The Oxford History of the American People, Vol. 1: Prehistory to 1789 [Paperback]

Samuel Eliot Morison (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Plume (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452011302
• ISBN-13: 978-0452011304
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stirring introduction to United States history, July 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Oxford History of the American People, Vol. 1: Prehistory to 1789 (Paperback)

Mr. Morison, the eminent authority on U.S. naval history, has written a great, three-volume introduction to United States history. Volume One will capture you immediately and you will feel compelled to read the other two volumes. Some of the most inspiring historical accounts I have read have come from these pages; I was truly sorry to have reached the end of Volume Three!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Oxford History of the American People, May 23, 2009

By 

J. Lindner (Gem Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Oxford History of the American People, Vol. 1: Prehistory to 1789 (Paperback)

Samuel Eliot Morison is the kind of historian who never goes out of style. Over time he may fall out of favor in light of some new theory or school of thought, but in the end his efforts still have merit and rank among the most important historians of all time. His three volume set on the history of the American people shows the reader the depth of knowledge Morison possesses and how he can write an effective, convincing argument. Compare this to the book by William Bennett "America: The LAst Great Hope," and you will quickly realize Bennett isn't qualified to wash the top of Morison's desk, let alone try to write a better history.

Morison covers all of the important basics, but he has an eye for detail that many people will never have. His history comes alive on the pages he writes. Morison includes interpretations that are still quotable by others today.

All in all this is a very thorough series on American history. Anyone who wishes to learn about our country should consider having this book. Nearly every library in the country carries it on their shelves, so finding a copy is not difficult.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mandatory book for home library, April 11, 2004

By 

kul (moon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford History of the American People, Vol. 1: Prehistory to 1789 (Paperback)

If you are interested in American history, this is it! Highly detailed, consist of short pieces, which can be read as stand alone articles. You need not read in sequence. Morison ensures that each section is understood by a lay reader. Sheds light on historical events at sociological angle. You will understand what and why people did throughout decades. What they were thinking, and why.

There are some minor factual errors here and there, and some setions may have been written different. Anyway, extremely good reference book.

Each student should have this book!