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A History for Peter #2
America Grows Up: A History for Peter
This is the second book of three in the History for Peter series by Gerald White Johnson, written especially to Peter van den Honert.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
7 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Gerald W. Johnson
57 books3 followersGerald White Johnson, often credited as Gerald W. Johnson, was a journalist, historian, and an advocate of liberal causes. He wrote many nonfiction books on history, biography, and commentary on American politics and culture.
Johnson was an editorial writer for the Baltimore Sunpupers from 1926 to 1943, and a contributing editor of the New Republic from 1954 until his death in 1980.
Johnson was an editorial writer for the Baltimore Sunpupers from 1926 to 1943, and a contributing editor of the New Republic from 1954 until his death in 1980.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 7, 2015
I thought that this book was politically charged.
Woodrow Wilson was given more praise than Abraham Lincoln - a lot more praise.
The author said that every President between Lincoln and T. Roosevelt was worthless. But he kept saying 'except Grover Cleveland' again and again. Turns out that Grover Cleveland was the only Democrat during that time period. Then he goes and praises the fact that people now (by now he was living in 1960) paid 90% taxes on all the money they made above $300,000. Because no one really earns that much money - the country made it for them, so they need to give it back to the country. Goodness, it made me feel a little sick how much he was trying to make it 'only natural and American' to believe the way he did.
Also, the author implies that England stopped Napoleon single-handed. No mention of Russia's help whatsoever. I find it quite ironic.
And true to his character, the author offers a ton of opinions as fact with no basis whatsoever. He said that President Taft wasn't purposely trying to hurt the country but that he was just stupid. He also called a few more people ugly.
And though he admitted that many states have segregation laws (again, this was written in 1960), he seemed to think that it was about as good as it really needed to get, so he didn't worry about that any more.
Summary: The author is a racist left-winger who believes that everyone should think like he does and that his opinions should be regarded as matter-of-fact truths.
Woodrow Wilson was given more praise than Abraham Lincoln - a lot more praise.
The author said that every President between Lincoln and T. Roosevelt was worthless. But he kept saying 'except Grover Cleveland' again and again. Turns out that Grover Cleveland was the only Democrat during that time period. Then he goes and praises the fact that people now (by now he was living in 1960) paid 90% taxes on all the money they made above $300,000. Because no one really earns that much money - the country made it for them, so they need to give it back to the country. Goodness, it made me feel a little sick how much he was trying to make it 'only natural and American' to believe the way he did.
Also, the author implies that England stopped Napoleon single-handed. No mention of Russia's help whatsoever. I find it quite ironic.
And true to his character, the author offers a ton of opinions as fact with no basis whatsoever. He said that President Taft wasn't purposely trying to hurt the country but that he was just stupid. He also called a few more people ugly.
And though he admitted that many states have segregation laws (again, this was written in 1960), he seemed to think that it was about as good as it really needed to get, so he didn't worry about that any more.
Summary: The author is a racist left-winger who believes that everyone should think like he does and that his opinions should be regarded as matter-of-fact truths.
Displaying 1 of 1 review