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The American Pageant: A History of the Republic
Supported by colorful anecdotes, first-person quotations, and its trademark wit, The American Pageant is one of the most readable, popular, and effective American history textbooks available. The text's original author, Thomas Bailey, first created the text's distinctive character, which has been preserved by current co-authors David Kennedy and Lizabeth Cohen.
pPedagogy includes chapter-ending chronologies, numerous interesting quotes from historical figures, and incisive part openers that contextualize six major periods in American history. The Appendix includes "Suggested Readings" for every chapter, an annotated Constitution of the United States with page references, and an extensive statistical profile of the United States.
pNew! The "Examining the Evidence" feature introduces students to the analysis of primary sources by presenting a photograph, artifact, or brief document and prompting students to examine the materials and draw their own conclusions.
pNew! The authors have combined Chapters 13 and 14 and Chapters 24 and 28 from the previous edition, reducing the total number of chapters to 42. The reorganization provides tighter chronology and thematic re-working of material on the antebellum and Gilded Age/Progressive Era periods.
pNew! The new edition contains increased coverage of immigration, women's political participation, the environmental movement, American Indians, and western history. Throughout the text, social trends and events are more thoroughly integrated into the political narrative.
p"Varying Viewpoints" features examine the scholarly debates surrounding major historical issues, encouraging students to think critically about ways historians disagree.
p"Makers of America" essays focus on the diverse ethnic, racial, and activist groups that compose America's pluralistic society. They have been revised to include topics such as the New Wave feminists and environmentalists.
pPedagogy includes chapter-ending chronologies, numerous interesting quotes from historical figures, and incisive part openers that contextualize six major periods in American history. The Appendix includes "Suggested Readings" for every chapter, an annotated Constitution of the United States with page references, and an extensive statistical profile of the United States.
pNew! The "Examining the Evidence" feature introduces students to the analysis of primary sources by presenting a photograph, artifact, or brief document and prompting students to examine the materials and draw their own conclusions.
pNew! The authors have combined Chapters 13 and 14 and Chapters 24 and 28 from the previous edition, reducing the total number of chapters to 42. The reorganization provides tighter chronology and thematic re-working of material on the antebellum and Gilded Age/Progressive Era periods.
pNew! The new edition contains increased coverage of immigration, women's political participation, the environmental movement, American Indians, and western history. Throughout the text, social trends and events are more thoroughly integrated into the political narrative.
p"Varying Viewpoints" features examine the scholarly debates surrounding major historical issues, encouraging students to think critically about ways historians disagree.
p"Makers of America" essays focus on the diverse ethnic, racial, and activist groups that compose America's pluralistic society. They have been revised to include topics such as the New Wave feminists and environmentalists.
1034 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1956
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 21, 2009
Thoughts of this book arouse many memories in me: History Jeopardy, DBQ's, much sarcasm, a ton of multiple choice questions, invasions "failing because they did not succeed," totally B.S.'d fill-in-the-blank answers written by the Sweetest classmate we've ever had, switching seats and impersonating each other, and hundreds of other memories and inside jokes that I did not write into this paragraph.
Although I have many fond memories from AP American History, I do not, repeat, do NOT like this book. It is written in a very long-winded style with emphasis on worthless random facts rather than the important concepts. Who cares if John Adams was the apprentice to a corset maker? When reading it, I found myself growing frustrated with the authors' arrogance. The authors also did not seem to be able to keep their harsh, blunt opinions out of their writing. Don't even get me started on the workbook that came with it.
At the end of my sophomore year, I went to HOBY, a leadership conference at the University of Findlay. One of the guys I met was also taking AP American History and happened to use the same book. We had a great time complaining about it and making fun of it over dinner the first day. His opinion of the book mirrors mine.
I will never, ever forget the great times we had in AP American History. Many of our workbooks are now ashes, but the memories of sixth period in 2007-2008 school year will last forever. Thanks guys.
Although I have many fond memories from AP American History, I do not, repeat, do NOT like this book. It is written in a very long-winded style with emphasis on worthless random facts rather than the important concepts. Who cares if John Adams was the apprentice to a corset maker? When reading it, I found myself growing frustrated with the authors' arrogance. The authors also did not seem to be able to keep their harsh, blunt opinions out of their writing. Don't even get me started on the workbook that came with it.
