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History of the United States
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584 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2007
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About the author
Charles A. Beard
233 books47 followersAmerican historian and educator Charles Austin Beard explored the aspects in works, such as
An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution
in 1913; self-interests of formulators based the document in his view, which profoundly affected the study.
Mary Ritter Beard shared economic view of history of Charles Austin Beard, her husband, and they collaborated on first volume in 1927 of The Rise of American Civilization , which characterized northern capitalists, who perpetrated the Civil War as the "second American Revolution" over southern plantation owners for gain.
shared her husband Charles's economic view of history and collaborated with him on The Rise of American Civilization (first volume 1927), in which they characterized the Civil War as the "second American Revolution," perpetrated by Northern capitalists over Southern plantation owners for economic gain
Charles Austin Beard with Frederick Jackson Turner most influenced of the first half of the 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs and textbooks in political science. He included a radical re-evaluation and thought of more than philosophical principles that motivated the Founding Fathers of the United States. Charles Austin Beard with Mary Ritter Beard, his wife, wrote the wide-ranging and bestselling The Rise of American Civilization , most influential major book, in 1927.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...
Mary Ritter Beard shared economic view of history of Charles Austin Beard, her husband, and they collaborated on first volume in 1927 of The Rise of American Civilization , which characterized northern capitalists, who perpetrated the Civil War as the "second American Revolution" over southern plantation owners for gain.
shared her husband Charles's economic view of history and collaborated with him on The Rise of American Civilization (first volume 1927), in which they characterized the Civil War as the "second American Revolution," perpetrated by Northern capitalists over Southern plantation owners for economic gain
Charles Austin Beard with Frederick Jackson Turner most influenced of the first half of the 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs and textbooks in political science. He included a radical re-evaluation and thought of more than philosophical principles that motivated the Founding Fathers of the United States. Charles Austin Beard with Mary Ritter Beard, his wife, wrote the wide-ranging and bestselling The Rise of American Civilization , most influential major book, in 1927.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 13, 2013
As a classroom history teacher, I realize that I am out of my league in reviewing this book. Charles and Mary Beard are "name brand" historians. There are precious few historians that make it to that level, and for me, a classroom teacher, to deign to review the work of a historian that has an entire school corporation named for him (in his hometown of Knightstown, Indiana) takes some professional chutzpah on my part. It's the equivalent of a local bar band writing a criticism of the Beatles or a piano student evaluating Chopin.
Well, here's to chutzpah!
On a general level, this is an excellent textbook. Two general themes of the Beards are:
1) economics is a dominant driver of history.
2) America is a story of expanding rights - more groups of people are securing their rights as time goes on.
The book focuses on social issues such as how things were manufactured and societal heirarchy rather than battles, wars and strategies. For example, the Battles of Lexington and Concord (the "Shot heard 'round the world") get four sentences, none describing the battle itself. This makes it rather unique in history textbooks, although most don't dwell on the battles for long, they do mention tactics, changes the war brought to technology, etc.
The book is well-written. It has two authors and does not suffer from the stifling over-editing of most modern history texts that render them sterile, dry and boring.
Some commentary based on notes I took while reading: ...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
Well, here's to chutzpah!
On a general level, this is an excellent textbook. Two general themes of the Beards are:
1) economics is a dominant driver of history.
2) America is a story of expanding rights - more groups of people are securing their rights as time goes on.
The book focuses on social issues such as how things were manufactured and societal heirarchy rather than battles, wars and strategies. For example, the Battles of Lexington and Concord (the "Shot heard 'round the world") get four sentences, none describing the battle itself. This makes it rather unique in history textbooks, although most don't dwell on the battles for long, they do mention tactics, changes the war brought to technology, etc.
The book is well-written. It has two authors and does not suffer from the stifling over-editing of most modern history texts that render them sterile, dry and boring.
Some commentary based on notes I took while reading: ...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
September 30, 2023
In depth treatment of US history through the early 1920's, when this work was published. While the post 1900 chapters show a political preference (Wilson), it is well written with good references.
