Don't know much about history : everything you need to know about… (original 1990; edition 2003)

Available in paperback, hardcover and audio cd

Social Studies Standards
1.1 Significant events and themes in United States history
• Identify and examine local connections to significant events and themes in United States history (American Revolution, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Civil Rights Movement, WWI, WWII, 9/11)
• Recognize and evaluate the significance of historical national documents (e.g. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Civic Literacy NCSS 3 “People. Places, and Environments” NCSS 6 “Power, Authority, ( )

A friendly question-and-answer format with entertaining answers about American history from Columbus to Clinton. The post-Watergate coverage is pretty slim, but at that point it could probably be assumed that most readers remembered those years clearly. (There is an updated version, but my copy was printed in 1995.) I learned quite a bit about those bits we skipped in school, like the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Though it could not replace a traditional history course, since there is an assumption that you know enough basic information to ask the questions being answered, it is an excellent refresher for those who have long since forgotten the names and dates they learned in school. Like most good popular history books, it brings out the human side of history, turning the names into people and the dates into actions with consequences. ( )

A brilliant written book on our nation's history. It is very informative and easy to read as, most history books are long and drawn out this book is entertaining and riveting. ( )

A compilation of important facts in our country's history. Each fact has a perspective or details that were probably not taught to you in school, unless you had a really cool history teach. A worthwhile read. ( )

Admittedly I do know a lot about history- a good portion of this book was review, but I did learn new things even in the chapters that were review. I learned the most about history post World War II- none of my history classes have ever gotten that far, and it was good to sort things that I sort of knew out. I might reread this eventually to pick up things that I didn't hold onto this time because of how much information there was. ( )