American History: US History: An Overview of the Most Important People & Events. The History of United States: From Indians, to "Contemporary" History ... Native Americans, Indians, New York Book 1)
5th edition, updated November 2018 This NEW edition includes updated, expanded and added material From Colonization to the Space Race, this is the history of America’s successes and failures. It’s a story filled with strength and resilience, triumph and defeat, prosperity and poverty. Learn how a little settlement of a few hundred colonists grew to be one of the most powerful nations the world has ever seen
With American US An Overview of the Most Important People & Events. The History of United From Indians to Contemporary History of America, 5th Edition you’ll discover the people and events that molded the United States of America into one of the most influential nations in the world
Pre-colonial times and the discovery of America Early settlers creating the first European colonies The formation of the 13 colonies The revolution that won America’s independence from Britain The founding of a nation and signing of the Declaration of Independence Rapid expansion across the American west Brutal removal of Native Americans from their ancestral homes The American Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation The reconstruction of the southern States Constant wars between the United State and European powers WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII Development of nuclear energy and the Cold War The Space Race and Pax Americana How the constitution continues to guide the United States The ongoing fight for Civil Rights by African Americans the Women’s Suffrage Movement The formation and history of you two main political parties This quick glimpse into the most significant events and people in America’s past reveals the seed that sported a great nation, the mistakes and tragedies that tore it apart, and the triumphs and perseverance that rebuilt it to be even stronger than before.
Learn how America became the nation it is today, and how it continues to triumph during difficult times with American US An Overview of the Most Important People & Events. The History of United From Indians to Contemporary History of America, 5th Edition.
This is often how readers perceive lengthy accounts of historical incidents. However, this book is anything but that. It is a detailed documentation about the rise and growth of one of the most powerful countries in the history of nation states on the face of this planet.
The blurb pretty much covers everything that the book entails. It definitely is a road map to discovering America and where everything originates. What I found interesting in the book was that it wasn’t just a history book. The format, writing style, and the layout of the book are designed to make you feel as if you are part of the history, even if you are not American. You feel for the founders, the people, the way everything shapes up to make the country that it is today. It makes you proud and drives you in wanting to know more about the land. The book also includes pictures, which enhances the quality of the book.
This book is a vast and detailed summary of the History of North America, starting by the Native to the current political parties.
Willis starts introducing how Christopher Columbus got the continent, his struggles, internal battles, mistakes and success. How with his Pinta, Niña and Santa María sailed away Westward to the current Puerto Rico, and named it Hispaniola.
The author guides us through the first English settlements, like the Sir Walter Raleigh's (1584). How the Jamestown colony was established in what will turn into Massachusetts, and how this was an open way to the Protestant Reformation. We read about Mayflower, and how Spanish and Portuguese expeditions centered off the California coast. Then, we find the foundation of the thirteen Colonies, the French and Indian War (1756-63).
The next chapter is an insight about the American Revolution and George Washington as the First President; the tropes the Crown sent in 1768 to control the protests and the Boston Massacre.
The reader goes, also, through the Tea Act of 1773, the Intolerable Acts and, finally "On June 14th, 1775 the Second Continental Congress officially created the Continental Army and elected Washington as the Supreme Commander". A new Era.
I find very interesting that Willis mentions the Siege of Boston just before the Treaty of Paris, which is crucial for the history of this country. From there, we find the Declaration of Independence and the "expansion" (1803-53), together with the Indian Removal Act and the following, great, Abraham Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation and of course, the Civil War.
Afterward, the author insights into industrialization, railroads and the consequent Women's Suffrage. Obviously, it could not miss the WWI and the changes in an economic and cultural way. This led to the Great Depression and the reigns under FDR, the WWII and the women's movement and participation in workforce.
Finally, the reader gets to the development of the nuclear power, the Cold War, the implication of Korea and McCarthyism. Pax Americana, Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong and the Civil Rights close the book, not before dedicating half a chapter to the Vietnam War, considered part of The Cold War.
This book is an excellent one. With accurate information, quick to read and a very good summary of our history. I highly recommend it to readers interested in History, the US, world wars and military. Congratulations.
"American History" - A Fantastic Read defining American History - 5 Stars!
“American History” is an extremely educational and informative book that summarizes the history of America. It not only insightfully discusses American History from the discovery of America through the Cold War to the present, but also clarifies commonly held misconceptions about specific points and people in American history. It is truly a “fantastic read.”
The book begins by dispelling commonly held myths such as that the United States was always strong and that America began with Columbus. It discusses how primitive artifacts have been found in North America dating back to 14,000 BC. It gives examples of possible early inhabitants of America such as the “Adena” people and contains very interesting early photos and maps throughout.
“American History” clears up and explains many points of dispute in the history of America. For example, it turns out that Columbus was Portuguese but was not supported in his explorations by his home country but by Spain. It also turns out that he never actually landed in North America but first landed on the island of Hispaniola where his “terrified” crew spread diseases like small pox which killed off 90% of the indigenous population.
Other very enjoyable aspect of this book were the actual journal entries from eyewitnesses of the time along with questions and answers at the end of each chapter.
From learning about the first missions in California and the gold rush to the founding of New Orleans by French migrants in 1718 to World War Two and the Cold War and beyond, the information in this book was complete and refreshing.
This book gives a new perspective on some ugly aspects of American history often “swept under the rug” such the Indian Removal Act which forcibly removed 125,000 Indians to reservations in Oklahoma so the US could sell their land. Years later Japanese Internment Camps were built for people of Japanese descent who were locked up in compounds to isolate them during World War Two.
This book is a super read and an excellent reference book for adults and children of all ages. It is also an “eye opener” that sets the record straight on many disputed aspects of American history. 5 Stars!
After reading several history books by this author, I've found him a reliable source for presenting facts, drawing timelines, delineating events and personages, and placing it all in a sensible and comprehensible framework. He has an enjoyable writing manner, emphasizing positives, and inspires readers to research further for themselves, using his work as a background springboard. In AMERICAN HISTORY, William D. Willis presents a more in-depth narrative of the extensive and varied history of the United States.
This american history overview is simply outstanding. Each decisive moment is explained along with eye witness accounts. These accounts consist of diary entries, biography mentions, or personal papers. Having g that one feature brings this history account heads above others. Fascinating moments are shared and documented throughout. I consider this book as a definitive history book.
Refreshed my memory of the classes I took as a student and left me with a more comprehensive overview of our history; also prompting me to look at some episodes I had never heard of. Needs considerably more editing. Left out or incorrect spellings are glaringly obvious and caused me to lay it down more than once. Otherwise, I would have rated it higher.