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

4.04 AVERAGE

heathermassareads's review against another edition

4.0
At first, I thought this would be a little different. Mr. Loewen certainly knows a lot, and has referred to plenty of American History text books. This is a very academic book about the state of American high school history, about the culture of American pride, and the perpetuation (is that a word?) of American myth. I quite liked it. There were some good gossip-py parts and some very interesting discussions about how crappy Americans acted towards everybody in history.

lindshuff's review against another edition

5.0
This should be required reading for all adults who graduated from public high schools and for parents with children in schools who care about how our lack of history education contributes to societal problems today.
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sisaac_nouise's review against another edition

4.5
informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

sarahl_73's review against another edition

4.0
Looking at the past helps us understand the present. In this book, it shows the difference between the past portrayed and what actually happened! Even though this was written in the 90s, it was the perfect book to help understand current events - especially racism and the way history has inaccurately portrayed people of color in order to continue systemic racism.

rogers_matthewp's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 25%
The subject was not captivating to me 

marocmama's review against another edition

3.0
Good book but got a little long at the end...was waiting for it to end.
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christymcgee4018's review against another edition

4.0
A fascinating (and sometimes depressing and sometimes obvious) look at the way history books teach history. This book is not a critique on teachers, per say. And make sure you read the second edition.

It's interesting to think about social studies, but we get it without any of the social evaluated. No wonder I hated history, for all its rote memorization of mostly useless facts. We need to look back and think critically on history, and learn HOW to think critically for our present and our future.
crystalreading's profile picture

crystalreading's review against another edition

4.0


Enjoyed learning about the way our history texts have influenced what we teach and how. Often history is still taught as memorization of facts rather than an opportunity to reflect on how our nation has changed and why.

jhurl's review against another edition

5.0
informative sad medium-paced
Great book.  The author really knows and clearly has researched his topic.  Some common misconceptions that are still in our textbooks but also many others are highlighted.  I like that he isn't didactic in that there is one truth that these others are just wrong.  It seems the biggest shortcoming in all of the textbooks presenting only one view and missing the opportunity to engage in critical thinking - though the lies aren't so good either.  Of course, the state curriculum doesn't really want critical thinking, so it isn't hard to see how it devolves to these available textbooks. 
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carissa_1332's review against another edition

5.0
This book is a well accepted invitation to ask more questions of what we are taught and expected to believe. The author acknowledges many of the social issues that history textbooks gloss over and includes resources to learn more about every subject. They're aware of the uncovered topics or topics that may not be fully represented, and present sources for those too. This book left me furious, empowered, and ready to learn more.