Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents 
asked by literary on November 2, 2006 10:53 AM
This book tells a history of the United States using over 1,000 primary sources and documents. Fascinating articles, history-making speeches, moving personal letters, momentous court cases and more paint an in-depth portrait of American life in all arenas: political, social, religious and cultural.
Brief introduction by the authors give background information for each document.
Every issue in U.S. history is covered - from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights to Brown vs. the Board of Education and Roe vs. Wade.
Browsers will discover entertaining and informative writings not found in history books, including the first American cookbook, Andrew Carnegie's business advice, poems that inspired the Chicano Movement, Mario Cuomo's 1984 convention speech, the environmental movement manifestoes and the Starr Report.
Organized chronologically and divided by subject ("The Civil War," "The Cold War," etc.), all documents are cross referenced in indexes so history buffs can find their favorite documents by author, document name and first line.
Reviews
0%
0%
"Our Nation's Archive: The History of the United States in Documents" is a phenomenal one-of-a-kind historical compendium that will thrill not only the historian and student, but also any citizen mildly interested in our country's evolution.
At around 900 pages, it may seem daunting or just another dusty tome of boring text. Instead, it is fascinating and riveting, providing EVERY important direct source document associated with the U.S., from its birth to its continuation into the modern age.
Brilliantly, editors Bruun and Crosby have also managed to include "documents" almost never included in history books -- speeches, articles and even poetry -- related to the primary documents of the events of the particular period.
For example, official documents pertaining to the Great Depression are reprinted, along with a section from John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," a novel of people who lived and suffered through those Dust Bowl days. Likewise, not only is the Executive Order interning Japanese Americans during World War II included, so is a side-bar describing the impact on Japanese American families who lost all of their property.
In an age when everything in society seems to revolve around the latest technological advancement, it is very centering to go through this book and read the true historical achievements of these incredible United States. Vividly illustrating its tragedies, as well as the justice and injustice done in the name of this nation, this book is truly like no other.
From the Declaration of Independence and the courts, to the true voices of vaunted politicians in their own words as well as the views of everyday citizens, events come to life in as astonishing a publishing accomplishment to come along in decades.
With a "couldn't-be-cheaper" price, this edition deserves to be in every home, library and school room in America. Even if you thought you knew the history of the United States from sea to shining sea, there is plenty inside these pages to surprise, delight or even sadden and sicken the most careful scholar.
Looked at in its entirety, this single volume not only educates, but in this new millennium, provides a sobering atmosphere to ponder the future of the country and every person's role as a responsible citizen. Bravo!!
At around 900 pages, it may seem daunting or just another dusty tome of boring text. Instead, it is fascinating and riveting, providing EVERY important direct source document associated with the U.S., from its birth to its continuation into the modern age.
Brilliantly, editors Bruun and Crosby have also managed to include "documents" almost never included in history books -- speeches, articles and even poetry -- related to the primary documents of the events of the particular period.
For example, official documents pertaining to the Great Depression are reprinted, along with a section from John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," a novel of people who lived and suffered through those Dust Bowl days. Likewise, not only is the Executive Order interning Japanese Americans during World War II included, so is a side-bar describing the impact on Japanese American families who lost all of their property.
In an age when everything in society seems to revolve around the latest technological advancement, it is very centering to go through this book and read the true historical achievements of these incredible United States. Vividly illustrating its tragedies, as well as the justice and injustice done in the name of this nation, this book is truly like no other.
From the Declaration of Independence and the courts, to the true voices of vaunted politicians in their own words as well as the views of everyday citizens, events come to life in as astonishing a publishing accomplishment to come along in decades.
With a "couldn't-be-cheaper" price, this edition deserves to be in every home, library and school room in America. Even if you thought you knew the history of the United States from sea to shining sea, there is plenty inside these pages to surprise, delight or even sadden and sicken the most careful scholar.
Looked at in its entirety, this single volume not only educates, but in this new millennium, provides a sobering atmosphere to ponder the future of the country and every person's role as a responsible citizen. Bravo!!
reviewed by bestseller on November 23, 2006 8:24 AM
0%
0%
This is a book for those who are interested in the history of this country and want to read that history from the original documents rather than someone's interpretation of those documents. I suggest that, serially, you look for an area that interests you and then enjoy the stimulation of reading the original thoughts on your own. Other reviews that are critical apparently prefer reading academic media with plenty of footnotes. You'll learn a lot more from reading any part of this book than you will reading almost any academic article including all of its footnotes. You'll also come away with more appreciation for the spirit of the documents by reading them in the original.
reviewed by oden on November 25, 2006 4:04 PM
0%
0%
Excellent book of primary sources. The author did not intend to put whole documents in this book. If you feel like you need the whole document, most of these can be found on the web.
reviewed by imtheboss on November 28, 2006 2:09 PM
0%
0%
This book has one redeeming quality: the volume contains many unusual and telling 'pieces' descriptive of American history.
However,the volume is flawed in two fatal and fundamental ways. 1) There is no bibliography, thus the reader has no way to determine where the editors located their material. For example, the first piece in the volume ("How the World was Made") is simply attributed to 'The Cherokee Nation'. 2) The editing of the material is suspect at best. The Rev. Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" has been redacted from its original fifty pargraphs to a mere 18 without wxplanation. Don't buy this book.
However,the volume is flawed in two fatal and fundamental ways. 1) There is no bibliography, thus the reader has no way to determine where the editors located their material. For example, the first piece in the volume ("How the World was Made") is simply attributed to 'The Cherokee Nation'. 2) The editing of the material is suspect at best. The Rev. Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" has been redacted from its original fifty pargraphs to a mere 18 without wxplanation. Don't buy this book.
reviewed by speed5599 on November 29, 2006 5:07 AM