The authors (Dr & Mrs Beard) focused on subjects within a time frame so that the reader can examine most decades multiple times from different perspectives. This is a refreshing take on the sometimes boring subject of history.
I read this book with the intention of getting a glimpse into history the way my grandparents or their grandparents might have learned about history, and was well rewarded.
The authors (Dr & Mrs Beard) focused on subjects within a time frame so that the reader can examine most decades multiple times from different perspectives. This is a refreshing take on the sometimes boring subject of history.
I read this book with the intention of getting a glimpse into history the way my grandparents or their grandparents might have learned about history, and was well rewarded.
February 14, 2020
OMG. I totally didn't pay attention in school. Asked my daughter if she knew the meaning of indentured servitude. (I was well prepared to explain). But she immediately said "immigrants that traveled overseas and used their labor instead of money to travel to America" who doesn't know that she said. 8th grade! Great book.
May 13, 2018
This is a great read.
Perfect read for brushing up on the history of our country. Since this book is free the deal is even sweeter. I believe citizen and even non citizen would benefit from reading this book. The only negative is that it ends at the conclusion of WWI.
Perfect read for brushing up on the history of our country. Since this book is free the deal is even sweeter. I believe citizen and even non citizen would benefit from reading this book. The only negative is that it ends at the conclusion of WWI.
May 6, 2024
School Days.
When I was a kid in school. History was my least favorite topic. School ruined how exciting and fun history can be. Memorizing a bunch of dates and a headline, leaving out the amazing stories. This book is great. It puts dates, events and explanation of those events in an easy to understand order. I'm so glad I didn't pass up this book and the experience.
When I was a kid in school. History was my least favorite topic. School ruined how exciting and fun history can be. Memorizing a bunch of dates and a headline, leaving out the amazing stories. This book is great. It puts dates, events and explanation of those events in an easy to understand order. I'm so glad I didn't pass up this book and the experience.
Read
November 4, 2019Good Refresher for 1607 - 1920
A high school level book released shortly after the 1920 election, this is an easy and interesting read on American history. Free on Amazon, you will get survey level coverage that can refresh your knowledge of the United States' first 400 years.
A high school level book released shortly after the 1920 election, this is an easy and interesting read on American history. Free on Amazon, you will get survey level coverage that can refresh your knowledge of the United States' first 400 years.
September 1, 2020
Written in 1921ish. Just snapshots of various themes throughout American history.
September 20, 2020
Probably one of the more accessible and deeper overviews of the beginning of the American government.
August 31, 2019
I downloaded this as an eBook from Amazon Kindle a couple of years ago when I received my first (and only) tablet. This is the first history textbook I have read for non-academic purposes, and it was phenomenal.
I really liked Charles A. Beard's narrative in this book. I was able to learn some new things about the history of the United States, as it was dictated to tell the story of America. From the colonization of the Americas to post-World War I, Beard gives us a narrative that focuses on the domestic policies of America from Jamestown and Plymouth Rock to the election of President Warren G. Harding in 1920.
Charles Beard presents a complimentary history of the United States. He refrained from criticizing (most) occurrences, and offered praise on certain details. For instance, I had no idea that President Abraham Lincoln suspended the right of habeas corpus during the Civil War, and how that effected many of those who were critical of the Union going to war against the Confederacy. I did notice that Beard was critical of the movements of communism/socialism, and their repeated failures. I greatly disagreed with most of Theodore Roosevelt's presidential administration and his domestic policies, but I liked the fact that he enforced the Monroe Doctrine. I was much more critical of Woodrow Wilson, however, and his pacifist approach towards the Central Powers during World War I.
This is the first history book I have read that went into the years after 1877. Most of the studies I've approached in American history during my time in college have been more focused on 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries in the United States. I haven't been able to spend much time in college reading about the 20th Century. Somebody might wonder why. Why, indeed? I'm a genealogist, and I look out for books that are relevant to genealogical research as it applies prior to AD 1900. That's what professionally credentialed family historians/genealogists are expected to do when applying to become professionals. I find books like this helpful for me, when my goal is to better understand history in different perspectives, and therefore give new angles into reading about history, and how that might have effected the lives of people I spend time researching. Reading history provides another method to understanding our ancestors.
