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05-08-2010, 03:07 PM
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1,446 posts, read 4,234,101 times
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I just purchased the "History of the American People" by Paul Johnson (sp?). It looked good because of the specific topics that it deals with concerning the development of the United States. However, I want to know what to look out for. What should I know beforehand to look out for? I mean, what are his personal biases and slant that I should be aware of while reading the book? Thank you.
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05-09-2010, 05:40 AM
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13,510 posts, read 15,636,940 times
Reputation: 37885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lentzr
I just purchased the "History of the American People" by Paul Johnson (sp?). It looked good because of the specific topics that it deals with concerning the development of the United States. However, I want to know what to look out for. What should I know beforehand to look out for? I mean, what are his personal biases and slant that I should be aware of while reading the book? Thank you.
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Judging from the reviews I have read from a wide range of sources, Johnson is an English conservative writer, and he has written a very detailed and intelligent survey of American history with a decidedly conservative slant. |
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05-09-2010, 06:00 PM
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Location: Aloverton
6,564 posts, read 13,039,041 times
Reputation: 10088
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lentzr
I just purchased the "History of the American People" by Paul Johnson (sp?). It looked good because of the specific topics that it deals with concerning the development of the United States. However, I want to know what to look out for. What should I know beforehand to look out for? I mean, what are his personal biases and slant that I should be aware of while reading the book? Thank you.
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I would suggest looking at certain passages and portrayals to form your own opinion. A good one would be Lincoln; racist or not? Another would be Frank Roosevelt. If the book bawls about the Descent into Socialism, you'll have a clue there. You could also check to see how it treats the Whiskey Rebellion, a fairly blunt force use of the power of the state to disperse tax protesters. |
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05-11-2010, 05:23 PM
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Location: Between a rock and a hard place.
445 posts, read 994,491 times
Reputation: 278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lentzr
I just purchased the "History of the American People" by Paul Johnson (sp?). It looked good because of the specific topics that it deals with concerning the development of the United States. However, I want to know what to look out for. What should I know beforehand to look out for? I mean, what are his personal biases and slant that I should be aware of while reading the book? Thank you.
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I would read it, with an open mind, while jotting down notes, then you can compare what he writes, to other events in history, to see where he truly stands, and what his motivation for writing the book in the first place. |
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