At the end of my sophomore year, I went to HOBY, a leadership conference at the University of Findlay. One of the guys I met was also taking AP American History and happened to use the same book. We had a great time complaining about it and making fun of it over dinner the first day. His opinion of the book mirrors mine.
I will never, ever forget the great times we had in AP American History. Many of our workbooks are now ashes, but the memories of sixth period in 2007-2008 school year will last forever. Thanks guys.
May 14, 2017
Wow... I really fucking hated this book. The class was fun. But reading this damn thing had me contemplating suicide--many times. But I finally finished it. Although I do hate this book with my entire being, it was at times very amusing. Especially when they kept using the word 'orgy.' Like, this is a history textbook. How many times are you supposed to say 'orgy' in a history textbook? I'll give you a hint: 0. But whatever. Here are the quotes I found very amusing (after I got to page 500, I had to start writing them down [with the page number] cause I knew if I wanted to show how sexual this book was, I would need specific facts. I mean, I took APUSH for a whole year--that's the one thing I learned you always needed to support and win your argument: facts):
(121)- 'The removal of the French menace in Canada profoundly affected American attitudes. While the French hawk had been hovering in the North and West, the colonial chicks had been forced to cling close to the wings of their British mother hen. Now that the hawk was killed, they could range far afield with a new spirit of independence.'
(277) - 'To conservatives this orgy seemed like the end of the world.'
(498) - 'But there can be no doubt that the discipline of his army at times broke down, as roving riffraff (Sherman's "bummers") engaged in an orgy of pillaging.'
(575)- 'The metallic fingers of the railroads intimately touched countless phases of American life.'
(586) - 'The sweat of the laborer lubricated the vast new industrial machine.'
(623) - 'By 1913, said one popular magazine, the chimes had struck "sex o'clock in America."'
(662) - 'Vachel Lindsay caught the spirit of his oratorical orgy: "Prairie avenger, mountain lion, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan..."'
(688) - 'Like vultures descending upon a wounded animal, they began to tear away valuable leaseholds and economic spheres of influence from the Manchu government. A growing group of Americans viewed the vivisection of China with alarm.'
(738) - 'America felt strong, snug, smug, and secure--but not for long.'
(773) - 'Decent people at last recoiled from the orgy of ribboned flesh and terrorism, while scandalous embezzling by Klan officials launched a congressional investigation.'
(794) - 'Speculation ran wild, and an orgy of boom-or-bust trading pushed the market up to dizzy peaks.'
(813) - 'Foreign investors and wary domestic speculators began to dump their "insecurities," and an orgy of selling followed.'
(860) - 'It was like giving a cannibal a finger in the hope of saving an arm.'
(885) - 'The hand of government touched more American lives more intimately during the war than ever before.'
(939) - 'But MacArthur pooh-poohed all predictions of an effective intervention by the Chinese and reportedly boasted that he would "have the boys home by Christmas."'
(947) - 'With his fleshy face, pouting lips, and antic, sexually suggestive gyrations, Elvis Presley became the high priest of rock'n'roll in the 1950s, to the chagrin of parents everywhere.'
(973) - 'A journalist called Kennedy "the most seductive man I've ever met."'
(974) - '"My father always told me that all businessmen were sons of bitches," he said, "but I never believed him till now."'
(982) - 'Franklin D. Roosevelt was his political "Daddy," Johnson claimed, and he had supported New Deal measures down the line.'
(990) - 'This outrage triggered a nationwide orgy of ghetto-gutting and violence that cost over forty lives.'
(121)- 'The removal of the French menace in Canada profoundly affected American attitudes. While the French hawk had been hovering in the North and West, the colonial chicks had been forced to cling close to the wings of their British mother hen. Now that the hawk was killed, they could range far afield with a new spirit of independence.'
(277) - 'To conservatives this orgy seemed like the end of the world.'
(498) - 'But there can be no doubt that the discipline of his army at times broke down, as roving riffraff (Sherman's "bummers") engaged in an orgy of pillaging.'
