Don't Know Much About History - Hardcover

Davis, Kenneth C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0517577062 ISBN 13: 9780517577066

Publisher: Crown, 1990

Synopsis

Using a question-and-answer format, this chronological overview offers an informal introduction to American history and features annotated reading lists and biographical profiles

About this title

Review:

Kenneth Davis's aim in this program, as it is in all the titles of this popular series, is to make learning relevant and fun. He succeeds marvelously. Davis has an easygoing style and a good sense of humor. And most importantly, he knows how to present the "big picture." His history of the United States is not a series of isolated incidents that happened long ago with no bearing on contemporary American life. Listening to this presentation, we recognize patterns, notice how problems of the past resurface in our own present, and realize that history is what makes us today. We are also presented with a look at American history that is far more honest than anything gleaned from traditional textbooks. Heroes and villains alike are presented, warts and all, and the "less savory moments" in America's past are discussed frankly. For, as Davis explains, "the real picture is much more interesting than the historical tummy tuck." The theme running through the program, from pre-European settlement to the Reagan years, is the struggle for power--the never-ending battle between the haves and have-nots that is the "essence of history." Six hundred years of history are broken up into manageable segments though a series of questions (spoken in a number of different voices to help distinguish them from the main narration), each of which is given a specific answer and then discussed in the context of its contemporary setting and perhaps past and future events. This is a crash course that focuses on the basics but will inspire listeners to want to know more--which is really what learning's all about. (Running time: six hours, four cassettes) --Uma Kukathas

From the Publisher:

The runaway bestseller...over six months on the New York Times bestseller list.

About this edition

• Publisher: Crown
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0517577062
• ISBN 13: 9780517577066
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 462