What is a good US History book that is devoid of nationalism?

Basically I am looking for a book on US History that covers the good, the bad, and the ugly while not skewing the details and (preferably) using a lot of first and second hand resources. Basically I just want to look for a book that tries to accurately describe history without trying to promote nationalism or cater to any side.

 

Never heard of it but let me know if you do.

 

Yeah, good luck with that! Not saying it can't exist but just about all "history books" have quite a bit of spin to them.

 

http://www.amazon.com/History-Money-Banking-United-States/dp/0945466331"]Amazon.com: A History of Money and Banking in the United States: The Colonial Era to World War II (9780945466338): Murray N. Rothbard: Books

 

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.

 

A People's History of the United States

 

I have a few books that are firsthand accounts of American history, and they do very well at portraying the opposing views of most issues. So I would say any firsthand sources from people of the era would more truthful than regular history textbooks

 

Don't know about general history, but for a specific history of the Civil War, you can't do beter than "Battle Cry of Freedom"

 

best avoid texas and Tennessee

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/tea-party-tennessee-textbooks-slavery_n_1224157.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/...98003.html#s73765&title=Thomas_Jefferson_Whos

 

All histories argue something and are therefore biased.

 

The People's Almanc

 

I'm giving a thumbs-up to scratcho and drumminmama.

They are giving good advice.

Tyrsonswood is on to something good as well. I've heard it said that it's the winners of the wars who get to write the history books. What that means for US history is that not so much of what Native Americans or African-Americans experienced got written down and saved. Probably not even all that much of women wrote was saved. These people were too busy just working and trying to stay alive to sit down and think about what the history books should say.

So not all of the good stuff is likely to be together in one place. You might have to start with a few good books and do some research on your own.

 

History Books worth reading will necessarily have at least some point of view. One with no "nationalism" is obviously going to be anti-nationalist. Without a point of view, all that would be is a chronology of events, one after another.
As a great all around book by a respected historian I recommend "A History Of The American People" by Paul Johnson.

 

American Colonies by Alan Taylor!

 

American history lol
They just make up there own history, whether it's factual or not lol
Enigma machine springs to mind. They even made a film about it. Obviously making themselfs out to be the ones that captured it.
Oh and don't get me started about the war of independence lol ie " the patriot"

 

I'm currently reading Howard Zinns, 'Peoples History of the United States'. Shays Rebellion is a real eye opener. Lots of stuff in there I was not taught in US History classes.

 

Well, how would you know if it's accurate or not, unless you were actually there yourself, which is obviously impossible?

And even if a history book is "accurate" in the sense that it got the facts correct, it's still biased due to the items that the author chose to include or not include.

The phrase "unbiased history" is an oxymoron. People will only believe the history they want to believe, anyway.

And besides that, I'm always skeptical of anyone who claims to have the "real truth" or the "untold story". The people who make those claims almost always have an agenda they're trying to push.

 

I sympathise with you.

 

I never have come across a book that didn't have a point of view, intentional or not. You would be better off reading a variety of books written from ALL points of view and then making up your own mind. It's dangerous to read stuff written only by people you agree with.