(575)- 'The metallic fingers of the railroads intimately touched countless phases of American life.'
(586) - 'The sweat of the laborer lubricated the vast new industrial machine.'
(623) - 'By 1913, said one popular magazine, the chimes had struck "sex o'clock in America."'
(662) - 'Vachel Lindsay caught the spirit of his oratorical orgy: "Prairie avenger, mountain lion, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan..."'
(688) - 'Like vultures descending upon a wounded animal, they began to tear away valuable leaseholds and economic spheres of influence from the Manchu government. A growing group of Americans viewed the vivisection of China with alarm.'
(738) - 'America felt strong, snug, smug, and secure--but not for long.'
(773) - 'Decent people at last recoiled from the orgy of ribboned flesh and terrorism, while scandalous embezzling by Klan officials launched a congressional investigation.'
(794) - 'Speculation ran wild, and an orgy of boom-or-bust trading pushed the market up to dizzy peaks.'
(813) - 'Foreign investors and wary domestic speculators began to dump their "insecurities," and an orgy of selling followed.'
(860) - 'It was like giving a cannibal a finger in the hope of saving an arm.'
(885) - 'The hand of government touched more American lives more intimately during the war than ever before.'
(939) - 'But MacArthur pooh-poohed all predictions of an effective intervention by the Chinese and reportedly boasted that he would "have the boys home by Christmas."'
(947) - 'With his fleshy face, pouting lips, and antic, sexually suggestive gyrations, Elvis Presley became the high priest of rock'n'roll in the 1950s, to the chagrin of parents everywhere.'
(973) - 'A journalist called Kennedy "the most seductive man I've ever met."'
(974) - '"My father always told me that all businessmen were sons of bitches," he said, "but I never believed him till now."'
(982) - 'Franklin D. Roosevelt was his political "Daddy," Johnson claimed, and he had supported New Deal measures down the line.'
(990) - 'This outrage triggered a nationwide orgy of ghetto-gutting and violence that cost over forty lives.'
October 3, 2007
Well this is a typical, conservative, history book meant to shield college and high school students from true American history.
Instead, read A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. You will find it significantly more impacting, and more historically accurate.
Instead, read A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. You will find it significantly more impacting, and more historically accurate.
April 22, 2025
➵ 5 stars
i am not giving this book five stars. i am giving myself 5 stars for reading it. 42 chapters of god knows what later ,i know too much about this country. i could tell u how many freckles gerald ford had. however if i fail the apush exam i will be changing my rating to 0 stars.
also whoever wrote this had wayyy too much fun with the double entendres. imagine crying reading this at 2am and its calling FDR daddy??? i don’t have to imagine bc i experienced it
only complaint is that the ending was kinda predictable 🫣
pls pls pls i need a 5
i am not giving this book five stars. i am giving myself 5 stars for reading it. 42 chapters of god knows what later ,i know too much about this country. i could tell u how many freckles gerald ford had. however if i fail the apush exam i will be changing my rating to 0 stars.
also whoever wrote this had wayyy too much fun with the double entendres. imagine crying reading this at 2am and its calling FDR daddy??? i don’t have to imagine bc i experienced it
only complaint is that the ending was kinda predictable 🫣
pls pls pls i need a 5
April 15, 2015
Never thought I could love a textbook so much. It's informative, humorous, and detectably liberal. Basically the perfect boyfriend in book form.
July 9, 2018
it was a fun read and quite enjoyable honestly (especially in the beginning of the school year). however, I could not help to think that the authors were writing to entertain rather than to teach. it seemed as if the writer had simply forgotten that their primary purpose was to textbook not a storybook. often they provided unnecessarily long-winded detailed descriptions, vocabulary that enhanced the story but inhibited the learning for me, metaphors, and symbolism and run on sentences with commas, and commas, and commas quite like this one. notes were difficult to take since I like mine succinct and brief. I had to filter through the random yet entertaining details that the book provides. I'm quite conflicted on whether or not this actually helps students take the AP test. for those who are, I recommend reading this in accompaniment with Barron's or AP Notes to supplement as well as summarize your reading. did end up getting a 5 on the AP, but I did not read the last ten or so chapter because the pace was too slow-- I couldn't be reading about the late 1990s to early 2000s the week before the test.