I really liked Charles A. Beard's narrative in this book. I was able to learn some new things about the history of the United States, as it was dictated to tell the story of America. From the colonization of the Americas to post-World War I, Beard gives us a narrative that focuses on the domestic policies of America from Jamestown and Plymouth Rock to the election of President Warren G. Harding in 1920.
Charles Beard presents a complimentary history of the United States. He refrained from criticizing (most) occurrences, and offered praise on certain details. For instance, I had no idea that President Abraham Lincoln suspended the right of habeas corpus during the Civil War, and how that effected many of those who were critical of the Union going to war against the Confederacy. I did notice that Beard was critical of the movements of communism/socialism, and their repeated failures. I greatly disagreed with most of Theodore Roosevelt's presidential administration and his domestic policies, but I liked the fact that he enforced the Monroe Doctrine. I was much more critical of Woodrow Wilson, however, and his pacifist approach towards the Central Powers during World War I.
This is the first history book I have read that went into the years after 1877. Most of the studies I've approached in American history during my time in college have been more focused on 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries in the United States. I haven't been able to spend much time in college reading about the 20th Century. Somebody might wonder why. Why, indeed? I'm a genealogist, and I look out for books that are relevant to genealogical research as it applies prior to AD 1900. That's what professionally credentialed family historians/genealogists are expected to do when applying to become professionals. I find books like this helpful for me, when my goal is to better understand history in different perspectives, and therefore give new angles into reading about history, and how that might have effected the lives of people I spend time researching. Reading history provides another method to understanding our ancestors.
January 2, 2021
Ei oikeastaan mitään pahaa sanottavaa tästä. Teos on kirjoitettu ennen 2. maailmansotaa, joten tarina jää sikäli kesken.
Itselle piirtyi esiin, kuinka meille poliittisesti tulenarat aiheet ovat nimenomaan Yhdysvaltojen historiaa ja heidän traumojaan: yksinvaltiuden kumoaminen / monarkian etominen, sananvapaus, orjuus, kolonialismi, rasismi, naisten oikeudet... Kysymysten painoarvo tulee huomattavan paljon siitä, että maailman vaikutusvaltaisin maa on aikanaan niissä kallistunut jollekin kantille.
Esim. orjuus ja rasismi eivät ole olleet suomalaisille niinkään mikään omakohtainen trauma, mutta niistä tulee pakollisia puheenaiheita, koska Amerikka. Siellä kaikki osavaltiot rakennettiin orjatyövoimalla, mikä tekee siitä trauman koko valtiolle, mutta koska pohjoinen voitti sisällissodan, orjuudesta tuli heille yhtäkkiä no-no. Trauma ei voi kuitenkaan purkautua, koska kaikki myöhempi menestys on rakennettu sen varaan. Voimme varmaankin oppia toisten virheistä, mutta ei suomalaisilla tarvitse olla huono omatunto siitä, mitä emme ole tehneet.
Tästä piirtyy esiin myös länsimaisen historiankirjoituksen kaksinaismoralismi. Yhtä lailla Egyptin, Babylonian, Persian, Kreikan ja Rooman maailmanvallat rakennettiin aikanaan orjatyöllä, mutta niiden saavutuksista kirjoitetaan ihailevaan sävyyn, koska ne osoittautuivat aikanaan vahvimmiksi. Ne voittivat. Onko ihmiskunta nyt jotenkin jalostunut noista ajoista? Ei, vaan pohjoisvaltiot vain voittivat sisällissodan.
Koska Yhdysvallat voitti ensimmäisessä maailmansodassa – siis pystyivät olemaan lähes kokonaan osallistumatta siihen, samalla kun Eurooppa tuhosi itsensä – tuli siitä maailman johtava valtio. YK on ilmaissut länsimaissa viralliset mielipiteet, siksi että juuri Yhdysvallat olivat aloitteellisia sen (Kansainliiton) perustamisessa.
