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Summary:
Claiming that most textbooks and popular history books were written by biased left-wing writers and scholars, historian Thomas Woods offers this guide as an alternative to "the stale and predictable platitudes of mainstream texts." Covering the colonial era through the Clinton administration, Woods seeks to debunk some persistent myths about American history. For instance, he writes, the Puritans were not racists intent on stealing the Indians' lands, the Founding Fathers were not revolutionaries but conservatives in the true sense of the word, the American War Between the States (to even call it a civil war is inaccurate, Woods says) was not principally about slavery, Abraham Lincoln was no friend to the slaves, and FDR's New Deal policies actually made the Depression worse. He also covers a wide range of constitutional interpretations over the years, particularly regarding the First, Second, Ninth, and Tenth amendments, and continually makes the point that states' rights have been unlawfully trampled upon by the federal government since the early days of the republic. Though its title is more deliberately provocative than accurate, Woods' attack on what he sees as rampant liberal revisionism over the past 25 years proves to be an interesting platform for a book. He's as biased as those he rails against, of course, but he does provoke thought in an entertaining way even if he sometimes tries to pass off opinion as hard facts.
This quick and enjoyable read is packed with unfamiliar quotes, informative sidebars, iconoclastic viewpoints, and a list of books "you're not supposed to read." It is not a comprehensive or detailed study, but that is not its aim; instead, it offers ideas for further research and a challenge to readers to dig deeper and analyze some basic assumptions about American history--a worthy goal that Woods manages to reach. --Shawn Carkonen
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
Want to learn real History?
Customer Rating:
Great Book backed up by true quotes given by real people. This book puts people like Abraham Lincoln in a different light. I knew most of this stuff before reading the book but I am a student of history; most people are not. If you are more knowledgable than your fellow man when it comes to history or not makes no difference. If you read this book with an open mind you will love it. If you read it with a closed mind or the attitude that what you were taught in school is the correct version of things than you will be sorely dissapointed in this as you will probably call it 'piece of propaganda.'
When I graduated in 1984 I thought Lincoln was almost a God. That's because I was taught that he was almost a God. 7 or 8 years later when I started studying history I realized he is a far different man that what he appeared to be in high school history books. I still admire him but he was not what I thought he was. This book affirms that & if you enjoy this book also read 'the politically incorrect guide to the Confederacy.' That is a great book as well.
Ah, authentic American History
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An American state possessed the legal right to secede from the Union. Labor Unions did not stop children labor nor stop 80 hour work weeks. Many American intellectuals were apologists for Soviet communism. FDR's New Deal made the depression worst.
These are only but a few specifics they do not teach you in history class.
Brief, but to the point
Customer Rating:
I appreciated Prof. Woods touching on the main points directly although briefly. This is understandable as the subjects are varied and cover a somewhat long period of time. The sources cited at the end of the book are numerous and not individually identified as being endorsed. This is an excellent primer which will whet the appetite of those seeking to get past the propaganda and help identify subjects of personal importance so further research can be taken on.
it's no secret
Customer Rating:
"...and it's no secret that Stalin starved his people." maybe it's no secret. neither is it a secret that mao murdered millions of innocent chinese. but it is very un-pc to acknowledge such things, because it leads into dangerous un-pc areas the progressive thought police want to keep you away from. Students might get the wrong ideas about unimportant things such as communism and communist aggression, mccarthyism, nationalism, american sovereignty, private property, freedom and gun ownership; things which really aren't issues in today's world in which we are all citizens of the global village.
Politically Incorrect Guide to American History
Customer Rating:
I am a history lover and always want to hear the truth. A lot was left out of my history classes when I was a kid. I am glad to see a book like this on the market. It is past time to get the truth out to the children of today instead of the watered down information that is out there now.
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