Customer Reviews

Promises to Keep: The United States Since World War II

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

 

 

This is an excellent textbook for courses on US history 1945-present. It covered all topics, from the civil rights movement to Iran-Contra, thoroughly and provided many supporting details. While concentrating on the high profile movements such as civil rights, the women's movement, and later the New Right, the author also traces Hispanic and American Indian movements and briefly touches on the Gay Rights Movement. His political commentary is somewhat liberal, especially in discussions on the most recent presidents, but his views do not significantly interfere with the facts he presents. Overall, it is an extremely well-written, in-depth analysis of political and social trends, and is a great resource for students.

I spend $5000 a year at Amazon. I also publish books and know that it costs a penny a page to publish a book with a hard copy jacket.

This is an important book, disgracefully priced beyond the reach of virtually everyone who actually needs to read it.

If and when the price drops to $35 or so, I will consider buying. If you agree, please join me in protest.

We used this book for my American History Class since 1945. I like learning about history. The major thing that my classmates and I disliked about the book is how it would jump time periods. For example we would be in chapter and it would be discussing the time period 1945-1955 and then the next section would jump to 1970 and then the following section we would be back discussing 1945.

Paul Boyer's "Promises To Keep" is an excellent textbook for the post-World War II society. He has references to important films, art works, and books throughout.

The book came in pretty good condition. I did not expect great condition because that was not in the product description. I got a "good" condition book for a good price.

I'm an older student, so old that the word "revisionist" was never applied to history. History was simply facts, dates, names, etc. Dull? Yes, but it was up to our professors to make those facts interesting - not the textbook.
I was struck by a line in Paul Boyer's Preface: "This, then is not an authoritive, predigested, take-it-or-leave-it version of recent U. S. history but one PERSPECTIVE on that history presented in a way that I hope will stimulate discussion and reflection."
We already must purchase a book that gives differing slants on modern problems that is to be used to supplement Boyer and provide PERSPECTIVE. Which book do I believe to be stating the truth? If I want PERSPECTIVE I'll ask my professor. I simply want a presentation of facts not an editorial wrapped up like facts.
I can see it'll be a long semester.