Don't Know Much About History - Updated and Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know about American History But Never Learned

Davis, Kenneth C.

ISBN 10: 0739303961 ISBN 13: 9780739303962

Publisher: Random House Audio, 2003

Synopsis

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling New York Times bestseller that launched the entire Don’t Know Much About series.

When Don't Know Much About History first appeared, it created a sensation. With humor, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought Americans a fresh new take on history. Davis proved Americans don't hate history–they just hate the dull version they were force-fed in school.

In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the moment–covering such topics as the end of the Cold War, Clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to September 11.

Incorporation new research and discoveries, Davis also updates and expands on such long-standing American controversies as the Hiss trial, and he includes an expanded "civics-lesson" that examines some of America's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty and school prayer.

For history buffs and history-phobes alike, Davis proves once more why People magazine said that listening to him "is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had."

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: Random House Audio
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0739303961
• ISBN 13: 9780739303962
• Binding: Audio CD