Don’t Know Much About History: Everything you need to know about American history but never learned.
By: Kenneth C. Davis
This book will make an interesting supplemental or additional reading to your curriculum. If you are familiar with the children’s series than you know how interesting this book will be!
Book Synopsis:
First published two decades ago, when the “closing of the American mind” was in the headlines, Don’t Know Much About History proved Americans don’t hate history—just the dull version that was dished out in school. With wit and irreverence, in question-and-answer form, Don’t Know Much About History took readers on a rollicking ride through more than five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s voyages to recent events. The book became an instant classic and has sold more than 1.6 million copies.
Now Davis has brought his groundbreaking work up to the present, including the history of an “Era of Broken Trust,” from the end of the Clinton administration through the recent Great Recession. This additional material covers the horrific events of 9/11 and the rise of conspiracy theorists, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the New Orleans levees, the global financial meltdown, the election of Barack Obama, and the national controversy of same-sex marriage.
My Thoughts:
I have a few books of the Don’t Know Much About History for children. I have found the books to be delightful and truly kept my children’s attention. The layout is interesting and the facts and history are mesmerizing. Being a lover of history, I knew I had to get the newly expanded and updated version for adults. I also wanted to give this book to my middle school student as supplemental reading. I know she will be fully engaged by the information presented and the writing style. I have always suggested the children’s books and used them regularly in my homeschool. Now, I will have an version for my older students to read. If you want to learn some little known facts about American history this is the book for you. Keep in mind, this book covers controversial issues so you may want to consider the audience who will be reading the book. I think this book makes a great book for read alouds, special projects, supplemental and something to read together.