"Don't Know Much About History" by Kenneth C. Davis: Uncover the Fascinating Details of American History You Never Knew!

T. Anschutz: Considering the scope of this book -- covering American history from "discovery" of the Americas to the Obama administration -- it covers the topic with a satisfactory amount of depth at a pace that keeps the reader engaged. The writing style didn't feel dumbed down but was still accessible and readable, and the author tackles both the highs and lows of American history with equal attention and comparable amounts of objectivity. Quotes from primary sources are supplied throughout, as are recommendations for additional reading. Readers interested in a scholarly yet accessible approach to American history will likely enjoy the book -- readers looking for antiquated beliefs about American exceptionalism and other white-washed ideas may not.

United States on Jul 27, 2023

Iason Conyers: This book goes in detail with our American history. I read this whole book in one week. Easy to read and understand. I now have it in our restroom for my guest to read and when they come out someone knows just a bit more about our great country. From the good and bad, history is a must.

United States on Feb 16, 2023

mat brown: smashing

United Kingdom on Mar 29, 2018

Sunny Day !: I received it on 26 August ( it arrived earlier than I had expected ). The book itself is very interesting. School text books very often describe the fabricated history ( especially regarding wars ) to convince the people for jusification of the government's wrong decision and we tend to have biased vision about it, however, we ourselves should always try to have another view point in order to verify the truth with more flexible mental atrtitude. This book can give us such opportunities.

United Kingdom on Sep 04, 2015

Kendra: Such a great book! I've been intimidated while reading up or studying American history before, but this book is very user friendly. It's easy to find main events from a period in history and get more information as wanted. What I appreciate most is that Davis acknowledges different points of view. He neither demonizes nor idealizes historical figures. As a future teacher, I've really wanted to know the facts from the opinions! Take Christopher Columbus for example (a very controversial figure these days). Davis debunks the common myths (ex. what did he really discover?), while acknowledging BOTH his great successes and his devastating errors. Personally, I think this is critical when reflecting on historical events and how they've shaped our country today. In general, you'll encounter different current historical interpretations and explanations of how culture impacted each era.

United States on Apr 22, 2015

Paris L. Smith: I have to say that I really, really loved this book - to my surprise! It was assigned as the text book for a Legal Analysis of U.S. History class. However, it's really not a legal book at all. My only complaint is that it is definitely written with a little bit of a liberal buyist and slant. However, other than that it is excellent and super interesting. It's not like the super boring history text books of childhood and not long that way either. It makes this stuff really real, relevant and highly interesting. This book covers America from 1492 with Columbus and the Indians to President Obama! It was really shocking for me to learn just how we got "HERE" on so many different subjects (even including our relationship with Iran and the mess of North Korea, and who were the pilgrims and first settlers here really anyway). It answers all the questions you could possibly have. Amazing reading!

United States on Dec 22, 2014

Cathryn Conroy: Where else can you get an easy-to-read overview of 500 years of American history--from who really discovered America to how we elected our first black president--and have FUN reading it? I saw author Kenneth C. Davis interviewed on CNN and was mesmerized by what he had to say and how he said it. When they flashed his credentials on the screen as the author of this book, I bought it immediately. This isn't your high school or college history textbook. This one is so much fun you might even stay up past your bedtime reading it! Quite simply, read this book and you'll be quite literate when it comes to the big facts about our nation's past--whether you want to win at Trivial Pursuit, impress someone at a cocktail party or (most important) develop an understanding of why and how things happened THEN that deeply impact our NOW.

United States on Sep 29, 2014

ticchi3: Funny, interesting and easy to read. If all books were like this one people would read history all the time!

France on Jan 01, 2014

H. Hellwig: I had the unabridged 1990/1995-version on compact cassettes (heard it through >10 times from beginning to end) and bought this for an update. Dick Estell read it far better - he thought about what he read, he "lived" it, whereas Arthur Morey's reading is superficial (is that the right word? - I'm a German) - Morey does not transmit Davis' emotional writing. Estell did!
This abridged 5-CD version is (for my taste) also much too short. Esp. the 18th/19th century, plus the period until Carter are reduced to some crucial events, and so many interesting parts were victims to the shortening.
To the historically interested, I'd recommend the unabridged version - however: that's 29 hours! And available on Audible only, as far as I know. If you want that, but don't have audible, buy a used old one (which has the huge advantage of Dick Estell as the narrator!), plus this 6,5hr update, esp. for the period from Bush sr. to Obama.
Anyhow - for a 6.5hr-rush through American History - this anniversary edition is still perfect.
As others pointed out, this recommendation is mainly for liberal or open minds. Davis does not evade or downplay dirty spots in America's history or it's...

Germany on Jun 06, 2013

Yank Abroad: I really like everything written by Kenneth Davis. This is no exception. In fact, I liked it so much that I've given it as a Christmas present.

United Kingdom on Dec 06, 2011