Tämmöistä tulin tuumanneeksi. Pitää kirjoittaa talteen, koska muuten kohta unohtaa mitä tässä oli!
Itselle piirtyi esiin, kuinka meille poliittisesti tulenarat aiheet ovat nimenomaan Yhdysvaltojen historiaa ja heidän traumojaan: yksinvaltiuden kumoaminen / monarkian etominen, sananvapaus, orjuus, kolonialismi, rasismi, naisten oikeudet... Kysymysten painoarvo tulee huomattavan paljon siitä, että maailman vaikutusvaltaisin maa on aikanaan niissä kallistunut jollekin kantille.
Esim. orjuus ja rasismi eivät ole olleet suomalaisille niinkään mikään omakohtainen trauma, mutta niistä tulee pakollisia puheenaiheita, koska Amerikka. Siellä kaikki osavaltiot rakennettiin orjatyövoimalla, mikä tekee siitä trauman koko valtiolle, mutta koska pohjoinen voitti sisällissodan, orjuudesta tuli heille yhtäkkiä no-no. Trauma ei voi kuitenkaan purkautua, koska kaikki myöhempi menestys on rakennettu sen varaan. Voimme varmaankin oppia toisten virheistä, mutta ei suomalaisilla tarvitse olla huono omatunto siitä, mitä emme ole tehneet.
Tästä piirtyy esiin myös länsimaisen historiankirjoituksen kaksinaismoralismi. Yhtä lailla Egyptin, Babylonian, Persian, Kreikan ja Rooman maailmanvallat rakennettiin aikanaan orjatyöllä, mutta niiden saavutuksista kirjoitetaan ihailevaan sävyyn, koska ne osoittautuivat aikanaan vahvimmiksi. Ne voittivat. Onko ihmiskunta nyt jotenkin jalostunut noista ajoista? Ei, vaan pohjoisvaltiot vain voittivat sisällissodan.
Koska Yhdysvallat voitti ensimmäisessä maailmansodassa – siis pystyivät olemaan lähes kokonaan osallistumatta siihen, samalla kun Eurooppa tuhosi itsensä – tuli siitä maailman johtava valtio. YK on ilmaissut länsimaissa viralliset mielipiteet, siksi että juuri Yhdysvallat olivat aloitteellisia sen (Kansainliiton) perustamisessa.
Tämmöistä tulin tuumanneeksi. Pitää kirjoittaa talteen, koska muuten kohta unohtaa mitä tässä oli!
January 24, 2013
This history book is pretty basic but covers U.S. History very thoroughly. I don't recommend it for someone who seriously wants to study the subject.
Beard's theory's of economic greed as the Founding Father's motivation I think are a bit twisted and make me think less of him. Sure, bettering yourself and accumulating more can be thought of as "selfish", but not nearly as selfish as the idol man who lives on the public dole. I think the Founder's had the principles of liberty for all men as their guide. An individual's right to control their property is one of those "unalienable rights" that are essential to liberty.
I do agree with Beard that the U.S. should have a "non-interventionist" policy and that FDR was more responsible for WWII than Germany and Japan. Too bad the other historians of his time didn't have the intelligence, or should I say courage, to see that. As a result, of his honesty, he fell from the graces of the politically-correct academia world.
I haven't read enough of his writings to understand why he did support the U.S. entry into WW1. So much for being a pure "non-interventionist". But I probably won't take the time to find the answer to that question. Too many other things to do.
Beard's theory's of economic greed as the Founding Father's motivation I think are a bit twisted and make me think less of him. Sure, bettering yourself and accumulating more can be thought of as "selfish", but not nearly as selfish as the idol man who lives on the public dole. I think the Founder's had the principles of liberty for all men as their guide. An individual's right to control their property is one of those "unalienable rights" that are essential to liberty.
I do agree with Beard that the U.S. should have a "non-interventionist" policy and that FDR was more responsible for WWII than Germany and Japan. Too bad the other historians of his time didn't have the intelligence, or should I say courage, to see that. As a result, of his honesty, he fell from the graces of the politically-correct academia world.
