Documents of American History

Documents of American History is a collection of primary source materials that chronicle the development of the United States from colonial times through the mid-20th century. The book contains over 380 documents including laws, speeches, letters, treaties, court decisions, and other historical records. Editor Henry Steele Commager provides context and commentary to frame each document, explaining its significance and historical background. The materials are arranged chronologically and cover major events and themes in American political, social, economic and constitutional history. The collection features both well-known documents like the Declaration of Independence and less familiar but historically important materials such as personal accounts, newspaper articles, and government reports. Each entry includes the complete text or relevant excerpts along with source information. This compilation serves as a window into how American democracy and institutions evolved through the words and actions of those who shaped the nation's path. The primary sources allow readers to examine historical moments through contemporary perspectives rather than later interpretations.

Readers value this text as a comprehensive primary source collection of American historical documents, with selections from colonial times through the 20th century. The chronological organization and inclusion of contextual notes help students understand each document's significance. Likes: - Complete text of important documents rather than excerpts - Clear annotations and explanations - Logical arrangement by historical periods - Quality binding in hardcover editions - Useful for both teaching and research Dislikes: - Small print size in some editions - Later editions omit some documents from earlier versions - Limited coverage of post-1950 period - Index could be more detailed - High price for new copies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 reviews) Multiple teachers report using this as a classroom reference for decades. Several reviewers note marking their copies extensively for repeated consultation. Students mention the book helps them cite primary sources accurately.

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn This collection presents American history through primary sources and accounts from marginalized voices, laborers, and social movements.

The Growth of the American Republic by Samuel Eliot Morison The text combines primary documents and historical analysis to trace the development of American political and social institutions from colonial times through the modern era.

Major Problems in American History by Elizabeth Cobbs and Edward J. Blum Each chapter pairs primary sources with scholarly essays to examine key historical debates and developments in United States history.

Voices of a People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove The book presents speeches, letters, poems, and songs from historical figures whose voices shaped American history but often remain outside traditional textbooks.

The American Nation: Primary Sources by Bruce Frohnen This compilation features foundational documents, presidential speeches, court decisions, and other primary sources that chronicle the political and legal development of the United States.

🔖 Henry Steele Commager was one of America's most prolific historians, writing, editing, or co-writing over 40 books during his career spanning more than five decades. 📚 The first edition of "Documents of American History" was published in 1934, and the book remained a standard reference text in American universities for over 40 years. 📜 The book compiles over 375 primary source documents, from the earliest colonial period through the 1970s, including many lesser-known but significant papers that shaped American history. 🎓 Commager taught at New York University, Columbia University, and Amherst College, where he was named the John Woodruff Simpson Lecturer, one of the college's most prestigious positions. ✍️ While working on various editions of this book, Commager actively opposed McCarthyism and was a vocal critic of American involvement in the Vietnam War, which influenced his selection and presentation of historical documents in later editions.