Recommendation for American History Resources please.

[Kristen Jorgensen]

This is a tall order I know but if you could help me in any way at least to get started I would really appreciate it.

I am looking for an American History source of compilation of books both actual history books as well as literature that goes along with it. This is for myself. I'm one of those..."barely got anything out of school" people so I finally want to play catch up. Esp. with everything going on now. I want to develop my understanding of the founding of our country up to the present.

Any suggestions? Even if I could start with some great history books and then I can fill in my own literature.

[Pat]

Did you check wikipedia? It is concise, occasionally accurate and usually current. They often have useful references. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States

This site has a chapter per period: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/histryotln/

Of course, depending upon the author, the perspective is slanted, even varying what is observed varies according to the paradigm. For instance, I saw where someone requested a "History of the US from a Christian perspective." Obviously, a "history of America" from a German, Japanese, Australian, Iraqi, Israeli, Chinese, Russian, etc. perspective would differ. Even among Americans, we don't agree about the Civil War or the Iraqi war...

There are homeschool curriculum with suggested American literature to learn about a period of history. That may be a place to start.

Some years back, I just borrowed a "History of the World Wars" from the library. I don't recall the title, beyond that. It was fascinating to see how we got to here, even noting the "inaccuracies", which I've subsequently realized were myopic American perspectives.

I learned the most history by traveling outside of the US. The museums of other countries are an enlightening alternate view point! When we traveled to England, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, etc. They each had different beliefs about America's involvement in the wars, for instance. I learned SOOO much that I didn't learn in school. In fact, that experience is the most motivation for us to use the "world as our text book" while homeschooling.

I believe that you will find a synopsis that is most current, online, rather than a text book or a published book. It takes years to get things published. And "history" is a story which can be retold differently the more we learn what *else* was happening. For instance, we "rewrite" our birth stories, as we learn and grow.

Also, perspectives such as environmentalism, pacifism, "patriotism", industrialism, simplicity, "progressive" thought would alter the "story".


HTH, Pat

[Kristen Jorgensen]

Thank you Pat.

I'm looking mainly at early U.S. history I guess. I'm trying to piece together the founding father's perspective and go from there.

[Pat]

I'm intrigued.

Have you read the Constitution? (you don't have to answer here, there is no quiz, lol) I probably, might have read most, or at least some of it. I wonder if I've read the whole thing as an adult. I imagine my reading of it would have changed, as my beliefs about consensual human interactions have blossomed along the way. Parenting certainly altered my beliefs about people. Where culture and my upbringing probably impacted my assumptions about people, nurturing an innocent little baby have impacted my beliefs about all humanity. Those altered perspectives would help me to observe different intentions and perspectives in the document, I think. I imagine there are whole books, just dissecting the intentions behind the Constitution. Of course, much of that is still debated in the Supreme Court (with strong disagreements) today. So, an "objective" perspective of the founding father's perspective seems almost oxymoronic, perhaps. (That reminds me of anthropology and The Continuum Concept, for instance.)

Or are you interested in the Revolutionary War? Perhaps, focusing on that piece of history would help? Conflict begets understanding, (ideally?). Also, many of my family have come to America, rather than evolved from the founding fathers of America. So, the origin of the government of America is something that we can choose, reject, or be subject to-without agreement.

I'm curious how other's perspectives impact you in the present. We certainly are not compelled to agree with the founding fathers. :-)

Pat

[Kristen Jorgensen]

Pat,

Thanks for the discussion. I have read the Constitution in college and have read bits and pieces of it recently but need to reread the entire document again. I think that any history should be read from multiple sources as everyone has some type of bias.

It was also very educational having lived in the Washington D.C. area for both historical purposes as well as modern day politics. My dh grew up there and I was always impressed with his knowledge of both when we met.

I can see your point about seeing how others view us as a nation. I have lived outside of our country for a combined total of over 2+ years in three very different countries: The Philippines, Israel and Trinidad and Tobago while also having traveled extensively. We also traveled to Jordan while in Israel and it was interesting to go visit The University of Amman and dialogue with the students there.