chapter 17: very much enjoying the *colorful* descriptions of the nuptials between U.S. and the Texas bride...
chapter 22: this chapter on reconstruction is horribly organized and jumps around so much so that I can barely take notes :( however, the civil war chapters were very good
chapter 23-24: it's finally getting gooood. loved this chapter in history as well as in the book. I suppose that this book is amazing if you have prior background knowledge or interest in the topic. I take AP macroeconomics as well and really understand the economics explained but some of my friends had a difficult time in doing so. the gilded age is SO under appreciated. the turn of the century is def one of my favorite parts of American history.
chapter 17: very much enjoying the *colorful* descriptions of the nuptials between U.S. and the Texas bride...
chapter 22: this chapter on reconstruction is horribly organized and jumps around so much so that I can barely take notes :( however, the civil war chapters were very good
chapter 23-24: it's finally getting gooood. loved this chapter in history as well as in the book. I suppose that this book is amazing if you have prior background knowledge or interest in the topic. I take AP macroeconomics as well and really understand the economics explained but some of my friends had a difficult time in doing so. the gilded age is SO under appreciated. the turn of the century is def one of my favorite parts of American history.
July 11, 2010
To be honest, I have no real love for American History. I generally find it dry and possessing far too much propaganda.
However, if you have to read an American history book, read this one. The authors do their best to make everyone completely accessible. They also endeavor to make the book as interesting to read as possible, and unlike many historians, employ the use of humor to tell the story.
However, if you have to read an American history book, read this one. The authors do their best to make everyone completely accessible. They also endeavor to make the book as interesting to read as possible, and unlike many historians, employ the use of humor to tell the story.
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May 18, 2019pretty much the only memory associated with this textbook is when i went to return it on the morning of the test and my apush teacher, for the first time, said i was smart and affirmed that i, in fact, will get a 5. so this is now my favorite book.
July 4, 2007
Is it really one-star bad? No, probably not. But this was the textbook in Mr. Silvey's AP American history class, so I reserve a special hatred for it.
January 1, 2009
Come on. Who didn't want to start rereading this book when they got to the end? And who would have predicted the ending?
May 8, 2010
Ummm... I don't know what to say. Definitely a unique book. Yes, that's the appropriate word, I think. ;)
May 26, 2013
I seriously lost count on how many times I fell asleep with my head on the book. Thank god two years are over and I can finally put this book away..
March 24, 2017
APUSH destroyed me as a human being
October 9, 2020
I hate this textbook with a passion.
August 19, 2018
Just reread this cover to cover and it unearthed so many fond memories back to when I was in school and learning both histories of America and France, which are intrinsically linked. Especially in the early stages of the republic. A bit long but then again one cannot recount the history of a country in two pages. Real good stuff for history buffs!
April 9, 2019
Well I finally did it. Somewhere in the cold war i may have missed a few pages but i really did it. All 1007 pages. I read and took notes on them. YAY!!!! It was very long but very informative. It wasn't too dry either, and I learned a lot. Overall a great book to read for APUSH
June 19, 2024
I think whoever wrote this textbook is in love with Alexander Hamilton.
August 10, 2017
So how did I come by this book when I'm in my mid-twenties? I picked it up at a Catholic charity. It was free and I enjoy reading about history. I am American, after all. It took me about 4 months to finish. I didn't find it biased, but I thought there was quite a bit of sarcasm. I don't know if anyone else noticed. I liked the pros-and-cons way of describing key Americans. It is more realistic. To be honest, I believe multiple subjects could have been more in depth. It was still worth reading just to freshen up on American history. Of course, it can only help so much when the eleventh edition was published in 1998.
August 11, 2014
A textbook that is filled with occasional puns, sarcasm, and memorable quotes, never fail to deliver. The authors' method of trying to make everything seem connected and part of a story made it even more interesting.
I always found something interesting in each "part" of history. I was afraid that when Jefferson and Hamilton's battle would end, there would be no more memorable "characters" to keep the "story" interesting. But then came Henry Clay with his expertise of making compromises,the early feminists with their liberal ideas, Roosevelt and Wilson with their progressivism, FDR with his New Deal, and Lyndon B. Johnson with his idea of a Great Society. It has contributed tremendously to shape my political views and made me understand and appreciate history as I have never done before. Now it is easier to see today's events in a historical context.
