Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

This challenging and motivating text presents the experience of the U.S. in World War II as a backdrop for understanding recent developments and events in American history. Four principal interwoven themes trace 1) the pervasive impact of the Cold War, 2) the effects of social-protest movements among African-Americans, women, and other groups, 3) the sources and impact of economic, demographic, and cultural changes, and 4) a thorough examination of politics.

Average Customer Rating:

WOW	Customer Rating:
Paul Boyer's "Promises To Keep" is an excellent textbook for the post-World War II society. He has references to important films, art works, and books throughout.

Over-Priced, Publisher Needs Spanking	Customer Rating:
I spend $5000 a year at Amazon. I also publish books and know that it costs a penny a page to publish a book with a hard copy jacket. This is an important book, disgracefully priced beyond the reach of virtually everyone who actually needs to read it. If and when the price drops to $35 or so, I will consider buying. If you agree, please join me in protest.

Revisionist?

Customer Rating:

I'm an older student, so old that the word "revisionist" was never applied to history. History was simply facts, dates, names, etc. Dull? Yes, but it was up to our professors to make those facts interesting - not the textbook. I was struck by a line in Paul Boyer's Preface: "This, then is not an authoritive, predigested, take-it-or-leave-it version of recent U. S. history but one PERSPECTIVE on that history presented in a way that I hope will stimulate discussion and reflection." We already must purchase a book that gives differing slants on modern problems that is to be used to supplement Boyer and provide PERSPECTIVE. Which book do I believe to be stating the truth? If I want PERSPECTIVE I'll ask my professor. I simply want a presentation of facts not an editorial wrapped up like facts. I can see it'll be a long semester.

A non-history major undergraduate's thoughts

Customer Rating:

This is an excellent textbook for courses on US history 1945-present. It covered all topics, from the civil rights movement to Iran-Contra, thoroughly and provided many supporting details. While concentrating on the high profile movements such as civil rights, the women's movement, and later the New Right, the author also traces Hispanic and American Indian movements and briefly touches on the Gay Rights Movement. His political commentary is somewhat liberal, especially in discussions on the most recent presidents, but his views do not significantly interfere with the facts he presents. Overall, it is an extremely well-written, in-depth analysis of political and social trends, and is a great resource for students.