Customer Reviews

A Nation Among Nations: America's Place in World History

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

 

 

Since 1500 the world has participated in a single global history - yet American historians tend to treat this country as though its history were isolated from that of the world. Here's a new interpretation of American history, setting it within context of international influences. From colonization patterns and objectives to decision-making processes which reached around the world - in both directions - A NATION AMONG NATIONS: AMERICA'S PLACE IN WORLD HISTORY is a remarkable series of connections between American events and world influence, drawn by a history professor with a dozen books to his name.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I picked up this book because its thesis - that American History should be viewed in a world context and not in the type of isolation that is the common way of teaching American History (for example - World War II started on December 7th, 1941) - was not just different, but also a more sensible way to view our history. The thesis is no doubt valid. Although I have read something in excess of 500 history books in the last 25 years this one ranks with some of the tougher ones to read. It never grabs and holds my interest. After 10 pages I am struggling to stay interested. I think the idea is great, but I just can't deal with the prose on the page.

Having said that, I will say that chapter 5, which deals with social legislation at the end of the 19th and dawn of the 20th century, is very good. It is interesting to see how far behind the US was compared to the rest of the world in many areas of social legislation, such as working conditions, food safety, and unionship rights. In some instances, it was not until the new deal that the US "caught up" with the rest of the world in some areas. And in one area, medical care, we still lag far behind many nations.

Overall a good book, but a tough one to read.

This book really makes you think differently! It examines how American history fits into the history of the world, something we often we look at backwards. Instead we consider that American history shapes that of the entire globe. Anyone interested in political history should read this book.

While the thesis is certainly valid I would say Bender overlooks just how much the U.S. has transformed history (for good and bad) in every corner of the map. Good Read.

I picked this work up at the local public library recently. I read the blurb and some of the mini-reviews and then I approached the book with fear and trepidation because I was not fond of the idea of some of my cherished notions of U.S. history being upset. I was all wet. I am now plowing through this very enlightening and easily read book and I am now forming new cherished notions of U.S. history.

Bender's book is a type of deconstructive history which was popular in the 1980's. It's great at tearing apart, and short on providing answers. It is everywhere and nowhere. Much like a freshman history course, this book is bland to the point of nothingness. Bender's book is like watching a child bash apart his stack of blocks. Ultimately, an adult has to come in to clean up the mess. This is simply not great history writing.

Despite its deceiving title, this is one of the best books explaining why America is not only the United States, and why the United States is not an exceptional nation. It also convincingly demonstrates that the year 1492 is the key (or the major key) of modern, planetary, history.