Fear was my gateway to becoming interested in stories. My nanny growing up, a Scottish expat named Jackie with a fox pelt of red hair and a manic...
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taxidriver667, January 2, 2010 (view all comments by taxidriver667)
This book ought to be required reading for teachers and anyone who is interested in learning about U.S. History. It's a compelling read and helps shed some light about why many people don't know and don't care about U.S. History. The chapters about Columbus and the Vietnam War are especially interesting and are guaranteed to get you thinking.
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Tobey, November 22, 2007 (view all comments by Tobey)
I have always been rather curious about history, even if I could barely stay awake in history class in high school. My curiosity generally led me to the library, where I could supplement my notes. So it was with some surprise that I came across Professor Loewen's book several years ago.
As I eat my grilled cheese sandwich -- professional bakers rarely get much of a break at this time of year -- this Thanksgiving, I am reminded of that book, and, in particular, the section on the First Thanksgiving.
It's a very entertaining read, and may just change your perspective on some historic events that you think you know.
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"Synopsis"
by Netread,
Americans have lost touch with their history, and in Lies My Teacher Told Me Professor James Loewen shows why. After surveying eighteen leading high school American history texts, he has concluded that not one does a decent job of making history interesting or memorable. Marred by an embarrassing combination of blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, and outright lies, these books omit almost all the ambiguity, passion, conflict, and drama from our past.
In this revised edition, packed with updated material, Loewen explores how historical myths continue to be perpetuated in today's climate and adds an eye-opening chapter on the lies surrounding 9/11 and the Iraq War. From the truth about Columbus's historic voyages to an honest evaluation of our national leaders, Loewen revives our history, restoring the vitality and relevance it truly possesses.
Thought provoking, nonpartisan, and often shocking, Loewen unveils the real America in this iconoclastic classic beloved by high school teachers, history buffs, and enlightened citizens across the country.
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.