U.S. History for Dummies(r) (For Dummies)

Lots of people think that learning U.S. history is a punishment. It's a subject you had to take in school. You memorized a bewildering array of dates, absorbed definitions for terms like Manifest Destiny, and wondered if America really needed two presidents named Harrison. Historical figures were presented to you as if they were characters in a junior high school costume pageant, with their blemishes airbrushed out and personalities drained away in stodgy history textbooks.

History textbooks often overlook the fascinating moments of history. They present U.S. history as something dry and distant, all events and facts, and don't focus on what is really is: The story of Americans. It's the story of people – what they thought, did, and tried to do as they struggled to build a nation.

U.S. History For Dummies is not a textbook. It focuses on people  – famous, infamous, and obscure. This book gives you a basic foundation of information about the history of the United States. Students and teachers can use it as a friendly, easy-to-understand overview of U.S history, and history buffs can use it as a reference to look up important facts, to settle debates, and to store up ammunition for future conversations with a know-it-all brother-in law!

Here's just a sampling of the topics covered in U.S. History For Dummies:

• Pre-Columbus: The earliest Native Americans
• The settling of the Pilgrims and the expansion toward the West
• The American Revolution and the establishment of a new government
• How the most influential presidents governed the nation
• The Civil War and the abolishment of slavery
• The development of modern industry
• Two World Wars and a Great Depression
• America matures through tragedy: The Kennedy Assassination, the Vietnam War, and Watergate

U.S. History For Dummies also includes Top Ten lists covering the best  – and worst – presidents, inventions that changed the world, and events that defined American culture.

This text is a dynamic survey of the people, politics, and events that shaped the United States. From the first colonies to its rise as a world superpower, every aspect of US history is touched upon - from the first inhabitants such as the Vikings and Anasazi to modern day scandals.

Now revised–the friendly, easy-to-understand guide to the story of America

Since the publication of first edition of U.S. History For Dummies, significant events have reshaped thoughts about everything from oil consumption to mortgages to presidential candidates. This updated guide to the fascinating events and people of America's past and present features new and revised material covering the attacks of September 11th, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2004 and 2008 elections, and other recent events that have shaped recent U.S. history. From pre-Columbus to the American Revolution, from the two World Wars to Watergate and beyond, it makes the topic accessible for students at all levels, as well as for parents and teachers who may need a quick refresher.

Steve Wiegand (Hometown TK) is an award-winning political journalist and history writer. He currently writes a thrice-weekly political column for the Sacramento Bee.

U.S. History For Dummies,2nd Edition provides readers with relevant and factual information on the history of the United States. This new edition includes 25 percent new and revised material that includes coverage of the 2008 elections, the attacks of September 11th, 2001, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other recent events that have shaped U.S. history.

Steve Wiegand is an award-winning journalist with 25 years of experience at the Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Introduction.

PART I: Getting There, Getting Settled, and Getting Free.

Chapter 1: Before the Beginning: 14,000 B.C.-A.D. 1492.

Chapter 2: Columbus Discovers the Bahamas: 1492-1607.

Chapter 3: Pilgrims' Progress: The English Colonies, 1607-1700.

Chapter 4: Old Grudges in a New World: 1700-1763.

Chapter 5: Revolting Developments: 1763-1775.

Chapter 6: Yankee Doodlin': 1775-1783.

Chapter 7: Blueprints and Birth Pains: 1783-1800.

PART II: Growing Pains.

Chapter 8: "Long Tom" Becomes President: 1800-1809.

Chapter 9: One Weird War: 1809-1815.

Chapter 10: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly: 1815-1828.

Chapter 11: The Influences of Andrew Jackson: 1829-1844.

Chapter 12: War, Gold, and a Gathering Storm: 1845-1860.

Chapter 13: A Most Uncivil War: 1861-1865.

Chapter 14: Putting It Back Together: 1865-1876.

PART III: Coming of Age.

Chapter 15: Growing Up: 1876-1898.

Chapter 16: Growing Out: 1899-1918.

Chapter 17: Bathtub Gin, Jazz, and Lucky Lindy: 1919-1929.

Chapter 18: Uncle Sam's Depressed: 1930-1940.

Chapter 19: The World at War: 1941-1945.

PART IV: America in Adulthood.

Chapter 20: The Fast Fifties: 1946-1960.

Chapter 21: Camelot to Watergate: 1961-1974.

Chapter 22: Hold the Malaise, or Ayatollah So: 1975-1992.

Chapter 23: The Future is Now: 1993-2000.

PART V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 24: The 10 Best — and 10 Worst — Presidents.

Chapter 25: Ten Historical Events That Probably Never Happened.

Chapter 26: Ten Inventions That Changed Life as We Know It.

Chapter 27: Ten Events That Defined American Culture.

PART VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Preamble to the United States Constitution.

Appendix B: The Bill of Rights: Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution.

Appendix C: The Declaration of Independence.

Appendix D: The Gettysburg Address.

Index.

Book Registration Information.