Product Description

Now revised–the friendly, easy–to–understand guide to the story of America

Since the publication of first edition of U.S. History For Dummies, significant events have reshaped thoughts about everything from oil consumption to mortgages to presidential candidates. This updated guide to the fascinating events and people of America′s past and present features new and revised material covering the attacks of September 11th, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2004 and 2008 elections, and other recent events that have shaped recent U.S. history. From pre–Columbus to the American Revolution, from the two World Wars to Watergate and beyond, it makes the topic accessible for students at all levels, as well as for parents and teachers who may need a quick refresher.

Steve Wiegand (Hometown TK) is an award–winning political journalist and history writer. He currently writes a thrice–weekly political column for the Sacramento Bee.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98435 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

From the Back Cover

Now revised — the easy–to–understand guide to the story of America

Want to better understand U.S. History? This friendly book serves as your tour guide through the important events of America′s past and present, introducing you to the people who helped to shape history. From pre–Columbus to the American Revolution, from Watergate to Iraq to Barack Obama, you′ll discover fascinating details that you won′t find in dry history texts!

• They′re coming to America — explore early civilizations, meet Native Americans, and see how the development of the English colonies led to slavery and the American Revolution

• From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln — examine the contributions of great Americans as well as the discovery of gold, the birth of California, the Civil War, and Manifest Destiny

• America grows up — be there during the conquering of the West, industrial development, and the invention of the light bulb and the telephone

• The impact of the World Wars — understand the sweeping changes these epochal events brought to America and the rest of the world

• The Cold War, Camelot, and Clinton — take a closer look at the Korean War and communism, the fabulous ′50s, JFK, Vietnam, Nixon and Watergate, Reaganomics, and the Clinton years

• From the ′90s to now — witness the birth of the microchip, the impact of hanging chads in a presidential election, the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and the growing economic crisis

Open the book and find:

• Ten important events that defined American culture

• Interesting Americans, from presidents to gangsters to sports heroes

• How America fought to win independence from England

• Details about all the major wars and their long–term effects

• Insight into the roots of slavery

• Inventions that changed life for Americans

• The impact of the atomic bomb

• The Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence

About the Author

Steve Wiegand is an award–winning political journalist and history writer. He currently writes a thrice–weekly political column for the Sacramento Bee.

Customer Reviews

average
This book was useful in helping me with my history degree. However, it needs to be used in conjunction with another book. the information is there, but it is not very detailed. It is a good book, if you want snippets of history to help you recap events.