America: A Narrative History

by David Emory Shi

The best-selling narrative history that students love to read. America is the leading narrative history because students love to read it. Additional coverage of immigration enhances the timeliness of the narrative. New Chapter Overview videos, History Skills Tutorials, and Norton’s adaptive learning tool, InQuizitive, help students develop history skills, engage with the reading, and come to class prepared, while AP®-specific resources help teachers prepare lesson plans and assessments. AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

Genres: History

1776 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 1994

Reviews

[Elmira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and detailed! The author engages the reader through the captivating tides of American history. It never seemed vague. I loved all the specific fun fact and tangents the author provided. Throughout this year, this textbook was a safe space for me, and I loved every second of it. It was almost like a friend to me. Also, the author’s commentary was very complex and analytical, but it was also funny at times, which I enjoyed. Overall, this textbook includes interesting, detailed, and sometimes hilarious facts about history.

[Trace Buckner · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a textbook, it wasn’t horrible.

[elsa r. · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m so glad this is over
pretty decent for a school textbook though

[Darrell Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

At one time, for a previous edition, I gave this history textbook high praise for striking a balance in its historical analysis. I take it back. This edition is extraordinarily unbalanced (or maybe I just didn't see at the time how biased the earlier edition really was), especially when it covers the modern era (Nixon to the present). It is practically unreadable with its bias and unfairness to the Republican presidents and wets the tissue with its over-the-top praise for all things left. Granted it is not as biased as other US history textbooks, but this one has slipped for the worst and the search must begin yet again for balance.

Why Shi let this happen I cannot say, but his bias has encouraged me to look elsewhere for my Honors and AP US History classes. You can do better than this textbook.

[Darrell Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better balanced History textbook than most, however, be prepared for liberal bias in Chapter 32, the final chapter of the book. No mention of Lewinski's dress with Clinton's semen stains. No mention of the disaster at Benghazi on September 11, 2012. The list goes on and on. For the most part, however, this textbook is outstanding in telling the story of American history. It is very balanced and "middle of the road" right up to, but not including, the final chapter. I teach AP and Honors US History and I can highly recommend this textbook for your class, or for personal enjoyment and historical study.

[Fin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really confusing plot. A lot of unlikeable characters with unclear or underdeveloped development. Some of the characters, a few of the presidents, absolutely blew my mind away at their character arcs. Really picks up near the end when it’s revealed it’s set in the same universe as ours. Overall it’s a light read, maybe a weekend or so, but could stand for some more interesting plot lines and refreshed character tropes.

[Shahab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A confession: I read selectively from it the chapters that seemed of interest to me, when I was preparing for an exam. I still consult it occasionally.

For me this the best textbook history of the United States of America from beginnings up until the 21st century.

[Darrell Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good until the final chapter. Shi did an excellent job keeping the textbook down the middle until he discusses the modern era. I hope the 11th edition corrects that mistake.

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring asf

[Maddie Pecak · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHI I LOVE SHI I LOVE HIS ANECDOTES AND HIS GOOFY LITTLE JOKES ILL MISS HIM SO MUCH