I haven't read enough of his writings to understand why he did support the U.S. entry into WW1. So much for being a pure "non-interventionist". But I probably won't take the time to find the answer to that question. Too many other things to do.
March 27, 2012
When I first picked up and started to read History of the United States by Charles A. Beard and his wife Mary Ritter Beard (two of the most influential historians of their time) I thought: “Let’s see what my parents had to study in school”. This high school textbook was first published in 1921. I was rather disappointed after reading the introduction as they immediately stated that they would neither mention, wars, battles or any personal biographies as if the student hadn’t already mentally absorbed them in their earlier education, they probably wouldn’t do it now and more astute pupils would have to endure a boring repetition. The wars, battles and peoples of history are the basis of my affinity to the subject. Once I started reading I found it informative and easy to understand. I never-the-less missed the above mentioned elements. The book did a great job, however, in explaining motives for major events in United States history. I don’t think the dry but informative approach would inspire any admirers among the high school students of today. It gives the casual reader a good insight not only to the history of the United States but of the learning and teaching public of ninety years ago.
May 27, 2017
Charles Beard thought that an adequate US History book was needed for high school students. So being a historian he wrote one. It was published in 1921 and ends with the 1920 election. While is was intended to be a high school text it would be a good thing to read for most adults in this county. Beard covered the social and economic develop of the United States from it's colonial beginnings. He did not focus on the details of battles and wars as some histories do. If I was to find a fault it would be the light way he passed over some injustices and discrimination that today we find unacceptable. Though he did give the vote for women and the loss of voting rights for blacks in the South good coverage. Beard's writing about the abuses of power and position by the wealthy in the 19th century sound very contemporary. I am glad I read Beard's HIstory of the United States and I recommend it highly. It can be found for free as an e-book on Gutenberg Project and Amazon.
December 29, 2014
What criteria do you use to review a book like this? It holds up incredibly well for its age. It provides a lot of great context for bigger historical events. It's divided into logical and well researched sections. If you studied US History beyond high school, it's probably not going to be super revelatory, but it's a good refresher. If you're interested in the subject and need a place to start, this book is perfect. Beard is strongest in the early history of the US. I was particularly taken in by his section on the Jacksonian Era which frames a lot of political short-sightedness in an interesting way.
October 25, 2012
This book looks like it was meant to be a textbook to be studied at school, as the end of each chapter has review questions and further topics for research. The kindle edition has an extensive index that links you back to the appropriate portions of the text. It only covers the time period until just after WWI, so now is not just a history book, but of historical interest itself as showing how the people of that time period viewed those historical events.
April 16, 2016
History of the United States
History of the United States by Charles A. Beard and Mary something, was disappointing. There were factual errors and spelling errors. I would cringe every time they misspelled Puerto Rico. This book is also outdated. Don't bother reading this book.
History of the United States by Charles A. Beard and Mary something, was disappointing. There were factual errors and spelling errors. I would cringe every time they misspelled Puerto Rico. This book is also outdated. Don't bother reading this book.
May 30, 2013
A good survey of American history by two of our best historians. Thr Beards are solid on most issues. Though their last chapter is a bit weaker, but the events described in that final chapter were too recent to be viewed historically.
February 12, 2010
Librivox *audio*
October 21, 2014
This has been a really good American History Book. I love their approach on not going into war details and biographies and mainly approaching the impacting factors in the US's History.
March 11, 2018
A good read
Well written and should be read by every student of history. The part
about roosevelts,s policies are worth the price of the book.
Well written and should be read by every student of history. The part
about roosevelts,s policies are worth the price of the book.
March 10, 2015
A great account of US history from the arrival of the Pilgrims through WWI. If you're a US history buff, this book is well worth your time.
November 16, 2019
Reads like a textbook
September 28, 2015
good catch-up on the revolutionary period, causes and political trends
January 13, 2016
The problem is...a lot happens after World War I in America.
April 4, 2016
A little disappointing it only goes until 1920!
October 12, 2025
Learned more from a book published in 1921 than in my US history classes.
April 11, 2017
Does a pretty good job of describing the history of the US from the its founding through the first world war.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews