An Outline of American History

by Frances Whitney, Nathan Glick

The history of the United States from the pre-historic times though the modern times.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Amira Mahmoud · Rating 3 out of 5]

بغض النظر عن الحذف الصارخ لتاريخ إبادة شعب الهنود الحمر أيام المستعمرات، والتطبيل للحروب الأمريكية في فيتنام وكوبا وأفغانستان والفلبيين وغيرهم؛ لأن الكتاب صادر عن جهة أمريكية في الأصل وطبيعي يكون بالصورة دي
لكن في المجمل كانت معلوماته شاملة فترة كبيرة من التاريخ الأمريكي بطريقة سرد كويسة إلى حد ما وفي عدد صفحات قليل جدًا
وده شيء يُحسب له

[Beatrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have spent an entire academic year studying American history and I can say if I had had this little book, some things would’ve gone smoother.

This book is precisely what the title says – an outline. It provides the most basic events: from the colonial period and the War of Independence, to the formation of American nation. Furthermore it explores Westward expansion and regional differences. The Civil War is also covered, as is the era of expansion and reform. And finally we have conflicts abroad and social changes at home – World Wars and the Cold War.

However, I’d like to bring to attention the fact that it’s written from American point of view (of course). For example: in chapter Modern America, sub-chapter South of the U.S. Border it is said how during Kennedy’s presidency the Soviet Union had missile basses in Cuba, which is true. But it is not mentioned how the U.S. also had those same basses in Turkey at the time. Two nations played that dangerous game called the Cold War, just so it’s clear.
Therefore, I missed more global events, what was happening abroad at the time. But for the sake of brevity some things had to be sacrificed.

In conclusion, I’d say all main events are included, the chapters are quite short and it’s easily readable. Overall, this is a nice addition to anyone interested in American history.

[أحمد دعدوش · Rating 2 out of 5]

بروباغاندا سياسية لوزارة الخارجية

[Ahmed Abdellateef · Rating 1 out of 5]

خلاصة الكتاب = كم كانوا ملائكة هؤلاء الأمريكين الأوغاد !!

[Valida Karimova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for my "American History" lesson...
Students loved and got more information from each chapter...
13 chapters and prooved photos did it more readable...

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a concise and simple overview of American history up until Ronald Reagan. Tbh I don’t think I’ll read a book like this again in the future. There is just so much information all simplified in order to put it in a book this short that you in the end do not really learn anything at all other than an abstract view of America’s establishment and its course throughout history.

It did give me some new ideas for future books tho. I’d love to learn more about the civil war and its prominent figures or the lives of well-known presidents including Abraham Lincoln or Washington.

Anyways, the more you know the more you know that you don’t know shit. That’s how it feels diving into a topic with just a couple of books. I got the one on governmental history lined up as well but for now (Christmas / New Year’s) I’ll go chill with some easy low effort story. + I need to finish this challenge got 1 more left.

[Sarout Alharbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

بترجمة فخمه ، هذي هي الرواية الرسمية للتاريخ الأمريكي ، والذي يعيبها اللغو في التفاصيل الاقتصادية والجزئيات القانونية مع غياب تام لنص الدستور الذي بُنيت عليه الأُمة الفتية. إضافة لذلك ، الموقف الضبابي لأكثر مسألة حساسة في الوجدان الأمريكي: الحرب الأهلية. حيث حاولت الرواية التوفيق بين أصل النزاع وهو تحرير العبيد ، وبين سردية الولايات الجنوبية أو الكنفدرالية وهي (القضية الخاسرة The Lost Casue) والغريب كل الغرابة هو الصمت التام في تاريخ الستينات عن أي ذكر لمارتن لوثر كينغ! شيء عجيب والله. عموما هذا الكتاب لم يشفي غليلي ، ولم يشبع رغبتي في معرفة المزيد والمزيد عن التاريخ الأمريكي ، ولعل الخير كل الخير هو أن تُثنى الصورة التاريخية للرواية الرسمية بسردية مضادة تتبنى الرواية الشعبية ، والذي دبجّها الكاتب الفذ هوارد زين في تحفته «التاريخ الشعبي للولايات المتحدة».

[Nude Literária · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It's very thorough when it comes to foreign affairs, economic matters, lacking in substance about post-constitution social order per se. My initial interest was more on (pre) colonial times and how the constitution and the idea of democracy came to be, at least in the US. This book was very key in naming the persons, further readings and how the social structure of the US was woven in the beginning, so it's easier for us (or for me) to realize what is today.

It becomes very dense by the second half of the 1800s, I guess taking more than half of the book. I stayed because it's interesting after all but I feel it puts too much emphasis on the economic and domestic political events of the country, instead of how things happened and how it's connected to the outside world. For example, it's just explained that "the US didn't like communism. The Soviet Union was communist. The two countries didn't like each other. There was tension. It's called the Cold War. Next." haha and the social movements were also just glossed over, like "there was a feminist wave, and they protested and acquired the right to vote". Replace feminist wave by black awakening, or the like.

All in all, a very good read to non-native Americans like me, to have a better grasp than what's told in schools.

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book about history of USA, it is nothing spectacular but who wants to know what is America, and why is that country important should read this book. Some informations are very good, some informations not so, some are skiped alltogether. Not for everybody, some will find it boring but it will find its readers.

[Mohammed Sabah · Rating 3 out of 5]

مختصر مع لغة بسيطة لكنه يبين الوجه الجميل لأمريكا ويغطي معظم تدخلاتها في دول العالم وماجلبته من مصائب على تلك الدول

[Najibah Bakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sejarah Amerika Syarikat dari era penghijrahan rakyat British yang mengasaskan New England hingga era pemerintahan Presiden Ronald Reagen.

Objektif utama membaca buku ini adalah kerana dalam kerja-kerja menterjemah dan menyunting, juga membaca buku-buku sampingan, sering ada rujukan dibuat tentang sejarah Amerika Syarikat – dan hal ini mengganggu apabila meninggalkan kesan kurang faham perjalanan sejarah.

Banyak maklumat baharu yang dapat membentuk kerangka fikir tentang sejarah Amerika diperoleh daripada buku ini. Tambah menarik apabila menemukan beberapa jawapan tentang persoalan lain yang bermain dalam minda sebelum ini, salah satunya 'Bagaimana era Wild Wild West yang satu masa dulu wujud di Amerika berakhir?' dan 'Pertelingkahan tentang perhambaan yang membawa kepada Perang Saudara antara Union dan Confederate, tetapi bagaimana hal itu berlaku?' serta 'Bagaimanakah sistem perhambaan dihapuskan di seluruh Amerika?'

Gembira berjaya menamatkan buku ini selepas hampir tiga bulan membacanya berselang-seli dengan buku-buku lain.

[Yana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accidentally found this book on one of my bookshelves, and I realized how long ago I was thinking about getting myself familiarized with the history of the United States, a country which amazes me in many ways. So far so good - this seems to be a textbook of sorts, so it reads easily and sticks to the facts (so far, and I hope the facts are accurate and nothing major is omitted). I had no idea I would ever be interested in reading a book about history. I guess people change!

[Anand Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now know far more about American history than I do Canadian history.

[Steffi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does exactly what it's supposed to do. Quick, informative read.