A Basic History of the United States, Vol. 1: The Colonial Experience, 1607-1774

A Basic History Of The United States #1

by Clarence B. Carson

. This first volume covers how the colonies grew, the force of religion in early America, and the oppression felt by the colonists.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Audiobook

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Jenje · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read most of this series as a quick US History refresher. I was a bit disappointed by how slanted it was toward the libertarian paradigm. Not to say that the viewpoint or the facts which he presents aren't valid, but this series is best for those who wish to reinforce or to better understand the libertarian philosophy. While it isn't as apparent in this first book, it becomes more prominent as the series continues. While I didn't like the series, I cannot give anything which I learned something new less than three stars.

[Jeremy Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent use of source material. Brief, yet both specific and general.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some things seem to be because of when it was written - doesn't seem to know that the hierogliphics are a real writing system

says indians lost because they didn't have history

this book is interesting not as a way to learn something about the colonial experience, but as an artifact of how American history used to be done

[Doug McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of history I wanted my children to see: a history written by someone who loves the godly, American ideal. Carson is a friend to that ideal throughout and an enemy to those who have gone against personal liberty, responsibility, and property. My son and I read through this series together with great profit and enjoyment.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thorough history of the U.S. Used this as a text for a group of high school students.

[Dayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a nice overview of the American Colonial Era. The author's writing is engaging and he employs timelines, profiles of key players and details about places and events. However, it was difficult to get a full view of this time period with so little mentioned about Native Americans.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

The genesis of the greatest country in the world, told boringly

[Alexander Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carson supplies context along with facts and figures. For example, how world geography played into the uniquely English nature of settling North America because the English coastal structure made Britain a great sea power that was capable of support colonization of the American continent. A recent discussion at our men's group focused on the radical individualism that shapes our culture today. In no small part this facet of society is likely tightly intertwined with the farm, rather than town, structure of early American agriculture. Truly an insightful early American history. I shall have to find if there are other, later-time-period volumes of this work.

[Steve Knier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Preachly, heavily 'Christian' view of history and the US. Kind of stuff that fuels Fox News.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical overview with good content. However, it's like reading a textbook and isn't really a page-turner.

[Joseph VanBuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically USA: The Prequel. The back story of the United States, going all the way back to biblical times through antiquity, the middle ages and Rennaissance, to the Age of Exploration and the so-called discovery of the "New World." By thoroughly considering the evolution of ideas and ideals of the European people who become colonizers in the Americas, the author gives a very helpful background that puts the Revolutionary War in perspective from both sides.

There is some mention of the different ways Native Americans helped shape the nation - I wish there was a little more of that. On the other hand, I am glad the author included a good amount of religious context for the reasons why Europeans came to settle in different areas. It seems these days that academic historians and much of the general public want to ignore the Christian roots of this country. We may not quite be a Christian nation these days, but I think it's important to acknowledge the huge role that the pursuit of religious freedom as well as political independence played in some of the rights we consider American (freedom of speech, right to bear arms, etc.).

Some reviewers said this book was dry or boring - I disagree. It does read like a textbook, and that's how I prefer my history. If the subject is interesting to you, you don't need the author to spice it up with fiction techniques or flowery writing. Carson tells the tale through facts and cultural context, and it is interesting because history is fascinating! This is book one in a series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one soon.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent basic introduction to American History with a lot of views that are not in vogue today. He is right in a majority of cases and should be read because he will force readers to question some of the prevailing narratives pushed by both liberals and conservatives. Plus he has a lot of primary quotes and brings up numerous laws and events that are not known as well, but still important in American history. He does not see the study of history as a way to push an agenda, but as an unfolding of facts. He clearly has his bias, which could be defined as small-government and strict constitutionalist among other things. But his bias does not cause him to ignore key facts, as is so often the case today.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trash. I'd give this less than one star if I could. Carson is a racist, religious moron. He dismisses the native inhabitants of the Americas as being incapable of understanding history (which he helpfully informs us is the study of things that happened) and then proceeds to blather at length about the Bible as history (A book of things that didn't happen) and decides to drone bible stories at the reader, seemingly having forgotten what his topic is supposed to be. So, it goes.

[JR Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This set reminds me of Nick Needham's series on Church history–giving lots of detail but at a very introductory level. Often, detail is reserved for more advanced texts. This series is great because it's easy to read.

I'd recommend this entire set to a high-school to undergraduate student.

[Daniel]

175 pages

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series, however, the grammatical errors are a bit distracting— even for our teen daughter. The author gets an A for content and a C for composition from me.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nerd alert! Although the delivery was a bit dry at times, I rather enjoyed this overview of the history leading up to the formation of America. I'll probably read the rest in the series at some point.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've actually read the first five in this six-series work. Not the most thrilling style, but fantastic, excellent content!!

[Liz]

My choice for my American History review this year is this series by Clarence Carson. I just began the first one, will review when I have a better feel for it.