This book, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen, is an eye-opening account of what’s wrong with the way U.S. history is taught in high schools and colleges. It reveals how textbooks have failed to accurately portray our nation’s past, leaving out important stories and omitting vital facts. By combining a thorough review of existing texts with his own research and analysis, Loewen provides a captivating look at the history that has been left untold.
This book will surely challenge the reader’s perception of the American past, while inspiring them to learn more about its complexities. From slavery to civil rights, from Native American Indians to Vietnam, no topic is spared as Loewen takes us on a journey through the “lies” told by our teachers.
The next part of this review will explore the content and format of this book in further detail.
Lies My Teacher Told Me Review
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong is an essential book for all ages that debunks the myths and lies related to America’s history. Written by James W. Loewen, a New York Times best-selling author, this book will make you rethink what you know about American history and challenge your understanding of our nation’s past. It offers an eye-opening exploration of our country’s past – one full of inspiring stories and vital lessons that have been forgotten or overlooked.
Key Features:
1. Uncover the lies, omissions and misconceptions in commonly accepted versions of American history
2. Examine the roots of racism, sexism and other forms of oppression throughout US history
3. Reveal how textbooks distort information to conform to national standards
4. Explore why some historical events are more widely known than others
5. Understand the importance of examining multiple perspectives when studying history
The truth about America’s past can be both enlightening and unsettling. With Lies My Teacher Told Me, readers are invited to reflect on their own beliefs and biases as they uncover the hidden truths behind our nation’s history. To help guide readers in their search for knowledge, Loewen provides his expertise on topics such as the Native American Genocide, Reconstruction, World War II, religion in America and much more. He also looks at how textbooks often omit or downplay certain aspects of history while emphasizing others. By exploring various sides of each issue, he helps readers gain necessary context so they can form their own opinions on this complex subject matter.
Product Details
Product | Lies My Teacher Told Me |
---|---|
Author | James W. Loewen |
Publisher | Touchstone (August 8, 2007) |
ISBN-10 | 0743296281 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0743296281 |
No. of Pages | 464 pages |
Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.2 inches |
Lies My Teacher Told Me Pros and Cons
1. Pros of Lies My Teacher Told Me
1. A comprehensive overview of American history: Lies My Teacher Told Me provides an accessible and entertaining look at the way our nation’s past is often misrepresented or ignored altogether.
2. Unbiased and objective analysis: The author, James W. Loewen, presents a balanced view of American history without leaning too far in one direction or the other.
3. A thought-provoking discussion: This book encourages readers to consider how their own understanding of history has been shaped by what they’ve been taught in schools and other sources.
4. Easy to read and understand: The language used throughout the book is straightforward and easy to comprehend, making it suitable for both experienced historians and those with little knowledge of American history.
5. Includes primary source documents: The book includes a variety of quotes from original sources, which provide further insight into its topics.
2. Cons of Lies My Teacher Told Me
1. Not comprehensive enough: While the book covers a broad range of topics, it doesn’t delve into all aspects of American history in great detail.
2. Some outdated information: Due to its age (first published in 1995), some information is now outdated.
3. Can be biased in certain areas: Despite being generally unbiased, the author does have his own opinions which may come across as biased in some sections of the book.
4. Doesn’t always provide solutions: While the book does raise interesting questions about American history, it doesn’t always provide solutions to these issues.
5. Not suitable for younger readers: Due to its mature content, this book isn’t recommended for readers below high school age.
Who are They for
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen is a groundbreaking book that has become required reading in many high schools and colleges around the world. This best-selling book offers an eye-opening look at how history textbooks often misrepresent or gloss over key events, figures, and facts.
From Christopher Columbus to Thomas Jefferson and more, this book dives into the myths that have been passed down through generations. It examines the distortion of facts and how they shape our perception of our past. The author also explores race and class issues and how they are often avoided by textbook writers. With its thought-provoking analysis, Lies My Teacher Told Me encourages readers to think critically about our nation’s history.
In addition to its enlightening content, this book is written in a captivating style with engaging stories and vivid detail. It uses humor to keep readers engaged and entertained while still delivering important information. Whether you are a student or teacher, Lies My Teacher Told Me will help you gain a deeper understanding of American history.
My Experience for Lies My Teacher Told Me
When I first picked up Lies My Teacher Told Me, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, it sounded like something out of an old-timey science fiction movie! But after flipping through the pages, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually a comprehensive and well researched book about American history.
The authors do an excellent job at showing how certain parts of our history have been distorted over time. Through their diligent research, they uncover lies that have been told to us regarding topics such as the Civil War, Native Americans and the Vietnam War. It’s the perfect resource for anyone interested in finding out the truth behind some of America’s most controversial events.
I found myself captivated by the stories and information contained within Lies My Teacher Told Me. The way the authors present the facts is both enlightening and entertaining. They also provide a variety of perspectives on each event, which helps to give readers a more balanced view of history.
If you’re looking for an interesting read that will open your eyes to some pivotal moments in American history, then Lies My Teacher Told Me is definitely worth checking out!
What I don’t Like
1. Does not provide comprehensive coverage of all US history topics
2. Critics argue that it is written from a one-sided perspective
3. The book does not emphasize the different points of view among various Native American tribes
4. Does not cover many of the important events in post-World War II America
5. Focuses on primary sources but does not discuss their reliability or objectivity
6. Lacks context and nuance when discussing slavery and its effects on African Americans today
7. Limited discussion of women’s roles in U.S. history beyond the 19th century
8. Does not provide an adequate overview of how technology has shaped US history
How to Understand American History with Lies My Teacher Told Me
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen is an invaluable resource for understanding American history from a critical perspective. With this book, you’ll gain a better understanding of the true story behind the events and people that shaped our nation.
The book dives deep into topics such as Native American history, slavery, the Civil War, World War II, and more. It’s filled with facts, stories, and research that challenge what you may have been taught in school. Each chapter provides insight on the true history of America.
For example, you’ll learn how Christopher Columbus was not the heroic explorer we were all taught about in grade school. You’ll also see how many historians have played down the role of women in U.S. history or even ignored them entirely.
Moreover, Lies My Teacher Told Me explains why certain historical events are often overlooked or not discussed at all in conventional textbooks. This will give you a broader understanding of our nation’s past and help make sense of current social issues.
By reading Lies My Teacher Told Me, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that made America great — from the perspective of its Indigenous peoples to the oppression faced by African Americans to progress made during the civil rights movement and beyond. This book will help you understand the complexities of our nation’s history and foster an informed appreciation for its past.
Questions about Lies My Teacher Told Me
What is Lies My Teacher Told Me?
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong is a critically acclaimed book by James W. Loewen that examines how history textbooks are written and what they leave out. It was first published in 1995 and has since become a staple of American historical education. The book reveals how American history textbooks often misrepresent the truth and omit important facts, leading to a distorted view of our country’s past.
What are some key topics discussed in Lies My Teacher Told Me?
Lies My Teacher Told Me covers a wide variety of topics related to American history, including Native Americans, race relations, civil rights, Reconstruction, WWI and WWII, the Cold War, and much more. Through these topics, it reveals how textbooks often sanitize or distort the truth in order to portray an idealized version of American history. Additionally, it offers alternative perspectives on controversial issues like the Vietnam War and the legacy of slavery.
What makes Lies My Teacher Told Me unique?
Lies My Teacher Told Me stands out from other books about American history because it takes an unflinching look at our nation’s past, offering fresh perspectives on familiar topics. Written in an accessible style, it is designed to be both educational and entertaining for readers of all ages. Furthermore, it contains information that is not found in many traditional history textbooks.
Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.