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Loading... A New Age Now Begins: A People's History of the American Revolution (Volume 1)by Page Smith
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History As Bunk: One might sum this up merely by saying this is the worst book I have ever reviewed, which is true enough. But one cannot let it go at that. The book contains some potent and persuasive narrative, and plays upon highly fashionable prejudices, and thus there is a likelihood that it might be taken seriously. Indeed, in some quarters it already has been; it was an April Book-of-the-Month Club selection. One must therefore be more explicit in repudiating it. Had such a work appeared anonymously in an underground newspaper, no one would have a right to be offended, but for it to appear under the imprint of a respectable publisher and a reputable historian is nothing less than prostitution. The Supreme Court has defined an obscene book as one that is offensive to ordinary standards of decency and contains no redeeming social value. By that criterion, A New Age Now Begins is on a par with the movies of Linda Lovelace. Belongs to SeriesPeople's History (1.1)
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)973.3History and Geography North America United States Revolution and confederation (1775-89)LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I finally took some time to actually look at the books, and to read about them online. Now I understand; and I am glad I never bothered to try to read any of them. The books have no footnotes, and no references. That fact alone makes one question their legitimacy. Readers are expected to take Smith's word on everything -- not just his ideas and interpretations but his claims, his statement of facts. In his defense, one might argue that his volumes are meant for the general public, which would be put off by footnotes; but why no references from which readers might glean further information, or alternative interpretations of controversial issues?
And then I noticed a factual error. John Quincy Adams is said to be the grandson (not the son) of John Adams -- the latter being an historical figure on which Smith has written a separate, for volume set. A visit to reviews at Amazon.com revealed plenty of other such errors. And wondering how professional historians viewed the works of their retired colleague, I sought some published reviews.
One needs to look no further than the review of volumes 1 and 2 by Forrest McDonald in the Virginia Quarterly Review. The reviewer notes mountains of factual errors, many of them elementary. In his view, Smith's interpretations are ideologically based and deeply suspect. McDonald calls the book "the worst book I have ever reviewed"... that for this work "to appear under the imprint of a respectable publisher and a reputable historian is nothing less than prostitution." The reviewer goes on to state: "The Supreme Court has defined an obscene book as one that is offensive to ordinary standards of decency and contains no redeeming social value. By that criterion, A New Age Now Begins is on a par with the movies of Linda Lovelace." A link to this review is available at the Library Thing page.
And so, Page Smith took up a full bookshelf shelf in my basement for 14 years, but mercifully, none of my valued reading time. I am deleting the set of books, unread, and without regrets.