A Patriot's History of the United States

A Patriot's History of the United States traces American history from Columbus's arrival through the early 2000s War on Terror. The book presents historical events through a conservative lens, offering a response to what the authors identify as left-leaning bias in mainstream history texts. This extensive historical account covers major periods including colonial times, the American Revolution, westward expansion, the Civil War, both World Wars, and modern American conflicts. Authors Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen focus on primary sources and documented events to construct their narrative of American development. The text emphasizes the role of individual liberty, free market economics, and traditional American values throughout the nation's history. It gained prominence after reaching #1 on both the New York Times and Amazon bestseller lists, particularly following endorsement from conservative media figures. The book stands as a contribution to the ongoing debate about historical interpretation in American academia, arguing for a perspective that frames United States history as a story of progress and achievement rather than criticism and conflict.

Readers view this book as a conservative counterpoint to Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Many appreciate its focus on American achievements and founding principles, with several noting it helped balance their previous exposure to more critical historical perspectives. Positive reviews mention: - Clear writing style and extensive sourcing - Coverage of economic factors in historical events - Emphasis on constitutional principles - Religious and cultural context for historical periods Common criticisms: - Cherry-picking facts to support conservative viewpoints - Dismissive tone toward opposing perspectives - Limited coverage of Native American history - Some readers found it too politically biased Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,800+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,400+ ratings) Reader quote: "Finally a history book that doesn't apologize for American excellence." Critical quote: "The authors' bias shows through too strongly to be considered objective history."

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🔷 First published in 2004, the book quickly became a New York Times bestseller and has sold over 500,000 copies 🔷 Larry Schweikart originally worked as a rock drummer in the 1970s, performing with bands that opened for groups like Steppenwolf, before becoming a historian 🔷 The book was partly inspired as a response to Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States," offering an opposing ideological perspective 🔷 Each chapter begins with a quotation from primary sources, including letters, speeches, and documents from the time period being discussed 🔷 The authors spent over 12 years researching and writing the book, consulting more than 500 original sources and documents