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" I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I read it along with my son for an American history course, and though I thought the coverage was great, and I mostly agreed with the author's point of view, I found myself wanting to throttle him sometimes because of his weird personal views on some of the characters. Overall, though, it's a much better read for American history than most text books. "
- Kathleen, 2/19/2014
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" I have been listening to this book in fits and starts for months now. Though I enjoy it, it has over 48 hours worth of listening. I enjoyed it mostly because since the author is British, the biases I am used to and annoyed by are absent. I can detect a few but anything published lately in the US has such a political overtone I liked having a different viewpoint. I liked this book enough it is on my "to buy" list to have as a reference book in my home for my children. "
- Kathy, 2/3/2014
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" This book will greatly broaden and change your knowledge and understanding of the history of the United States. It is written by a Brit that wanted to know and understand American history. He has a huge understanding of the subject, more than 99+% of all Americans. "
- Walt, 1/20/2014
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" Despite this length, this was a very engaging survey of US history. The conservative slant which was permissible in the beginning parts of the book however got downright annoying towards the end. "
- Sriram, 1/10/2014
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" not as good as 'modern history' but quite compelling nonetheless. you may have to temporarily let go of your liberal prism if you have one though :) "
- Alex, 1/2/2014
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" making up for not paying attention in high school history "
- Brandon, 1/2/2014
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" A very long book. I enjoyed it, though it doesn't have an objective point of view the outsider-type view of facts allows for a better view of cause and effect and avoids some of the things that are romanticized in America. "
- Theanonymousafro, 12/14/2013
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" Really like this as an overall history book of American History. Johnson is able to report the facts while telling an engaging story. This is enjoyable for all...but especially those who want to learn history but cannot stand to read textbooks. "
- Missy, 12/10/2013
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" I finished as much of this book I'm going to read for this semester. This is a wonderful history of our country. I really found it readable and interesting. "
- Jenny, 12/4/2013
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" This is going to take forever to get through but I think it will be worth it.1100 pages! "
- Paul, 12/2/2013
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" Objective social historian's take on American history... and he's British! "
- Bradley, 11/4/2013
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" My second time reading this book. Enjoy reading a book by a British author who is so favorable towards Americans. "
- Faith, 10/23/2013
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" My first Paul Johnson book, but maybe me a disciple. This is a great book and he is a great writer. "
- Gary, 10/7/2013
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" Best American history book I've seen. Emphasis is on people. Makes history interesting and relevant. "
- Bev, 5/14/2013
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" This was a decent history of the United States until the author got to the second half of the 20th century. At that point it became more of a conservative rant than a history. I wasn't expecting that, and it made me question the objectivity of the rest of the book. "
- Erica, 12/24/2012
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" Johnson believes in the "big-man" school of history. While this isn't necessarily wrong or unsatisfying at times, he misses what I feel is very important bits of American history. His tone is frequently incredibly pompous and obnoxious, which doesn't help me like him. "
- Jessica, 9/30/2012
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" This is a great overview of American History. Johnson covers a lot of material quickly, so in some outside resources are helpful when trying to really understand what has happened in our 200+ years of history. "
- Michelle, 8/22/2012
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" Years ago, got 300 pages into this but then got sidetracked. Have restarted and am loving it. "
- Adam, 7/16/2012
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" Good until near the end where it changed from history to social comment. "
- Karl, 6/30/2012
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" I am always amazed to find how little I know, after reading Johnson's books. "
- Mary, 12/13/2011
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" One of the few general surveys of all of US history I have read. An interesting perspective that balances out some other histories and historians perspectives; however, it is not without its flaws. "
- Michael, 10/2/2011
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" My favorite historian...very clear, very fair. Great book. "
- Michael, 9/30/2011
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" Conservative wanker and curmudgeon, but no matter as one should read it. I can see having advanced high school students reading it and A People's History of the United States, as a great contrast. (I much prefer the latter but have some respect for Johnson, if not his ideological commitments.) "
- Troy, 6/21/2011
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" Read this years ago and thought it was excellent. Reading his "Art" book now, in a very leisurely way. "
- Sara, 1/26/2011
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" By the time the book entered the 18th century I was ready to shoot myself. This an example of History at its worst: A total obsession with numbers, factoids, and names at the detriment of conveying concepts.
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- Philip, 12/17/2010
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" Reading now and enjoying the in-depth analysis.
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- Chris, 8/13/2010
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" I have tried--I mean really tried--to read this book, twice. It it a 1,006 pg. sleeping pill. I loved Johnson's book on Washington, but it was 1/16th of the size of this monster. Every time I open this book, it's like I took two Lunestas and washed them down with red wine. I surrender.
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- Michael, 6/21/2010
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" This was my favorite book in all of my college classes. It is written by an English man, so the perspective is a little different. But I loved this book! One of the most intense studies of a single book I have ever done, aside from the Book of Mormon ;)
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- Kara, 5/5/2010
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" This is simply the most amazing chronological history of the American people I have read. The details of things we thought we knew about are so intriguing, they make normally dull reading into a real page-turner.
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- David, 5/1/2010
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" A rich history of America from Columbus to '90s.
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- Bill, 4/12/2010
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" Years ago, got 300 pages into this but then got sidetracked. Have restarted and am loving it.
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- Adam, 2/20/2010
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" This book is pretty solid when it comes to history before 1900. But the author goes on a huge conservative tirade when dealing with the 20th century. Fair and balanced? I think not...
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- Evan, 2/12/2010
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" Good antidote to modern academia
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- John, 1/12/2010
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