- Hardcover: 768 pages
- Publisher: W&N (13 Oct 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297815695
- ISBN-13: 978-0297815693
- Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 17.4 x 6.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 368,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A narrative history of the United Sttes, which is also a reinterpretation of every aspect of American history, of its politics and economics, its literature and art, its society and manners, and its religous beliefs.
About the Author
Paul Johnson was born in 1928. He edited the New Statesman in the 1960s and has written over forty books. His Modern Times, a history of the world from the 1920s to the 1990s, has been translated into more than fifteen languages. As well as a weekly column in the Spectator, he contributes to newspapers all over the world.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An interesting and informative book. Johnson broadly defines his subject geographically (the territories now comprising the mainland United States) and chronologically (the post-Columbian period) but his real aim, and his great skill, is to trace the origins and history of the political entity, and the people, now known as the USA. There is little coverage of Indian history, but that, to be fair, is outside Johnson's mandate.
Johnson's style is anecdotal and character-focussed. Perhaps because of this, he is at his most formidable when dealing with the early days of the Union, when great individuals could truly influence the shape of a nation. However his writing remains colourful, yet pertinent and firmly grounded in fact, throughout. Other areas of strength include Johnson's ability to decipher the true founding principles of the American project, and to express them through the eyes of the ordinary American; and to mark out the role of religion as a creative force, especially in the earliest days of settlement.
Johnson's style is enthusiastic and he is not afraid to show that, as a historian and an Englishman, he greatly admires the American nation. His approval, however, is factually backed, and he is not afraid to criticise those who, though devoted to their own concept of the American dream, had their heads in the clouds or their fingers in the till. He has thoroughly mixed opinions of such American luminaries as Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Overall his work presents a generally balanced tone though the reader may wish subsequently to explore the work of more adverse Americologists.
If there is one criticism of the book, it is that it becomes thinner in its coverage of issues during the twentieth century. But Johnson has perhaps wisely stuck to the theme which he enjoys most, and is able to most thoroughly explore - America in the early days, when the ideals and projects of settlement and union were at their most defined and resilient, strong in the face of the adversity posed by colonialism, economic strife and racial division. And the author is not afraid to pose controversial viewpoints in respect of later periods, as illustrated by his coverage of Watergate, where he stages what amounts to a fascinating defence of the besieged Nixon.
For those with the time to spare to delve into, and digest, this work, Johnson's is a thoroughly rewarding history.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Simply stated, this has got to be one of the best one volume histories of the USA. The author writes with enthusiasm for his subject and also a lot of love and respect for the whole American enterprise. The book itself is a real page turner and challenged some of my own preconceived notions about certain events in American history. It was a delight to read and was one of those books that I was actually sad about finishing in the end. Just read it and above all, enjoy it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are interested in the history of the United States, from the first European settlers through to Bill Clinton, and have several hours to spare to study the subject you cannot help but enjoy Paul Johnson's marvellous journey through America old and new. Johnson keeps the reader interested by provided a portrait of the main protagonists through the comments of their contemporaries, as well as their own writings and provides analysis of the thousands of issues that have made the United States what it is today, from settlement to revolution and from civil war to world war, enabling the reader to envisage and understand the trial, torment, tragedy, triumph and resolution that has forged the USA. An absolute must for any scholar of US history, or of US relations with Europe.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An Epic Work
This is fine book that does its subject great justice . Its scope is superb . I found it hard to put down ,such was my enjoyment . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Terry J
Highly entertaining history
It took me ten years, and I had to buy three copies of the book, but yesterday 7 June 2008, I finished Paul Johnson's big, fat doorstep of a history. It was very satisfying. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2008 by William Cohen
an interesting slant
The subtitle of this book could quite easily be eThe story of how America became such a great placef, the conclusion being that it was because of the lack of a socialist party... Read more
Published on 16 May 2004 by "alexcase3"
An inpenetrable tome
It is not often that I start a book and then give up on it before finishing, but I found A History of the American People an inpenetrable tome. Read more
Published on 28 July 2003
A clear, concise and contemporary history of the US
Johnson's work is a worthy achievement and, to counter the earlier reviewer's opinion that there is too much focus on religion in the book, I think more needs to be said on the... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2000
OK, if you can ignore the religious bias
The problem with Johnson's text is the way that he gives far greater weighting than necessary to religion. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2000
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