Kenneth C. Davis presents a collection of extraordinary stories, each detailing an overlooked episode that shaped the nation’s destiny and character. Davis’s dramatic narratives set the record straight, busting myths and bringing to light little-known but fascinating facts from a time when the nation’s fate hung in the balance.
Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, AMERICA’S HIDDEN HISTORY explores these episodes, among others: The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists • The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs, which may have spread disease to many Native Americans • The long, bloody relationship between the Puritans and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast • The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!
Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, AMERICA’S HIDDEN HISTORY proves why Davis is truly America’s teacher.
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"A light and quick read for a history book. Not terribly profound, but contains some things they didn't teach in school that are worth knowing. I remain struck by how deeply the shaping of American history was impacted by the bloody battle between Catholicism and Protestantism and by how brutal and savage that battle was."
— Doug (4 out of 5 stars)
" Popcorn history by a master of the genre. "
— Edward, 2/7/2014" This book is about the stories that we never learned in school. Full of fun gory stories I highly recommend this book. "
— MJ, 1/31/2014" This book seemed more like a political statement by Kenneth C. Davis than a history book. "
— Tlnorz, 1/30/2014" A pretty good fast read, especially if you want to review American history in a painless way. Learned a few tid-bits I did not know previously. "
— Helen, 1/3/2014" The stories were interesting but I did not enjoy the reader. "
— Beth, 12/25/2013" it was interesting, but it didn't blow my socks off like "Lies my teachers Told Me". Parts of it were quite dry. "
— Lorie, 11/2/2013" Fun history book. Very easy to read with a lot of fun facts. h "
— Nina, 4/5/2013" An interesting book and well worth the read, but although I am interested in history, especially what doesn't make it into history books, or is barely glossed over, this didn't quite measure up. Worth a read though. "
— Autumn, 5/10/2012" It had some interesting and new stuff, but if you know your history, some of it isn't actually all that "hidden". A good read anyway. "
— Richard, 2/16/2012" I actually listened to this book. I thought I might learn some little known facts about the founding of our country, but I didn't learn too much new here. If you read a lot of American history, you probably won't discover much new information here. "
— Julie, 1/1/2012" Great book. Very engaging and enjoyable. Davis writes in an accessible style that reminds readers that history is, at its core, a series of stories. I definitely recommend this book. "
— Heather, 9/9/2011" Davis writes an engrossing account of some of the lesser known moments of early American history. There's nothing new here: I've encountered all of these moments before. But what is compelling is the collection and the storytelling. The earlier chapters are the best, and all are worth the attention. "
— David, 7/13/2011" Very interesting look at some of the lesser-known figures in American history. Not an in-depth delving, but an excellent overview of some of the people and events that shaped the country and are not taught in school. "
— Rick, 6/14/2011" I thought this was a good book. It was very interesting. "
— Cindy, 5/31/2011" as dry as a high school history class... well, mine anyways. Everything in this book was left out of the history books for a reason... irrelevant. "
— Keely, 5/9/2011" I learned so much about America's history that even I didn't know. It's all about Revolutionary War and before so don't expect recent history to be in here. Totally fascinating. "
— Karen, 2/23/2011" I listened to the audiobook. It was interesting, but only read/listen to if you're really, really into American history. "
— Jessi, 1/18/2011" Really interesting and lesser known stories about American History throught the writing of the Constitution. "
— Annm, 12/15/2010" Fun history book. Very easy to read with a lot of fun facts. h "
— Nina, 10/22/2010" A pretty good fast read, especially if you want to review American history in a painless way. Learned a few tid-bits I did not know previously. "
— Helen, 10/19/2010" I always enjoy reading books by Kenneth C. Davis- full of interesting little known facts and spellbinding stories. <br/>Great reference book! "
— Mary, 9/8/2010" It had some interesting and new stuff, but if you know your history, some of it isn't actually all that "hidden". A good read anyway. "
— Richard, 8/16/2010" Not nearly as exciting and "hidden" a history lesson as the title implied. "
— Julianne, 7/27/2010" I love history books, but this one was a medium read. I did learn a few new facts that appreciated. "
— Catherine, 7/21/2010Kenneth C. Davis is an American popular historian and the author of the Don’t Know Much About® series with more than four million copies in print worldwide. He is a frequent media guest on national television and radio, has written for the Op-Ed page of the New York Times, and has been a commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Sam Freed is an actor, voice talent, and audiobook narrator.