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1.04k reviews for:
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
James W. Loewen
4.04 AVERAGE
1.04k reviews for:
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
James W. Loewen
4.04 AVERAGE
A very interesting dissection of the paucity of honesty in mist traditional history text books largely focussed on America but you'd have to be naive to assume another nations history is much better than the myth of America.
I actually learned a lot, I genuinely did not know the Democrats were pro slavery for example so this is definitely a good book if you are interested in why history is such a political battleground and how it can be better taught.
I actually learned a lot, I genuinely did not know the Democrats were pro slavery for example so this is definitely a good book if you are interested in why history is such a political battleground and how it can be better taught.
This is a really fascinating read. This is perfect for anyone who wants to know the real history of America that you're not taught in school. This book effortless pulls apart the lies told by history teachers across the US. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Overall a good book, except for a few mistakes, the most glaring of which being that JFK was not killed by Castro as the book insinuates. Also Charles Mann's 1491 has basically eliminated any estimate of American Indian populations being under 15 million before Columbus. But, overall an enjoyable work all the same.
After a thorough review of many high school history textbooks, the author points out glaring omissions, truth bending, and flat out lies, which changed each of the books from being a tool for education, to a tool that advertised American exceptionalism. In addition, it’s clear that even though the United States has rich history that includes a wide variety of diverse cultures, ideas, and achievements, all of the textbooks he reviewed were completely Euro-centric.
The author also discusses how textbooks white wash our history, and creates hero’s of certain men, ignoring any major flaws that caused great harm to our country or the people in it. (ex. Columbus, Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, etc.)
When I started reading this, I thought “but, my history points out negative events? I learned about the trail of tears and slavery?” However, the author points out that the textbooks do a good job calling out out victims, but rarely the culprits. Quote from book: “Apparently there were 9000 slaves but no slave owners.”
Theres also a section that highlight how our textbooks make presidents look virtuous, our government the most well functioning, and that the US has always been the international good guys. This is a complete distortion of history, and ignores the many occasions where our society, the people in it, had to PUSH the government (presidents included!) TOWARDS justice and equality. These things were not bestowed on us because we had a great president who deemed it so….hundreds or thousands had to fight for that progress.
All in all the book was extremely informative, and I appreciated all the specific examples and direct contradiction he was able to provide. Worth a read!
The author also discusses how textbooks white wash our history, and creates hero’s of certain men, ignoring any major flaws that caused great harm to our country or the people in it. (ex. Columbus, Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, etc.)
When I started reading this, I thought “but, my history points out negative events? I learned about the trail of tears and slavery?” However, the author points out that the textbooks do a good job calling out out victims, but rarely the culprits. Quote from book: “Apparently there were 9000 slaves but no slave owners.”
Theres also a section that highlight how our textbooks make presidents look virtuous, our government the most well functioning, and that the US has always been the international good guys. This is a complete distortion of history, and ignores the many occasions where our society, the people in it, had to PUSH the government (presidents included!) TOWARDS justice and equality. These things were not bestowed on us because we had a great president who deemed it so….hundreds or thousands had to fight for that progress.
All in all the book was extremely informative, and I appreciated all the specific examples and direct contradiction he was able to provide. Worth a read!
I enjoyed the nuance it lent to history. I plan to talk to other trusted history lovers about some of the finer points.
The textbook aspect of it was boring to me personally. I stopped short the last two chapters because as someone who didn’t attend public school, or teach in a public school it was tedious and boring. Ironic considering he’s addressing boring text books hahaha
I think my favorite segment was about John Brown and Reconstruction. I’ve read quite a lot on the reconstruction period, but never really got the pulse of what was going on. This summarized it quite well. I hope to read more on that topic.
Oh also, living in Oklahoma I particularly the parts about native history. The reframing of topic and language has given me a lot to think about.
The textbook aspect of it was boring to me personally. I stopped short the last two chapters because as someone who didn’t attend public school, or teach in a public school it was tedious and boring. Ironic considering he’s addressing boring text books hahaha
I think my favorite segment was about John Brown and Reconstruction. I’ve read quite a lot on the reconstruction period, but never really got the pulse of what was going on. This summarized it quite well. I hope to read more on that topic.
Oh also, living in Oklahoma I particularly the parts about native history. The reframing of topic and language has given me a lot to think about.
Fantastic and chilling. Not only does Loewen expose true history unapologetically but shows the systemic censorship and control in the education system.
Nothing short of a rebuild from the ground up will do. Teach yourself history all of history with critical sources. This is a good first step.
Nothing short of a rebuild from the ground up will do. Teach yourself history all of history with critical sources. This is a good first step.
This book does a great job of pointing out that reading/hearing/memorizing something is not the same as learning about it.
informative
medium-paced
A bit heavy-handed at times, this was a very interesting read. It goes a long way toward explaining why I found history to be incredibly dull until college.
informative
tense
fast-paced
This was a fantastic book. The author debunked some things I had been taught and also debunked some of the over corrections I had begun to believe. Half a point off because he was a true believer in capitalism. The research aspect was phenomenal and the writing was wonderful.