A fantastic book and a great way to study for the AP test.
Memorable quotes:
"I was fourteen when I learned that 'damnyankees' were two words" -- a Southerner born close to the time of the Civil War.
"To hell with the Yankees! Damnit, I mean the Spaniards" -- an ex-Confederate army personnel during the Spanish American war.
"Judge Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it" -- Andrew Jackson regarding Marshall's decision about the Indian Removal Act.
"In your heart, you know he's right" -- Goldwater's slogan for the presidential election of 1964.
"In your guts, you know he's nuts" -- Democratic parody.
"In your heart, he's too far right" --not in the book but I thought it's hilarious.
I always found something interesting in each "part" of history. I was afraid that when Jefferson and Hamilton's battle would end, there would be no more memorable "characters" to keep the "story" interesting. But then came Henry Clay with his expertise of making compromises,the early feminists with their liberal ideas, Roosevelt and Wilson with their progressivism, FDR with his New Deal, and Lyndon B. Johnson with his idea of a Great Society. It has contributed tremendously to shape my political views and made me understand and appreciate history as I have never done before. Now it is easier to see today's events in a historical context.
A fantastic book and a great way to study for the AP test.
Memorable quotes:
"I was fourteen when I learned that 'damnyankees' were two words" -- a Southerner born close to the time of the Civil War.
"To hell with the Yankees! Damnit, I mean the Spaniards" -- an ex-Confederate army personnel during the Spanish American war.
"Judge Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it" -- Andrew Jackson regarding Marshall's decision about the Indian Removal Act.
"In your heart, you know he's right" -- Goldwater's slogan for the presidential election of 1964.
"In your guts, you know he's nuts" -- Democratic parody.
"In your heart, he's too far right" --not in the book but I thought it's hilarious.
July 12, 2016
3.5 stars
This was a good overall presentation of American history. At times it was a bit too political, at others a bit too cultural. It needed to find a proper balance.
The history was fairly white-washed and male-dominated at times. I feel like there could have been more about the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement than there was. There also could have been more about Native Americans both in the beginning and throughout the history. The presentation of the women's rights movement was fine, but there could have been more little nuggets of famous women all throughout American history.
I liked the language of the text, but at times it was a bit too elaborate. Just say the history!
The textbook prepared me well for the AP exam :)
This was a good overall presentation of American history. At times it was a bit too political, at others a bit too cultural. It needed to find a proper balance.
The history was fairly white-washed and male-dominated at times. I feel like there could have been more about the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement than there was. There also could have been more about Native Americans both in the beginning and throughout the history. The presentation of the women's rights movement was fine, but there could have been more little nuggets of famous women all throughout American history.
I liked the language of the text, but at times it was a bit too elaborate. Just say the history!
The textbook prepared me well for the AP exam :)
August 24, 2012
As a high school student and an avid history fanatic, I can honestly promulgate that this is one of the best textbooks ever written on American history. Looking back, the book covered mostly every single significant topic in history and even analyzed the lesser events. Kennedy and Bailey do a great job with this textbook and hopefully I have a chance to meet both of these stellar individuals. Moving along, the book could get tedious at times, but that was probably because of my assignments. It prepared me very well for the Advanced Placement United States History exam and should be a staple in every United States history class.
February 7, 2016
This was the American history textbook employed by Mr. Ellenberger at Maine Township High School South in Park Ridge, Illinois for its junior year A.P. course on the subject. A good choice, a remarkable choice given the reactionary character of the department head, The American Pageant was readable, entertaining and educational.
Interestingly, many of my younger friends, persons in their twenties and thirties, also used editions of this book.
Interestingly, many of my younger friends, persons in their twenties and thirties, also used editions of this book.
November 2, 2021
Horrible. Trash. Useless. If I could rate this -10 stars I would. Makes no sense, language is too advanced for a high school student and makes the reading confusing. Get to the point! Biased and too much rambling. DON'T BUY THIS BOOK BURN IT IN HELL!!!!!!!!!
