Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong | 
 enlarge | Author: James W. Loewen
Publisher: Touchstone
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  413 reviews
Sales Rank: 1565
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 0743296281
Dewey Decimal Number: 973
EAN: 9780743296281
ASIN: 0743296281
Publication Date: October 16, 2007
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Product Description
Winner of the American Book Award and the Oliver C. Cox
Anti-Racism Award of The American Sociological Association Americans have lost touch with their history, and in Lies My Teacher Told Me Professor James Loewen shows why. After surveying eighteen leading high school American history texts, he has concluded that not one does a decent job of making history interesting or memorable. Marred by an embarrassing combination of blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, and outright lies, these books omit almost all the ambiguity, passion, conflict, and drama from our past. In this revised edition, packed with updated material, Loewen explores how historical myths continue to be perpetuated in today's climate and adds an eye-opening chapter on the lies surrounding 9/11 and the Iraq War. From the truth about Columbus's historic voyages to an honest evaluation of our national leaders, Loewen revives our history, restoring the vitality and relevance it truly possesses. Thought provoking, nonpartisan, and often shocking, Loewen unveils the real America in this iconoclastic classic beloved by high school teachers, history buffs, and enlightened citizens across the country.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 408 more reviews...
 One Third History -- Two Thirds Oratory July 23, 2008
I was extremely disappointed in this book. I don't argue with the majority of what the author has to say, or most of his information, but it seems as if every other paragraph he's telling you why misinformation is a bad thing, how you've been duped, his opinion on why you've been duped, and what you should be doing about it. Not a bad idea in small doses, however, the non-stop rhetoric distracts from the information he's providing. I found the book tiring after a mere 50 pages.
If you've read nothing but history textbooks from high school, a lot of the information contained within these pages might surprise you, as well as keep you interested. If you're a history buff there's not a lot new here.
I don't dispute the author's basic message, only his seeming determination to repeat it ad nauseam. Do yourself a favor and read the intro, absorb the premise, look for your own primary sources (Compare, compare, compare!) and easier-to-digest secondary sources, then as the author seems to recommend--think it through for yourself.
Axe to grind....right down to the handle. July 17, 2008
I must begin by saying that the author has some very valid points to make...actually, about 4 or 5. The points are then belaboured and repeated to the point where you think: "Didn't he already say this three times already?". This book came out during the very popular, "everything is so dammed Eurocentric" sentiment bandwagon of the 90s. The question is whether you wish to teach kids to be so incredibly cynical as a learning foundation. It's a bit like reading a book on the world by Abbie Hoffman. There's truth in there somewhere but you have to filter out the ranting--and there's a lot of that! To be honest, the truth is probably somewhere in between.
 Brilliant and reviving July 15, 2008
My U.S. History teacher taught on this form of work... but to have it all down in writting to review and show to other people, or on hand for quotes... I love the quotations Loewen uses at the beginning of each chapter, and the reference given to each textbook he reviewed... and if you thought U.S. History was boring, it was because you were not told the truth. So get this book and learn the reality you were lied to about.
Making History Interesting July 10, 2008
I want to focus on one particular aspect of this wonderful book; the description of the typical high school history textbooks. Looking back at the texts I realize that for an adult to even want to continue reading non-fiction after having to go through the bland, washed out, noncommital non narrative that is American high school history is a wonder in itself. He did a pretty good job of describing just how high school text books portray events and it's no wonder I never connected with the text; there was nothing to connect with.
A must read for everyone in america July 7, 2008
While high school history textbooks aren't a major authority on history, they are the only history most of the US citizens will receive and at least partially remember. What they will come to learn slowly, too slowly, over time is that most of the attitude taken in these books is dangerously biased and sometimes all out wrong.
It can be dry in some parts but just fast forward if you think your done with the topic. You may miss some interesting things though so just try and sit through all of it.
Recommended before teaching any history course.
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