Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

"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!!

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.

This is a book for those who are interested in the history of this country and want to read that history from the original documents rather than someone's interpretation of those documents. I suggest that, serially, you look for an area that interests you and then enjoy the stimulation of reading the original thoughts on your own. Other reviews that are critical apparently prefer reading academic media with plenty of footnotes. You'll learn a lot more from reading any part of this book than you will reading almost any academic article including all of its footnotes. You'll also come away with more appreciation for the spirit of the documents by reading them in the original.

This is a very valuable directory of documents to help one navigate through political opinion and just read the facts.
It's good for we Americans to understand our documents, and here they are!

Our nations Archive is a wonderful book to read or to give as a gift. I have given it to family and friends. One for each of my now adult children. Graduation, birthdays . Any occassion. No one has ever been dissappointed. Wonderful as a table book or refrence book.

Some of the works have been, understandably, edited for length. One flaw is that the year of the work is not supplied, which is a fundamental error in a book of this nature. However, overall, this one volume book is a fine addition your personal library.

This book is an interesting and delightful mix of historical writings and documents written by Americans. It helps present the personality of the individuals and America throughout our country's history.

Though some documents are understandably edited for length (the entire book is almost 1000 pages) this book is surprisingly comprehensive. I have not seen another text that includes as many important primary documents from such a span of our History in one single volume--and for as low a price as it is. It is an excellent buy.

This is a credible source, don't get me wrong, however history, in the form of documents, quotations, etc., can be very misleading. While, I'm certain, the editor selected the articles and quotes with some discretion, you need to stay objective and remind yourself that quotes alone are not always representative of a sinle person or time. Use this book, but read Howard Zinn's A Peoples History of the United States first, to get a good foundation of American History. History has always been told from a biased viewpoint from persons capable of being heard (Usually because of a higher position in a social-economic/political system). Use your mind to discriminate information from propaghanda.