Customer Reviews

National Geographic Almanac of American History

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had borrowed this book from our local library and was very impressed. There's so much information in it and so many great pictures...it is worth having on your shelf and you will refer to it often as you look up historical words or questions you run into, your children can use it for school...It is the only book of this kind, that I could find, that has the entire history and is not concentrating on just one time-period or subject abt. American history. I also bought the "world history" one from National Georaphic. It is a great price and I haven't seen it at this price anywhere else (trust me I've done some research before buying).

This book seems to have been written to run about 500 pages before it was cut down to its final length of 338 pages. many of the sections I've read have been difficult to truly understand--sometimes the authors makes claims that need more explanation, and other times the sentences or paragraphs seem to be non sequitors. Great images, though.

The National Geographic Almanac of American History makes a wonderful reference book on American history if one is looking for one title that covers American history from prehistory to the present. The book is very user-friendly and well-organized, and is divided into the following:
The Land
Milestones [covering immigration, religion, rise of democracy, language, legal system,slavery, industry, social reform, conservation and environment, civil rights, space race, and global mission]
Major Eras [from prehistory - present]
At a Glance
Appendix
Recommended reading
Index
Illustrations credits

Though I wouldn't say this book is exhaustive in its scope, it is wide and the work is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and maps. The essays that cover some milestone events are insightful and the illustrated time lines of important events are very useful. For those who like to read a history book with lavish illustrations, this book does an admirable job and is well-worth the money, especially at the discounted rate offered here. It makes an excellent supplementary reference tool for students, history aficionados, and reference book collectors, and would enhance any personal library. A great companion work to this would be the "Almanac of World History" also by National Geographic.

For adults who either loved or hated American history in high school and college, this is an excellent review. A well organized format starts as a general overview of progressive periods, and follows up with a more specific description of each era. Every section features maps or art representative of the period. All in all, this book displays the excellence we have come to expect of National Geographic.

Very informative, but a LOT of typo's. I would expect better out of a book bearing the "National Geographic" name.

National Geographic seems to place some thought into the references they create; this edition of American history was no exception.

The pages are well-organized, easy to read and full of side-bar facts, commentaries and anecdotes that are easy to remember. The pages are also very engaging and entertain even my young child!

Overall: A+ --> a very good investment for our home library.
We also purchased, the American Time Line: National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Time Line (Timeline)

Great book: easy to read, very interesting and we must know history of country. When you begin to read it - it just will takes you all until you complete the book! Full of illustrations and copies of actual historical documents. Good to own it and have it on your shelf, getting back to it periodically :)

Handy to have on the shelf for checking facts of American History. Looks like a textbook. Reads like a textbook. Hey, I think it is a textbook.

I got this as a gift. The recipient was very pleased with the book and the information that the book covered.

The National Geographic Almanac of American History is a good book to have.
Lots of detailed information and maps.
Sometimes, things need more explanation to get the whole message.

Overall, the book is really worth being on your bookshelf but,
saying that the universe began with a BIG BANG is disappointing of
the National Geographic. That is a meaning, not a scientific fact!