Experience History: Interpreting America's Past

by James West Davidson

Connect students to the "stories" of history. Connect students to the "experience" of history. Connect students to "success" in history.
At McGraw-Hill, we have spent the past few years deepening our understanding of the student and instructor experience. Employing a wide array of research tools including surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic studies, we've identified areas in need of improvement to provide an opportunity for greater learning and teaching experiences. "Experience History" is a direct result of this.
"Experience History" is also a first in American History. Its groundbreaking adaptive diagnostic and interactive exercises paired with its lively narrative and engaging visuals create a unique teaching and learning environment propelling greater student success and better course results. Instructors gain better insight into students' engagement and understanding as students develop a base of knowledge and construct critical thinking skills. Gripping stories keep students turning the page while the adaptive diagnostics for each chapter and a personalized study plan for each individual student help students prepare for class discussions and course work while enjoying increased course success.
"Experience History" emphasizes that history is not just a collection of proven facts, but is "created" from the detective work of historians examining evidence from the past. Providing the interactive environment that only an integrated solution can provide, "Experience History" gives students the opportunity to examine primary sources and explore specific periods and events. This leads to greater understanding as well as the building and practicing of critical thinking skills. As students uniquely experience American History, "Experience History" propels students to greater understanding while achieving greater course success.
Give students an experience. Improve course participation and performance. "Experience History," and experience success.

Genres: Nonfiction

1120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2010

About the author

James West Davidson is a historian, writer, and wilderness paddler. He received his Ph.D. in American history from Yale University and writes full time. He is also co-editor, with Michael Stoff, of New Narratives in American History, a series published by Oxford University Press, as well as the coauthor of textbooks in American history. These include "Experience History," "After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection," and "US: A Narrative History" for the college level and "The American Nation" for the middle grades.

Reviews

[Mary-Faith]

My American History textbook.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as text books go, I really enjoyed this one on American history. It has interesting side notes, and special pages that reveal more about little known facts in America's past. The writing is clear and orderly.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a textbook, this one does a pretty good job at approaching American history, from pre-contact to the end of Reconstruction, and covers a large amount of information in a fair and unbiased way. I appreciate that the authors consider the perspectives of Native Americans, as well as those who are typically marginalized and whose stories usually don’t make it into the narrative of history.