I do strongly believe that America as a nation was meant to grow out of divine providence as a place where people could worship their God freely. I don't think that we are perfect by any means and there are quite a lot of mistakes that our government has made in the process since being founded. However, I am really concerned with a growing sentiment that I see of people in our country who genuinely seem to dislike (hate is too strong but dislike is too weak) what our government or at least what we stand for. I know that a lot of people are extremely dissatisfied with the Republican party for obvious reasons but it goes beyond that I think.

I'm not meaning to start a heated debated or argument, but just to share what's going on in my mind as of late. I like to think of myself as a respectful person who tries to understand others' beliefs.

So I just feel a need to understand where we started as a country, b/c I do believe that it is a foundation for our nation. From what I've read so far about different lives of our founding fathers they were very unique individuals and very intelligent and dedicated to forming this nation- and also strongly disagreed many times. I watch other countries struggling to erect a democracy themselves and see how difficult it is as well as the past difficulties of our own and I just want to understand that better. But I don't want to stop there, I want to really understand where we've come from there and how we've arrived at where we are today. Does that makes sense?

Thanks for your questions and insight!

[Pat]

There is a concept called Systematic Ideology. "It seeks to understand the origin and development of ideologies, how ideologies and ideological groups work together, and the possibilities of guiding the development of ideologies on a global scale. The basic premise of systematic ideology is that ideology is the central motivator in human affairs; that the characteristics that make up the major ideologies come in sets; that those sets of characteristics form a series; and that the ideological series forms a system."

Basically, our beliefs are conditioned by the system, and the system is created by our beliefs. It is an interesting "starting point" related to the development of "democracy" as a social system.

Democracy, is not something I embrace. :- o A controversial statement, to be sure. But, not sure I can elucidate the issues here. Although, my beliefs stem from a holistic, and yet, individualistic perspective. I believe democracy is difficult for other cultures to embrace, due to the devaluation of the "whole" (village/commune), and the minority (individual).

I'd love to chat more sometime. :-) I love anthropology, socio-cultural, economics and politics. And find (medica)l systems of monopoly...and spirituality fascinating subjects! LOL


Pat

[Kristen Jorgensen]

I love anthropology as well. I think I should have picked that as my major vs what I did!

I will look into the Systematic Idealogy concept. I appreciate your sharing your views and insights Pat. It sounds like you are definitely very well read. That's one reason I was asking for US History recommendations b/c there are so very many view points out there and generally speaking the home school crowd tends to be extremely well versed. :)

[Pat]

I've posted on one of the homeschool groups and at Mothering.com for book recommendations. I'm intrigued to read too!


Pat

[Pat]

Three ladies on MDC strongly recommended A People's History of the United States. http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-History-United-States-1492-Present/dp...
"Best history book ever."
"Fantastic book!! "

Appears to be $6 used, at Amazon. And multiple copies are available at the Meck. Co. Public Library.

That was easy, lol.


Pat

[Pat]

Founding Myths was also recommended. http://www.rayraphael.com/Founding_Myths.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Myths-Stories-That-Patriotic/dp/1565...

I also have an email in to a professor of history up at UNCC, per a recommendation. So, I am excitedly curious to share this adventure!


Pat

[Pat]

Here is his reply:

I am not a specialist of this period, but here are a few classics and other books I've enjoyed:

*
Wood, Gordon S., The Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787
*
The Radicalism of the American Revolution
*
Ellis, Joseph J., Founding Brothers
*
Bailyn, Bernard, The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution
*
Morgan, Edmund S. and Helen M., The Stamp Act Crises: Prologue to Revolution
*
Royster, Charles, A Revolutionary People at War: The Continental Army and American
Character, 1775-1783
*

Dr. Shepherd W. (Shep) McKinley
History Department
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

[Pat]

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, by Cokie Roberts was also recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Mothers-Women-Raised-Nation/dp/00600...

"This book is written about women who influenced the leaders of the Revolutionary War, the first Continental Congress, the first Congress, first states and so on. This book covers the pre-War era, the Revolution, and the beginnings of a new country."

An alternate perspective.


Pat

[Kristen Jorgensen]

A few years ago I read a great biography of Abigail Adams. It was actually written for youth and compiled from her letters. The author included some information in a postlogue form on how to compile your own historical re: a person. I'll see if I can remember what the title was. It was something basic like Abigail Adams.