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Whether you know absolutely nothing about a subject and are embarking on your first steps, or you are already familiar with the world the Little History describes, these are the most energetic, entertaining and reliable guides you will find.
A Little History of the United States, by
James West Davidson
Published: September 24, 2015
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UK, Europe and Rest of World
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North America
How did a land and people of such immense diversity come together under a banner of freedom and equality to form one of the most remarkable nations in the world? Everyone from young adults to grandparents will be fascinated by the answers uncovered in James West Davidson’s vividly-told A Little History of the United States. In 300 fast-moving pages, Davidson guides his readers through 500 years, from the first contact between the two halves of the world to the rise of America as a superpower in an era of atomic perils and diminishing resources.
In short, vivid chapters the book brings to life hundreds of individuals whose stories are part of the larger American story. Pilgrim William Bradford stumbles into an Indian deer trap on his first day in America; Harriet Tubman lets loose a pair of chickens to divert attention from her escaping slaves; the toddler Andrew Carnegie, later an ambitious industrial magnate, gobbles his oatmeal with a spoon in each hand. Such stories are riveting in themselves, but they also spark larger questions to ponder about freedom, equality and unity in the context of a nation that is, and always has been, remarkably divided and diverse.
‘As a very readable rattle through the basic facts of a remarkable story this Little History is hard to beat.’ – Roger Cox, Scotsman
Some reviews
‘This is a little history with a big heart, meant to be savored more than studied, read out loud like poetry, or perhaps sung like a hymn.’ Joseph J. Ellis, author of Founding Brothers
‘A persuasive and enjoyable read. Davidson faced a herculean task in condensing more than five hundred years of history into a slim volume. He fulfills this difficult brief with authority and brio.’ Richard Aldous, author of Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Relationship
About the author
James West Davidson, a historian of international renown, has written widely on American history and the outdoors. He is coauthor of The American Nation, which was for years the top-selling book on American history in the U.S. He is also coauthor of Gr …
About the illustrator
Gordon Allen grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Loving the etchings of Rembrandt, he taught himself how to etch through trial and error, and established a business, selling through several galleries across the United States. For many years, Gordon has div …
