America Past and Present, Single Volume Edition

by Robert A. Divine, T.H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson

America Past and Present integrates the social and political dimensions of American history into one rich chronological narrative, providing students with a full picture of the scope and complexity of the American past. Writing in a lively narrative style to tell the story of all Americans–elite and ordinary, women and men, rich and poor, white majority and minorities–the authors, six active, publishing, and award-winning historians, bring history to life for readers.

Genres: History, American History, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Politics

1120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Robert A. Divine joined the faculty of the University of Texas in 1954 as a professor of history. He served as Chairman of the Department of History and the Committee on International Studies, and a member of the interim committee that helped with the organization of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University. In addition, he served as president of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and authored eleven books. He retired in 1996.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

After nearly a year of reading this textbook, I feel very qualified to give my opinion.

I read this for AP US History. It's actually the first textbook I have read cover to cover, and it is a very long one at that. I'm going to divide this review into what I liked about it, and what I absolutely detested.

Positive:
It has abundant resources. I appreciated the Appendix possibly more than the text. Good information about presidents, supreme court justices, the Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, etc. These were really helpful resources. Also, the index was helpful in the beginning before I realized the internet was a far better resource for looking up details. With regard to the chapters, I appreciated the organization. It was pretty consistent, and that made it easy to know where I was at and what I could expect with each topic. The information was usually consistent with what I was learning in class, and it helped by adding a narrative to all the details that are necessary to know in this course.

Negative:
It is so long. Does it need to be that long? No. It really doesn't. There were some incredibly random details, feature essays, law and society articles, etc. that were completely unnecessary to understand or explain in further detail than a few sentences, but no. That would be too easy. You really had to dig to find the details, and I would not have made it through the textbook if not for my trusty pencil. There's also an absurd lack of digital documentation, and the text to photo ratio stinks. That being said, this is a textbook, so that's to be expected. The bias on certain topics was also really frustrating, which made it difficult to just read straight history.


In conclusion, I would only recommend the textbook reading to APUSH students, or those who really want a comprehensive detailed overview of general US History. I do not think it is a good study resource, and I do not think that most high school students will find it helpful unless they are very visual and literary people.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, America Past and Present, my old frenemy. I remember all those nights I spent with you: stressing and worrying and waking up with highlighter on my face. I remember waking up after three hours of sleep feeling gross because I hadn't showered the night before and red eyes because I slept in my contacts. Sometimes I liked you when I went to study group and we quizzed each other over coffee. You were even useful when I wanted to kill the fly on my ceiling.

Still, I am glad to be done with you. I actually sleep at night now without a crank in my neck from sleeping on a textbook. I shower every day, and I have free time on the weekends. I don't have to freak out over anything AP, just getting into college (which I have already). Overall, I don't miss you, America Past and Present. I don't think anyone ever misses you. I do wish I could get someone to buy you off me though. That would be nice.

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite eye-opening in regards to true american history. Would read again, although only some parts. Cannot wait for 2016 election to make the sequel

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is for BYU History 220- (American History to 1877).--- Whew, got it done! This books reads very smoothly and I looked forward to reading the chapters. So, as far as my textbooks have gone, this one was better than most of the others.

I felt they gave an unbiased view of the events leading up to and during the civil war in regards to the south. The only complaint I have was that it was very heavy handed on the women's rights-not so unbiased. They were heavy handed on "The Cult of Domesticity," and how women were forced to endure servitude by bearing endless children and being forced into marriage with horrible men. Blah, blah, blah.... They also talked in detail about every presidential election and each president. I learned a whole lot of interesting things!!!

My book was not a combined edition. It was volume one-"American History up to 1877." I'm sure I'll be reading volume two for my next class "American History from 1877 to Present."

[Nineveh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first textbook that I've read almost all of, word for word. It is a very good book, and it prepared me well for the AP test. It is very detailed though, which I found helpful in trying to attribute mood and specifics to events, eras, leaders. I didn't find it laborious to read, because the details are actually what made it interesting.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book had a slightly noticeable bias towards liberal politics, but was still able to provide an objective account for the most part. feature essays were interesting. however, it was terribly dull at times. would not read again or recommend to a friend.

[Katie Strausser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has changed my life. Interpret that any way you want.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't enjoy reading textbooks, and this one was no exception.

[Kare · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I have ever read a whole textbook before. Word for word. Bleh.