Teaching What Really Happened: How to Avoid the Tyranny of Textbooks and Get Students Excited About Doing History

by James W. Loewen

"Should be in the hands of every history teacher in the country."-- Howard Zinn

James Loewen has revised Teaching What Really Happened, the bestselling, go-to resource for social studies and history teachers wishing to break away from standard textbook retellings of the past. In addition to updating the scholarship and anecdotes throughout, the second edition features a timely new chapter entitled Truth that addresses how traditional and social media can distort current events and the historical record. Helping students understand what really happened in the past will empower them to use history as a tool to argue for better policies in the present. Our society needs engaged citizens now more than ever, and this book offers teachers concrete ideas for getting students excited about history while also teaching them to read critically. It will specifically help teachers and students tackle important content areas, including Eurocentrism, the American Indian experience, and slavery.

Book Features:


An up-to-date assessment of the potential and pitfalls of U.S. and world history education. Information to help teachers expect, and get, good performance from students of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Strategies for incorporating project-oriented self-learning, having students conduct online historical research, and teaching historiography. Ideas from teachers across the country who are empowering students by teaching what really happened. Specific chapters dedicated to five content topics usually taught poorly in today's schools.

Genres: History, Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, American History, Professional Development, World History

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2009

About the author

A professor of sociology, James W. Loewen earned his bachelor's degree at Carleton College in 1964, and his master's (1967) and doctorate (1968) degrees from Harvard University. Loewen taught at Touglaloo College from 1968 until 1975, and at the University of Vermont from 1975 until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1995.

Reviews

[Shomeret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's omissions that are the textbook issue. Loewen mentions that high school history textbooks didn't include the fact that in the 18th century Wall Street was where slave owners went to sell the labor of their slaves, and others hired their labor. Since I lived in New York when I was in high school, learning this aspect of the history of Wall Street would have been a way for me to understand how slavery was integrated into urban New York society. Like most high school students, I thought at the time that slavery was something that happened on Southern plantations. I didn't know about slavery in New York.

Even if textbooks aren't localized, I think there should be a local element in the teaching of history. As a high school and college student I found it easy to relate to local history.

After reading this book, I'm willing to declare myself a fan of James W. Loewen. It may be difficult to uncover historical truth in some cases, but I applaud Loewen for prioritizing it and showing the importance of historical truth for all of us.

For the blog version of this review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably better for new or preservice teachers, not for veterans. Loewen makes a lot of assumptions about what teachers, students, and the public know and don’t know about history. But, he does offer some good teaching strategies.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Again, history textbooks—and courses centered on “learning” history textbooks—downplay critical thinking. Almost never does a textbook suggest more than one possible answer and invite students to assess evidence for each. Instead, they tell the right answers, over and over, in their sleep-inducing godlike monotone."

I will admit that I didn't get through the whole book before my copy was returned to the library, but I plan on purchasing this as well as his first book, Lies My Teacher Told Me.

I am no longer in the teaching profession, but education is incredibly important to me. As a parent I'm taking these things on myself rather than relying on our small town education system (which I love). My goal is for my boys to think critically and this book helps with that perspective.

[Reagan Kuennen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! Something useful!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I think this was a solid four-star book for various reasons. I still find the flaw that Loewen mentions in his other work too many times because it took away from the point of this book. I also have issues with his stereotyping of teachers as women and always using the pronouns ‘her’ for a teacher. Teachers can be of any gender and using the pronoun ‘they’ would have been more inclusive. While Loewen has an understanding of racial discrimination, he needs education on gender discrimination. I do see this book particularly useful for US history teachers, but it would be nice to have tips for World History teachers as well (yes I am aware this was written targeted towards the US History curriculum but why does US History matter more than World History, shouldn’t they both get equal frameworks and tips for improvement).

[fj baggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after reading Loewen's "Lies" earlier this year. I found after reading "Teaching" that my US History course hits many of the topics described in this book, which made me feel good about where I am a teacher of US History. There are some excellent ideas for projects in this book, which I am excited to try out in the coming school year. Only four stars because I found Loewen's explanations for historical trends in race relations at times too simplistic. Still, I would recommend this book to any high school history teacher. For those outside of teaching, I would recommend Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Taught Me" which has been updated and reissued just last month!

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide on how to change history lessons from boring lectures into exciting discussion and projects that actually require students to think. A big focus is put on critically analyzing the received wisdom that we get in textbooks and history classes. The author challenges us to really think about what happened. With just a little though, you'll be surprised at how your thinking about American history will change. This is a must-read for teachers and parents.

[Courtney Konopacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preface my review by saying that there should be two separate ratings for this book. When it comes to challenging pedagogy and ideology on having a textbook at the heart of a history class, this book is very good. However, I found it weak in providing new ideas and methods of teaching history. Read the book to shift your perspective, not to find “ready to use” ideas to implement in your class.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent starter book for teachers of American history.

[Christina Potter Bieloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I really like history and this book gave me lots to think about.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Very informative- second half is really excellent.

[Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very much geared towards US History teachers, which worked for me, but if you teach a different history course it may be less directly relevant. Nearly all the content referenced is US History prior to the World Wars.
While there were some little things in Teaching What Really Happened that seemed a bit dated (the field of history education and technology have both changed since its publication), I loved the book overall. Next year I will be teaching US History for the first time and Loewen gave me lots of ideas, both about how to frame my course and about specific ways to present material. He is very articulate about not only the importance of teaching history, but of teaching it right, in a way that empowers students to become informed/engaged/critically-thinking citizens. I would strongly recommend this book to US history teachers.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, as I’ve come to expect from him. I loved the good suggestions on how to teach these topics - it made me wish I taught history in a larger class, but it’ll also come in handy with my children. The examples he gave of students who have truly engaged with history and the present were inspiring. I can only hope I can help others engage with our history and present so well. If only everyone did, imagine how much we would all benefit our country!

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explanations and great classroom conversations to be had and teaching ideas to be used on some of the toughest topics I teach to middle schoolers. His idea for the 30-50 main ideas I feel needs to be taught has clarified the "what" I teach during the year as there never seems to be enough time. Great book, strongly recommended.

[Nolan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for teachers of history and social studies. Focusing on skills and concepts important to the study of history, the book spends more time than I'd like looking at historical examples than on pedagogy. It feels a little unfocused for that reason. However, the advice present is solid. I just wish it went into more thorough detail on the teaching side of things.

[Debbie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters were really good, but the rest overlapped a whole lot with Lies My Teacher Told Me. Wish the two books had gotten integrated as one.

Not really many tips on how to teach - just presentation of some of the problems a topic is usually taught, and recommendation that the kids research various topics.

[Karen Melk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read. This. Book.
Get some facts on your side when you need to rebut ridiculous arguments that are against improving the way Social Studies and History is taught in schools. When people start in with “anti-CRT” claims, know some quick facts to rebut their opinions.

Why teach history, if we aren’t going to teach what really happened?

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book years ago and finally finished (and reread) recently. I’m amazed at how much is more relevant than ever. Historiography is the single most important thing we aren’t teaching in high school history classes.

[Kelly Heil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all teachers of history. We need to understand that textbooks do have a bias and how we as educators can help steer our students through those biases.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

History teachers across K-12 should read this! Much of my own history education came from textbooks and I hope to help stop that trend as a teacher myself.

[Sean Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable resource for teachers. But so important for the rest of us. Why is it so hard to tell the truth about the past? Let's do the work, read primary sources and get it right.

[Jordan Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very smart and helpful book. Very interesting especially for future educators to read, but it felt like it could’ve been consolidated more

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for school

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book, especially the first 4 chapters that cover the bigger picture of history as a whole! The last 6 chapters delve into specific topics that will be covered on any competent US History course. In said chapters Loewen gives an explanation of the issues with current coverage as well as a discussion on how these difficult conversations can make history actually engaging.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on education for social studies teachers. Loewen is at times a bit over the top, and is as biased as those he criticizes, however, there are some thoughtful questions throughout th e book. I read this with my social studies department, and it was the cause of several discussions regarding methods, philosophy of education, as well as bias. I would caution many a reader, as Loewen is not a historian and it shows on several of his foci, however, his arguments are well worth reading and analyzing. One theme I especially enjoyed what the discussion of our historic myths and how they play out in misinforming citizens.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My circumstances have changed considerably since I began reading this book in 2010. I realized as I finished reading this that I will likely never use the wonderful advice detailed here. Loewen is great about stating the problem and explaining why its a problem while at the same time, guiding the reader to several possible corrective practices. While some of the book focuses on high school students, it is still applicable to first and second year students. I highly recommend this book for History teachers looking for new, better methods for improving student retention of historical content.

[Scott Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every history teacher should read Teaching What Really Happened.

I also recommend this book to anyone who has even a passing interest in history.

I do not think there is anything scandalous in suggesting that teachers should assign more interesting work than the textbook. Loewen explains not only the limits of textbooks, but also how most of them just plain get history wrong. He also provides suggestions for assignments that help teachers expect more from their students than merely memorizing data.

[Yveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snappy, to the point, engaging and immediately useful! Encouraging to see that many things I do are already on the right track and helpful to get some ideas for stretching myself and my students. Also some good arguments to use with resistant parents. Biggest surprise, loewen mentions the idea of having an advanced and regular stream within the same class! I am not alone in thinking this can be beneficial and worthwhile!!

[Miroku Nemeth]

James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me" is perhaps one of the most important books that people of conscious could read today and have in their library (next to Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States"). In this book, Loewen gives us more material to fight in these culture wars that are becoming so important today in the midst of the fear mongering and regressive politics of fear that is gripping some very vocal and very angry segments of American society.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar in content to Lies My Teacher Told Me, but with some helpful ideas for getting students to analyze sources, uncover bias, and see history as interpretation that changes over time. My biggest criticism is that he doesn't discuss ways of teaching anything after 1940 and half of his content chapters are about events before the founding of the U.S. Most helpful to me was his advice for choosing what to teach and how to not get stymied trying to teach it all.