Unlike other reviewers here, I just bought this for a bit of light reading. It presents American history doing it 'slant' (against the grain). It flags up American double-dealing and hypocrisy, most of which is not really a secret, though I get the fact that it is rarely posted front and centre in American history textbooks.
On the plus side this means this book is not conspiracy-mongering, but covers genuine events: some fairly ruthless American self-assertion and clumsy world leadership. It certainly digs down past the benign self-image that America, like all nations, can have. But on the (ever-so-slight) minus side I thought the simple opposition view a bit misleading as well. History is rarely straightforward and motives are rarely simple or even unified. The generous, creative, progressive, assimilative and freedom-loving aspects should not be entirely edged out. The idea that all power is corrupt and self-serving is as misleading as the view that American power has only ever been about truth, justice and freedom.
Overall, I liked the writing style and the zip of it all - it never dragged or got bogged down; it was always lively, bright and informative. I liked the way it raised tricky issues and got behind the official view. I don't think it cheated, making things up or picking minor or unrepresentative events in the past. But, it was (purposefully) one-sided and a bit high-minded. For the ardent patriot I imagine this kind of equal-and-opposite account of the past is easy to dismiss. I know it is naive, but surely the point is to be more mature about history - preferring genuine understanding to point-scoring? I suggest you read it and see.
You don't need to own a Kindle device to enjoy Kindle books. Download one of our FREE Kindle apps to start reading Kindle books on all your devices.
-
Apple
-
Android
-
Windows Phone
-
Android
To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number.
![The Concise Untold History of the United States by [Oliver Stone, Peter Kuznick]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ws8-W091L._SY346_.jpg)
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer reviews
Review this product
Top reviews from other countries
North Yorkshire
Interesting survey of US misdemeanours
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2019Verified Purchase
J. C.
Follows the American series of the same name
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2020Verified Purchase
Bluejam
Recommended for younger generation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2020Verified Purchase
GIEL
A very important book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 December 2018Verified Purchase
Doig Simmonds
Knowing our history can redeem us
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2020Verified Purchase
