📖 Overview
A History of US is a comprehensive ten-volume series covering American history from prehistoric times through the modern era. The work, written by Joy Hakim and published by Oxford University Press, has become a standard educational text used in schools across the United States.
Each volume focuses on a specific period of American history, presenting historical events and figures through clear narratives and primary source materials. The series includes an eleventh sourcebook volume that contains full texts of important historical documents, speeches, and other referenced materials.
The books have earned recognition in both educational and literary circles, winning the James A. Michener Award and the Parent's Choice Gold Award. Major historians like David McCullough have endorsed the series for its contribution to history education.
The series stands out for its approach to making American history accessible while maintaining historical accuracy and depth. Through its narrative structure, the books create connections between different historical periods and demonstrate how past events continue to influence American society.
👀 Reviews
Readers value the engaging, conversational writing style that makes history accessible to younger students. Many parents and teachers note that their children read the books voluntarily and retain more information compared to traditional textbooks.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Clear explanations of complex events
- Integration of primary sources and photographs
- Questions that promote critical thinking
- Appropriate for both children and adults
Common criticisms:
- Liberal bias in coverage of certain topics
- Oversimplification of some historical events
- High price for the complete set
- Some factual errors in early editions
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.6/5 (579 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (891 reviews)
One homeschool parent wrote: "My 11-year-old asks to read these books before bed." A teacher noted: "Students connect with history through the stories and voices of real people."
Critics point out specific issues: "The chapters on the New Deal present only positive outcomes" and "Native American perspectives are sometimes oversimplified."
📚 Similar books
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer
Chronicles world history in four volumes through a narrative approach that connects civilizations and time periods through human experiences.
Don't Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis Presents American history through questions and answers while addressing common misconceptions about historical events and figures.
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong Delivers American history through 100 standalone stories that link major historical moments with lesser-known events.
From Sea to Shining Sea by Marshall Davidson Chronicles American history through the lens of geographic expansion and cultural development from colony to modern nation.
The Oxford History of the United States series by multiple authors Presents American history through detailed volumes that each focus on specific time periods with comprehensive analysis of political, social, and economic forces.
Don't Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis Presents American history through questions and answers while addressing common misconceptions about historical events and figures.
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong Delivers American history through 100 standalone stories that link major historical moments with lesser-known events.
From Sea to Shining Sea by Marshall Davidson Chronicles American history through the lens of geographic expansion and cultural development from colony to modern nation.
The Oxford History of the United States series by multiple authors Presents American history through detailed volumes that each focus on specific time periods with comprehensive analysis of political, social, and economic forces.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Originally published in 1993, Joy Hakim spent seven years researching and writing the series, visiting historical sites and archives across America.
🌟 The series won the James A. Michener Prize in Writing and earned praise from the American Library Association, which named it a Notable Children's Book.
🌟 Over 5 million copies of the series have been sold, and it has been adopted by thousands of schools nationwide as their primary U.S. history curriculum.
🌟 Hakim was a journalist and teacher before becoming an author, and she interviewed over 100 historians during the writing process to ensure accuracy.
🌟 The books' unique format includes more than 400 maps and 2,000 historical images, with each chapter beginning with a thought-provoking question to engage readers.