The American Nation: A History of the United States, Combined Volume

by Mark C. Carnes, John A. Garraty

Using the political history of the nation as the framework on which social, economic, and cultural developments depend, co-authors Carnes and Garraty describe how the voices and actions of many peoples have produced a particular political structure—the United States, a single nation—and how that nation has in turn influenced the lives of everyone. Long-renowned for its elegant narrative style, The American Nation in this Twelfth Edition retains its most significant strength—its rich and memorable prose. In this revision, the authors have revised each chapter to incorporate recent research and scholarship, refined the prose style, greatly expanded the number of maps, selected many new illustrations to engage students visually, and written informative, new captions to encourage students to reflect on the information conveyed in the illustration. In each chapter, a new feature, “Debating the Past” presents the varying views of historians on a question related to the chapter content. The final chapter (33) carries the story of the American nation to the present with coverage of the war in Iraq and the election of 2004.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Textbooks, American History, Reference, School

903 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Mark C. Carnes is Professor of History at Barnard College.

Reviews

[Zach Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the book i had to read for my A.P. U.S. History class and it worked quite well. Some chapters dragged on while others were quite interesting. People who just want to learn more details on major, well known events probably will be disappointed, as the books is more focused in the real details of the formation of the american nation. This includes the economic, political, and social subtle and not so subtle changes that created modern America. If you like to read about the wars and battles fought by America, also not a lot of focus there. Its important to understand ahead of time that there is a difference between well known and popular events in history, and the ones that really affected America. Overall, its a good book that has a surprising personal feel to it.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do
not
ever
read
this
book.
If you are a teacher/ principal/ administrator/ superintendent and you're trying to choose a history text book to teach from, please, please, PLEASE, DO NOT CHOOSE THIS ONE. DO NOT PUT YOUR STUDENTS THROUGH THIS HELL. The book has random, stupid facts like "They were enemies (but later forgave each other and became close friends)." AND I'M NOT EVEN JOKING.
Also, it DOES NOT EVEN MENTION THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS. What kind of history book does not talk about the Gettysburg Address?! It was just horrible. If you bought this, I pray you're able to return it and go buy a different one.

[Lynnae Pulsipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still love this American History book that we used back in the 80’s in high school. Our AP history teacher Mr. Dahlquist made us buy the books because they were big and would get so beat up going in and out of the lockers, plus it was a college level course and there was the reasoning that in college you also have to buy your books.
I bought mine used from a former student, and had to sell it at the end of the year, but my one day husband was able to keep his and it is still, beat up and wobbly, in our bookshelves.
I like a little character in the narration of a book, even then I did, so personality in the narration of a history book was a revelation to me.
I’ve thumbed through this a few times since high school but I wound like to buckle down and read it again some time, especially with US history being despised and lost the way it is these days. Let’s take the bad with the good and learn from it, not cast it out.
Let’s protect our nation and the flag we are blessed to live under, and instead of tearing apart the constitution, let’s cast out those who corrupt it or the hypocrites sworn to uphold it who instead exist on back room deals and cronyism.
God Bless America!

[Jenifer Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not the best-organized of textbooks. It wasn't as well indexed as a textbook should be, and there were sections that flipped back and forth a little too much. While the pertinent information was there, it was written in a very dry manner that just slides off the brain. I am saying this as a History major who often reads nonfiction for fun. This text wasn't at all engaging. The authors did try to relate to students by having sections that compared real history to films about historical periods. There were a strange juxtaposition of facts and film critique, and only came across as a weak attempt to make the book engaging. I have had many textbooks that are beautifully written and draw the reader in. This, sadly, was not one of them.

[Casgads · Rating 1 out of 5]

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. It's incredibly bad. I can hardly imagine how much effort was put into a book this dense with crap. I can hardly comprehend the idiotic way the author chose to sprinkle in random, irrelevant facts. It's not only unbearable to read, but it's also impossible. I am an avid reader, even with textbooks, and I never really dislike a textbook. This one is like greek. It's not intellectually stimulating, informative, or clearly written. It's ridiculously structured and the syntax makes the war chapters impossible to read. It's either way too emotional and unprofessional (the author actually tries to be inspiring and funny) or it's just plain robotic. The robotic sections are like computer code.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My AP US history book! Actually enjoyed coming home every night and doing the reading.

[Maria Rodriguez Hertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It misses a lot of important information and important events in history

[Tue Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent textbook with a nice font.