July 7, 2008
Ugh. Too flowery, too sarcastic. Just tell the damn story.
May 11, 2010
I'm reading this textbook for school. I didn't realize my textbooks were on this site. LOL
July 1, 2015
well it's over with.
May 1, 2021
I don't normally rate textbooks but I hate the language in here
March 31, 2022
HATED THIS THING IM COUNTING IT FOR MY GR GOAL BECAUSE I HAD TO READ IT FRONT TO BACK! THE UNNECESSARY METAPHORS THE DUMB CHAPTER TITLES AND FLOWERY SENTENCES! HATED IT ALL!
September 29, 2024
It's at least readable. Paints a picture of a story we all know so well. Sometimes the author seems to commiserate with the revisionist story of the great Native Americans whose numbers swelled to 54 million at the time of Columbus (p 6), but whose numbers plunged "in the fateful year 1492, probably no more than 4 million Native Americans padded through the whispering, primeval forests and paddled across the sparkling, virgin waters of North America" (p 10). Somehow in 5 pages and in the same year, there was a mass migration of 50 million down to South American. Are the authors playing the shell game on readers?
Also, on the same train of thought:
"unlike the Europeans, who would soon arrive with the presumption that humans had dominion over the earth and with the technologies to alter the very face of the land, the Native Americans had neither the desire nor the means to manipulate nature aggressively. They revered the physical world and endowed nature with spiritual properties. Yet they did sometimes ignite mas- sive forest fires, deliberately torching thousands of acres of trees to create better hunting habitats, especially for deer."
though we might wonder where did all those mastodons, giant sloths, etc, head off (the cliffs) to.
And since I'm being critical of the authors' inconsistencies, the Natives had no desire or ability to alter nature, but on page 8 we are treated to an "artist’s rendering of Cahokia, based on archaeological excavations, shows the huge central square and the imposing Monk’s Mound, which rivaled in size the pyramids of Egypt." That they "revered the physical world and endowed blah blah blah..." sounds insidiously similar to the aforementioned Egyptians, or the Celtic druids, or the Japanese Shinto or Chinese Taoists, or the Australian Aborigines. Only ones it doesn't sound like are the blessed descendants of Sir Francis Bacon and others who stymied superstition / nature worship.
I don't know. Are the wicked Europeans to blame for the ills of the world, or should we try to blame the Natives, or the Africans, or those frisky Arabs or Irish or ... humans. Don't stop there, blame the fallen angels and Nephilim while we're at it, that might make history insanely interesting and maybe more accurate.
I haven't gotten past this most fascinating pericope, but I shall endeavor to do so sooner than later.
Also, on the same train of thought:
"unlike the Europeans, who would soon arrive with the presumption that humans had dominion over the earth and with the technologies to alter the very face of the land, the Native Americans had neither the desire nor the means to manipulate nature aggressively. They revered the physical world and endowed nature with spiritual properties. Yet they did sometimes ignite mas- sive forest fires, deliberately torching thousands of acres of trees to create better hunting habitats, especially for deer."
though we might wonder where did all those mastodons, giant sloths, etc, head off (the cliffs) to.
And since I'm being critical of the authors' inconsistencies, the Natives had no desire or ability to alter nature, but on page 8 we are treated to an "artist’s rendering of Cahokia, based on archaeological excavations, shows the huge central square and the imposing Monk’s Mound, which rivaled in size the pyramids of Egypt." That they "revered the physical world and endowed blah blah blah..." sounds insidiously similar to the aforementioned Egyptians, or the Celtic druids, or the Japanese Shinto or Chinese Taoists, or the Australian Aborigines. Only ones it doesn't sound like are the blessed descendants of Sir Francis Bacon and others who stymied superstition / nature worship.
I don't know. Are the wicked Europeans to blame for the ills of the world, or should we try to blame the Natives, or the Africans, or those frisky Arabs or Irish or ... humans. Don't stop there, blame the fallen angels and Nephilim while we're at it, that might make history insanely interesting and maybe more accurate.
I haven't gotten past this most fascinating pericope, but I shall endeavor to do so sooner than later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews