America through the Eyes of Its People, Volume 2

by Michael Boezi, Joshua Longman

This collection of primary sources includes both classic and lesser-known documents describing the rich mosaic of American life from the pre-contact era to the present day. The sources, both public and private documents--ranging from letters, diary excerpts, stories, novels, to speeches, court cases, and government reports--tell the story of American history in the words of those who lived it.

328 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to see viewpoints at different times in history

[Hadden Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first-hand account of the history of the United States gives insight into how people really felt during the times of reconstruction, the World Wars, the booming Twenties, and the Great Depression. It gives examples of what culture was like via the excerpts of writings of the time and other primary sources. It includes a wide variety of opinions on various issues of the time in each given section of history. For example, in the chapter that had mostly to do with the populist movement, it gave snip its of many opposing yet relevant views. It gave a passage of one of Mary Lease’s speeches titled, “Raise less corn and more hell.” This was a popular opinion of the populists, who mostly consisted of farmers in the Midwest who were angered by the monopolizing railroad and grain combine industries. As described in the pieces of Mary Lease’s speeches, the populists wanted federal ownership of said monopolies. However, it also gave the view points of the opposing Republicans. The use of these opposing viewpoints truly helps the reader distinguish their own ideas rather than just accept what the authors tell you to think. This is just a small example of how this book shows history in the light that the American people saw it. All in all, this book gives one an accurate idea of how people thought during times in history.

[Conner Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may seem to be boring, but i find it so fascinating with all of the letters and interviews, that can ex[lain the feelings of our nation during the civil war, and up through world war 2. This a book of all primary resources, so it is actual letters or interviews of people of the past. One that i found the most interesting was the civil war section. Where it had a interview of a white republican southerner or also called a scalawag during the 1860s.It was of the KKK coming to his house and deliberately scaring him and hurting him for just being in favor of the union. As one of the KKK men has said to him after that had dragged him out about 80 yards from his house asking him, " sir would you rather be shot or whipped". The man however took a whipping and then was left to die. But he did make back home and survived. The KKK told him that he must change his party affiliation in the newspaper to democrat or they would return to him. It just amazes me how much our country has changed an all of the events that have happen during the antebellum era and after it.

[Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first glance this book seemed like a real bore but reading it I looked back and thought why did think that. America Through the Eyes of its People is an excellent primary source of American history from the end of the Civil War to the present. I enjoyed how Longman used multiple types of sources instead of just relying on one. One thing that helped me understand this book the most was the brief summaries about the chapter which explained the text. This book provided a better understanding about the time period in my opinion.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This firsthand account of the events occurring in the United States from after the civil war to today was very informative. It gave a truly accurate depiction of history because it was a compilation of legitimate documents from each time period. In many sections, such as Expansion and Conflict in the West, Longman includes pieces from both sides of the conflict. He also includes short summaries at the beginning of each chapter and explains briefly the meaning of the texts.

[John Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the first books that I have read in a while that I actually enjoyed reading. Learning about people's lives throughout three centuries of history, beginning in 1865, was very intriguing to me. Reading people's first hand accounts of dealing with the KKK was easily the most thought-provoking. I don't think one could truly understand some of the terrible things the KKK did unless they experienced them or learned about it from a first-hand encounter.

[Andrew Toh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even without any prior knowledge, the primary sources within this book effectively informs the reader information and context as it allowed me personally to enjoy the entertaining and informative views and voices of past American lives in relation to the period.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of a college history class. very good reference book full of short excerpts from various places and people. I do not personally care to read short pieces like this but it was a good reference book. Recommended for reference