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July 21, 2006
American History Garage Sale Find
I literally stumbled across some great American history books today: Volumes 1 and 2 of "Opposing Viewpoints in American History," published by Greenhaven Press.
No frills, here. Each book is over 300 pages of source documents, addressing key points of American history in chronological order (from reasons for and against colonizing America, to 1992 and the end of the Cold War). For example, Vol. 2, for the topic of the Great Depression and the New Deal, presents the following pieces:
• Henry Ford, from "On Unemployment," Literary Digest, June 11 & 18, 1932: "Self-Help Is the Best Response to Unemployment."
• Charles R. Walker, from "Down and Out in Detroit," in America Faces the Future, ed. Charles A. Beard, 1932: "Self-Help is Not Enough."
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, from his address to the Democratic National Convention, July 2, 1932: "America Needs a New Deal."
• Herbert Hoover, from a campaign speech delivered at Madison Square Garden, New York City, October 31, 1932: "Roosevelt's New Deal Would Destroy America."
Very little commentary accompanies these pieces, but what is there provides good questions for critical thinking and analysis. I haven't had time to read very far into the books, but so far the reader is left, in every case, to make up his own mind about the issue. For each article, titles for further reading are suggested.
I'd never heard of these books before. I picked them up for $1.00 each, and think they'll be very, very useful for high-school American history reading.
Posted by lynx at July 21, 2006 10:12 PM
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Comments
ooh, I'm jealous....My biggest steals have been the Latin Book one for $2, and a World History Textbook called _World History and Cultures_ by Habberton for 25 cents at my library...The books you found sound very interesting....
Posted by: Anne at July 22, 2006 11:00 AM
Those sound fabulous -- thanks for the review! I think I'll see if I can fine them because unlike so much, they won't be 'dated' by the time jack is ready ...
Posted by: Misti at July 23, 2006 11:33 AM