Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents [Hardcover]

Jay Crosby (Editor), Erik Bruun (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

This book tells a history of the United States using over 1,000 primary sources and documents. Fascinating articles, history-making speeches, moving personal letters, momentous court cases and more paint an in-depth portrait of American life in all arenas: political, social, religious and cultural.

Brief introduction by the authors give background information for each document.

Every issue in U.S. history is covered - from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights to Brown vs. the Board of Education and Roe vs. Wade.

Browsers will discover entertaining and informative writings not found in history books, including the first American cookbook, Andrew Carnegie's business advice, poems that inspired the Chicano Movement, Mario Cuomo's 1984 convention speech, the environmental movement manifestoes and the Starr Report.

Organized chronologically and divided by subject ("The Civil War," "The Cold War," etc.), all documents are cross referenced in indexes so history buffs can find their favorite documents by author, document name and first line.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-This anthology of 1000 chronologically arranged primary sources spanning 300 years of American history is a worthy companion to Henry Steele Commager's Documents of American History (Prentice Hall, 1988). Bruun and Crosby have collected important public documents as well as sources that are as diverse as our nation's people: poetry by Anne Bradstreet, the history and words of "Yankee Doodle Dandy," Charles Lindbergh's remarks in Paris, Woolworth's merchandising tricks, Ernie Pyle's poignant column about the death of Captain Henry Waskow in the winter of 1944, and more. As the voices from history speak, one gains a vivid portrait of American life.
Linda A. Vretos, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

A sweeping array of documents detailing every aspect of America's storied history, OUR NATION'S ARCHIVE provides first person glimpses of the events, major and minor, that have shaped our nation. Featuring hundreds of voices spanning three centuries, these documents present the United States through the eyes of those who were there, bringing life to the past by showing history in its starkest and most immediate form--in the words of the men and women who lived it. Ours is a country based, first and foremost, on ideas. Here are those ideas laid bare, allowing readers to make their own interpretations.

These are the stories of the famous, the infamous and the forgotten; landmark legal documents; poems from our most cherished thinkers; news reports from the frontlines of war; speeches that still reverberate in our public consciousness. All of the important public documents and articles or legislation are included, from the Mayflower Compact to the Contract with America. Eyewitness accounts chronicle the history of America at every stage of its development, from the struggles of the early colonists to eke out a living and devise a system of government, to the United States' current status as the dominant player in world culture. We feel the chill of persecution reading the transcipt of a Salem witch trial, the thrill of accomplishment as Charles Lindbergh describes his descent into Paris to complete the first flight across the Atlantic and the nation's shared anxitey as we consider the Articles of Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton. These primary sources bring our nation's story to life in testimony that is by turns wrenching, enlightening, humorous and provocative, lending an unusually candid and insightful voice to history.

Conventional historical texts construct a story line of events, dates, and prominent individuals. This approach makes for a simple, easy-to-tell account of our past, but at the same time it strips away the contributions of those who did not make the historian's cut and sidesteps the diverse viewpoints of those whose ideas faded with the passage of time. It is easy to forget that each of us has an impact on the course of our nation's history; we all contribute to our national and collective heritage. The perspectives in OUR NATION'S HERITAGE are as varied as the nation's people: farm boys who trained hunting muskets on Redcoats; mothers who sacrificed their children for the Union's cause; Cherokee elders and Puritan clergy; crusading suffragists and Confederate soldiers; inventors, tycoons, musicians and writers. Their testimony traces the major events--wars, elections, the struggle for individual rights--but also provides surprisingly poignant glimpses into the humble lives of everyday citizens--curious recipes from the first American cookbook, harrowing stories from children in factories and survivors of the Los Angeles riots, and poetic interpreations of American life as the 20th century draws to a close.

America's path has not always been marked by glory, and many of the renowned national figures featured in OUR NATION'S ARCHIVE are those who dedicated their lives to giving a voice to those too long silent are righting the wrongs of the past. As the American nation unfolds, themes of history emerge. Step by step, women have elevated their political and economic rights. The shameful schism between European settlers and the African slaves has been narrowed, but it is yet to be fully bridged. The virtues of thrift and hard work were necessities in the colonies when survival was at stake and remain in place in America today. The basic principles of liberty, freedom and equality continue to serve as the nation's basic goals, even if there are different interpretations of what they mean and opposing views of how to best achieve them.

OUR NATION'S ARCHIVE is a comprehensive anthology of documents from the United States' history, a complte resource for everything from early Native American relations to contemporary foreign policy. At the same time, it is an acknowledgement of the millions of individuals who helped shape events and forge a successful democracy of the people, for the people. Their voices combine with the words of the legendary icons of American history to offer a uniquely vivid and moving portrait of our nation's history.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 888 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579124143
• ISBN-13: 978-1579120672
• ASIN: 1579120679
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than any history book I have ever seen., November 23, 2000

By 

Henry F. Haskell Jr. (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents (Hardcover)

A unique look at america through our documets including the govermental papers, first hand accounts of key events, songs, poems, speaches and prose of many kinds that define out nation. A great resource for the home or classroom and fun to read. A true learning experience.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking in Concept, Scope and Execution, April 27, 2005

By 

E. Hornaday (Lawrenceville, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents (Hardcover)

"Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents" is a phenomenal one-of-a-kind historical compendium that will thrill not only the historian and student, but also any citizen mildly interested in our country's evolution.

At around 900 pages, it may seem daunting or just another dusty tome of boring text. Instead, it is fascinating and riveting, providing EVERY important direct source document associated with the U.S., from its birth to its continuation into the modern age.

Brilliantly, editors Bruun and Crosby have also managed to include "documents" almost never included in history books -- speeches, articles and even poetry -- related to the primary documents of the events of the particular period.

For example, official documents pertaining to the Great Depression are reprinted, along with a section from John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," a novel of people who lived and suffered through those Dust Bowl days. Likewise, not only is the Executive Order interning Japanese Americans during World War II included, so is a side-bar describing the impact on Japanese American families who lost all of their property.

In an age when everything in society seems to revolve around the latest technological advancement, it is very centering to go through this book and read the true historical achievements of these incredible United States. Vividly illustrating its tragedies, as well as the justice and injustice done in the name of this nation, this book is truly like no other.

From the Declaration of Independence and the courts, to the true voices of vaunted politicians in their own words as well as the views of everyday citizens, events come to life in as astonishing a publishing accomplishment to come along in decades.

With a "couldn't-be-cheaper" price, this edition deserves to be in every home, library and school room in America. Even if you thought you knew the history of the United States from sea to shining sea, there is plenty inside these pages to surprise, delight or even sadden and sicken the most careful scholar.

Looked at in its entirety, this single volume not only educates, but in this new millennium, provides a sobering atmosphere to ponder the future of the country and every person's role as a responsible citizen. Bravo!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Primary Source Guide, January 24, 2004

By 

Matthew (Pembroke, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents (Hardcover)

Excellent book of primary sources. The author did not intend to put whole documents in this book. If you feel like you need the whole document, most of these can be found on the web.