") which makes it much less painful. It is also very well organized and easy to follow, instead of skipping around too much in dates and events.

This is the best history textbook that I have ever read. It is written like a novel, and I can't seem to put it down. From having bad memories of grade and high school classes I didn't want to take U.S. History ever again. But this book erases all of that! I found it interesting that capitalism actually started in England. I apologize to the people that already knew that, but I didn't know that. That's why I am in school.

This book also makes it clear that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Like one reviewer said, one can get dark on the people who started America, (I won't use the same words that he did). That being said, after reading this you will realize how decisions that men made hundreds of years ago are still being made today. Also, the troubles that plagued their society plague ours today. There are definitely parts of the story that will make you angry!

So, if you get a chance to take a U.S. History class look out for a professor using this textbook. "Give Me Liberty" also has a companion book which is a compilation of the important documents mentioned in the text: "Voices of Freedom: Volume 1."

The book is written more like a novel that paints a picture of early America throughout the entire course of the book. This is a complete change of pace from what is taught in most high schools, save a few. The author spends more time discussing relationships between certain people groups, than he does on the actual events themselves. The book is rather hard to follow in terms of history, due to the fact that it usually takes about 60 pages before you fully understand what the author is trying to say. I find it hard to believe this generation of college students are getting a legitimate history course, because unfortunately most teacher administer quizes and tests based on the small details and not the big picture, which is what history should be taught as. Small details should be left to upper division history classes because History majors are really the only students who will benefit from such tedious work. Between the focus on small insignificant historical details, and the authors boring writing style, i can't imagine any student actually reading one of the 60-80 page chapters and understanding nor retaining any of the information. I don't recommend this book to anyone who actually wants to learn about early American history, and in my personal opinion i think most colleges are wasting their time and the valuable time of the students, who by the way unfortunately have to pay for this torture. If you are a student, take heed and take a history class that does not require this text book. That way you might actually learn a thing or two.

I finished this in a history class where I'm going back to school. From the beginning I could tell this wasn't going to be the history I took in high school (long, long ago). I'm sure everything is factual, there are a couple of places where the author throws in his two cents of an opinion, but they're short and not very often. He does go over the good parts of American history, but it seems like there is more of, how evil white men ruled America. Which maybe true, but at the time and even now, it's still the best system and it's where everyone wants to be. Just be prepared to have a different opinion about America when you're through.

I like the book and the author, I made sure I'm taking my next history class with the second part of this book. This book only goes to Reconstruction (after the Civil War). I'm curious to see how he views the rest of history and like I said the facts are there and it is interesting.

You'll know why the kids today hate America and don't think it's the special place it is after reading this book. Four stars for the facts and the writing, just be aware of the attitude.

I have never been so interested in history in my life!!! I normally hate history and find it sooo boring (especially American history!) and reading textbooks is such a drag. This book, on the other hand, was well put together by THEME, and with a little less emphasis on dates than other books, which is extremely helpful when reading this book for class. (I hate dates, so if you're like me, you're definitely going to appreciate the context into which the author places each and every event.) It also shows very clearly the relative points in history, like how one theme leads to the next and how one major change in another continent specifically led to a movement in the American continents.

Long story short: This book is great!

Pretty decent history book. Language is quite understandable not too difficult or anything great read if you like history. The book goes in to great depth explain historical events in United States history. Easy A if read thoroughly

I ordered Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Second Seagull Edition, Volume 1. The book was is in really good condition and I would purchase here again.

Read through most of this book for first section of American history. I was quite helpful and not terribly difficult to read. Good maps.

It's good to get a different perspectives, especially when it's a perspective discussing about minorities. I know this is important in history but it leaves out the main story of this country. Any textbook that celebrates Eugene Dubs and his struggles with trying to implement socialism into our economy should raise some eyebrows. This book is filled more with tidbits of history...like bad things happening to very few good people. It's interesting to learn about what happens to our minorities, and it should be embraced within history but it's missing the big picture. Foner goes in depth about the economic "atrocities" of conservates in the U.S. and it notorious for using many fallacies of economics in this text. I would not recommend this book to anyone. You might as well read A Peoples History from the (yes, it's true) communist, Howard Zinn.... Read a Patriots History, please. This books gives insight to our minorities as well as a broader scope of history and discusses our achievments as a country. Thanks

This is a great book. It covers our American History very well. Eric Foner does a great job. It also took two days to get to me in which I was very thankful for.