Book Request: American History (United States)

[vpr]

Hello,

I'm looking for a book recommendation. I'm looking for a book for my girlfriend, who is not American and English is not her first language (She's Asian). I'd like it to cover United States history, and be written in a style that's not full of complicated vocabulary. Something that would be easy to read for her. I don't mind explaining words or sentences she doesn't understand, but I'd like this to be a project for herself.

I'd like it to cover basic American history, at least from colonization to somewhat recent times, includding the civial war. I'd like it to cover some of the big movements such as: slavery, african american rights, women's rights, etc.

I'd prefer this to be a physical book that I can purchase and take with us places, since I don't have an ebook reader.

If things go right, I'm hoping she might be able to come here, and I'd like her to have an understanding of what our history and culture is.

Thanks in advance,
vpr

 

[NikolaeVarius]

A high school textbook?

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
A high school textbook?

I think a middle school textbook might be a better place to start. If she has trouble with harder vocabulary, a HS book might give her troubles.

A MS book would give her the concepts and touch on all of the bases.

I'll ask my brother what textbook he uses, and I'll get you a recommendation as soon as he gets home.

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
A high school textbook?

I was thinking about that, but I'm not sure which ones are used these days. They also tend to leave some things out for you to figure out on your own through questions, which might actually be good - Hmm don't know.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll look into it.

Any others?

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
A high school textbook?

I think a middle school textbook might be a better place to start. If she has trouble with harder vocabulary, a HS book might give her troubles.

A MS book would give her the concepts and touch on all of the bases.

I'll ask my brother what textbook he uses, and I'll get you a recommendation as soon as he gets home.

Cheers! I appreciate that. Her English isn't horrible - we can have converstaions, but her vocabulary (as you suggested) isn't the best.

 

[rezinn]

Why don't you just have her read wikipedia or encarta or something? The information is there and it's easier than finding multiple texts. If you have a laptop to take it with you I guess.

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: rezinn
Why don't you just have her read wikipedia or encarta or something? The information is there and it's easier than finding multiple texts. If you have a laptop to take it with you I guess.

Well that's a pretty good idea, but in her country wikipedia is blocked (I'm sure you can guess which country that is.)

I could teach her to go around it, but I'd rather have something she can take with her somewhere. As when we're home together - she won't have time to read :grins:

 

[thecrecarc]

Originally posted by: vpr
If things go right, I'm hoping she might be able to come here

Yes, we need some more sacrificial lambs.

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc

Originally posted by: vpr
If things go right, I'm hoping she might be able to come here

Yes, we need some more sacrificial lambs.

Was that really necessary?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: vpr

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
A high school textbook?

I think a middle school textbook might be a better place to start. If she has trouble with harder vocabulary, a HS book might give her troubles.

A MS book would give her the concepts and touch on all of the bases.

I'll ask my brother what textbook he uses, and I'll get you a recommendation as soon as he gets home.

Cheers! I appreciate that. Her English isn't horrible - we can have converstaions, but her vocabulary (as you suggested) isn't the best.

Perhaps a high school textbook and one of those translation dictionaries would be of the most help, that way when you might not be around, she can still progress at a pace that is comfortable for her vpr, I hope this helps

 

[JEDI]

American History X by Jedi

george Washington was the 1st prez
lousinanna territory was purchaced for ~$15M
lincohn was the 16prez, and he freed the slaves. 13 + 14th admendments were because of him.

Since then, all prez that was elected in a year that ends in 0 dies, or had an attempt on. (too bad its too late to do any good if the '0 year curse' continued to live in the 21st century.)

Germany started WW1, and lost.
Germany started WW2, and lost.
US started the Vietnam war, and lost.
US started the IRaqi war, and failed

Bush was pres in 1988.
clinton was pres in 1992, 1996
Bush was pres in 2000, 2004
Clinton becomes the 1st female prez in 20xx (either wife or daughter)

patterns everywhere

edit:
oh, someone kisses the sidewalk, and someone else slams his foot into the back of that guys head

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: JEDI
American History X by Jedi

george Washington was the 1st prez
lousinanna territory was purchaced for ~$15M
lincohn was the 16prez, and he freed the slaves. 13 + 14th admendments were because of him.

Since then, all prez that was elected in a year that ends in 0 dies, or had an attempt on. (too bad its too late to do any good if the '0 year curse' continued to live in the 21st century.)

Germany started WW1, and lost.
Germany started WW2, and lost.
US started the Vietnam war, and lost.
US started the IRaqi war, and failed

Bush was pres in 1988.
clinton was pres in 1992, 1996
Bush was pres in 2000, 2004
Clinton becomes the 1st female prez in 20xx (either wife or daughter)

patterns everywhere

edit:
oh, someone kisses the sidewalk, and someone else slams his foot into the back of that guys head

cute

 

[PrinceofWands]

A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

It's frequently used as a low-level college history text, but Zinn is very approachable in his writing. It's left-biased, but the best right-biased counter is a much more difficult read. Make sure you get the most recent revision, as it covers up to 2003. That can be very valuable for people approaching history for the first time as they can compare parts that they were alive for to better understand the authors intent and voice.

 

[vpr]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

It's frequently used as a low-level college history text, but Zinn is very approachable in his writing. It's left-biased, but the best right-biased counter is a much more difficult read. Make sure you get the most recent revision, as it covers up to 2003. That can be very valuable for people approaching history for the first time as they can compare parts that they were alive for to better understand the authors intent and voice.

Thank you. I'll look it up now.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Originally posted by: vpr

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

It's frequently used as a low-level college history text, but Zinn is very approachable in his writing. It's left-biased, but the best right-biased counter is a much more difficult read. Make sure you get the most recent revision, as it covers up to 2003. That can be very valuable for people approaching history for the first time as they can compare parts that they were alive for to better understand the authors intent and voice.

Thank you. I'll look it up now.

We use that book in my AP US History class. I like it.

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

It's frequently used as a low-level college history text, but Zinn is very approachable in his writing. It's left-biased, but the best right-biased counter is a much more difficult read. Make sure you get the most recent revision, as it covers up to 2003. That can be very valuable for people approaching history for the first time as they can compare parts that they were alive for to better understand the authors intent and voice.

QFT. This book, despite its "biases," is far more accurate and error-free than any middle or high school textbook. :thumbsup:

 

[PrinceofWands]

For those who have read Zinn and would like a comparison text, try:

A History of the American People - Paul Johnson


It's a more complex read, but very well done and definitely without the left-bias.