Reviews

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen

alidottie's review against another edition

3.0

This book is full of information I find interesting, but it was just too long. He went on longer than necessary on each topic.

tpl's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

seattlehols16's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

suebrownreads's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book, and although I knew much of this information now (book was written in the 90's), I find the discussion regarding why so much of the truth is left out of our history text books a fascinating one. The author brings up the point, are we a true democracy when we outright tell lies about our history and omit much of our history to create a certain portrait of America for our students? Are we grooming the "American that we want to create?" Another point he brings up is that so many teachers who teach history may not be history majors and are probably unaware of many of the lies and misinformation in our text books. Interesting. This author has another book called "Lies Across America." It is on my "To Read" list and I am really looking forward to it!

nderiley's review against another edition

5.0

A must read. This book takes on its head, the point I offer after reading many other, more specific history books. How do we not know about things like Teddy Roosevelt's hand in pissing off the Japanese, for example? Americans need to know their real history and stop keeping our collective heads in the sand, assuming we've always done the right thing.

kassandrahg's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.5

tangiblereads's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Lies My Teach Told Me is what I needed when I didn't know I needed it.  I'm glad to do the work to learn for myself.  Teaching of history should definitely be overhauled.  This book would make a great supplement to American school teaching (if only administrators/politicians would care for you to know it).  I'd advocate for something like this to be added to maybe mandatory optional summer reading lists.  Many parents need to read this too.  Knowledge is power; however, many people in the majority don't want the minority to have that power, but that is a whole other lesson.  Hence, what this book talks about.   

I love it covered a huge variety of topics from colonialism, racism, class structure, sexism, teaching style, who writes text books, politics, private corporations influence on politics and foreign affairs, and the environment.  I took more notes reading this book than any other book I have read.  I'd suggest people buy this book physically and annotate in it.  I will say this book has a strong point of view which leads toward biasness.  It also leaves out certain details to show the complete story, which I wouldn't mind knowing.  Like how did Republications who were first on the side of minorities, then flip to be against them.  Overall, great book that sparks a conversation.  I'm glad to have read it. #netgalley

scylla87's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

bhgold1711's review

informative

4.5

mjkroske's review against another edition

3.0

I made it most of the way through this book. It may be a little biased, but aren't we all? Really glad that I got to learn more about Christopher Columbus and Native Americans. Interesting how history can be skewed good or evil by changing politics and enlightenment.