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Robert Vincent Remini
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A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency Kindle Edition

by Robert Vincent Remini (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 438 ratings
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From a National Book Award winner: “A Short History of the United States may be brief, but it is wise, eloquent, and authoritative.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times–bestselling author of And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

“Readers of all political stripes will appreciate” this concise history of the United States (Publishers Weekly), an accessible and lively volume containing the essential facts about the discovery, settlement, growth, and development of the American nation and its institutions, including the arrival and migration of Native Americans, the founding of a republic under the Constitution, the emergence of the United States as a world power, the outbreak of terrorism here and abroad, the Obama presidency, and everything in between.

“Masterful . . . a perfect history for our times.” —Robert Dallek, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Nixon and Kissinger

“Everything a casual (or bewildered) reader needs to know . . . An objective narrative of this nation’s history.” —Publishers Weekly

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  1. Print length
    395 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  4. Publication date
    September 24, 2008
  5. File size
    47.2 MB
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

To write a thorough, balanced history of the United States in under 400 pages is no mean feat. Remini, professor of history emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a National Book Award winner for his work on Andrew Jackson, deftly wraps his expertise and deep knowledge of his subject in stripped-down prose that provides everything a casual (or bewildered) reader needs to know about the United States from the first English colonists until the beginning of 2008. Remini's final chapters are slightly rushed and his judgments too general to be useful, but these flaws are easily overshadowed by his masterful middle sections focusing on the 19th century (his scholarly specialty). In contrast to some surveys of American history, like Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States or William Bennett's America: The Last Best Hope, Remini delivers an objective narrative of this nation's history that readers of all political stripes will appreciate. 16 pages of b&w illus., 14 maps. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The reigning scholarly biographer of Andrew Jackson, Remini has been a frequent writer of popular works on American history; his topics have ranged from The Battle of New Orleans (1999) and Joseph Smith (2002) to presidential inaugural speeches (Fellow Citizens, 2008). Here, Remini covers the whole American shebang in 368 pages, yielding a parsimonious narrative that to regular readers of American history resembles an outline—but they aren’t Remini’s audience. He seems to be writing for those who need anchorage in the major events in the development of the U.S., a large target indeed considering the gaps in the public’s knowledge of U.S. history as revealed by occasional surveys. An instructive technique Remini uses is to emphasize a precedent in history, such as the Mayflower Compact or the legislation of the First Congress under the Constitution, whose influence extends up to the present. Besides government, Remini applies this method to economics, civil rights, and foreign affairs. A good choice for general circulation needs. --Gilbert Taylor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001GLMTEM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; 1st edition (September 24, 2008)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 24, 2008
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 47.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 438 ratings

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Robert Vincent Remini

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
438 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They appreciate the concise writing style that makes it easy to understand events. Many consider it a good value for money. However, opinions differ on whether the book is unbiased or biased, with some finding it reliable and unbiased, while others feel there is too much opinion mixed in with historical facts.

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ReadabilityHistory contentWriting styleValue for moneyUnbiasedness
15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it interesting, well-written, and suitable for summer reading.

"...Awesome price. Great book. Have really enjoyed reading it...." Read more

"Great Book! Really does a good job of condensing the important points in U.S. History...." Read more

"...It was not boring and was written for someone like me who needs to read something that will keep my interest." Read more

"...Clear he does not approve of George W Bush. Worth the read, but know it is not just a history book." Read more

14 customers mention "History content"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history content informative and useful. They appreciate the objective narrative and coverage of major themes and events in US history. The book provides a good refresher on US political history, with interesting information that was new to them. It touches on important local and international events, making it a great way to refresh one's memory about United States history.

"This is a great history of the US to read. It's not bogged down with details...." Read more

"...the US lives up to the publisher's blurb: "an objective narrative of the nation's history ..." and – through a lively, erudite style of..." Read more

"...things you need to know about the U.S. Remini does a good job of keeping an unbiased history and helps the reader chronologically process the..." Read more

"I enjoyed reading this concise history of the US. Well written book with focus on important local and international events." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing style"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing style concise and easy to read. They appreciate that the author breaks down events for them, making it easy to understand. The book covers a comprehensive overview in less than 400 pages without getting bogged down with details. The description is accurate, and the book does a good job of condensing the important points in U.S. history.

"...It's not bogged down with details. It's easy to read and shows a lot of parallel of what happened then that is happening in today's politics; and it..." Read more

"...of the nation's history ..." and – through a lively, erudite style of writing, it is indeed "fact-crammed" ... and with reliable facts...." Read more

"Great Book! Really does a good job of condensing the important points in U.S. History...." Read more

"I wanted to read a very well written and "brief" history of our country...." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's a great price and good quality.

"...Amazon sent me another one ASAP & it was in excellent condition. Awesome price. Great book. Have really enjoyed reading it...." Read more

"Cheaper than the school bookstore!..." Read more

"Good quality with reasonable price" Read more

4 customers mention "Unbiasedness"2 positive2 negative

Customers have different views on the book's unbiasedness. Some find it concise and reliable, with a lack of bias. Others feel there is too much opinion and hard to separate facts from the author's personal opinions.

"...style of writing, it is indeed "fact-crammed" ... and with reliable facts...." Read more

"...However, while reading, it’s hard to separate facts from the author’s personal opinion, therefore, the book may be mistakenly perceived as some kind..." Read more

"Lack of bias was very important to me in choosing a book about US history." Read more

"...providing a short history, however at times there is too much opinion than historical facts, if you want a short history lesson...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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  • Julia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not bogged down with details
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great history of the US to read. It's not bogged down with details. It's easy to read and shows a lot of parallel of what happened then that is happening in today's politics; and it reveals the character of the Founders of this country and how the two parties come about. It also helps me understand the whole slave issue. It turns out slavery was a common practiced in Europe and Africa, and many other countries, not to minimize the cruelty and brutality the slaves had to endure in this country especially in the South, but it does help me understand why many Americans today do not agree with slavery reparations. Educational!
    One person found this helpful
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  • JD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great price. Nice Quality!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The first one I rec'd was a little beat up due to shipping. Amazon sent me another one ASAP & it was in excellent condition. Awesome price. Great book. Have really enjoyed reading it. Got it for a class I'm taking but didn't wait...had to start reading it...Would recommend this book to others such as history buffs & students.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • PA DurackClancy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Just about the whole story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Robert Remini's Short History of the US lives up to the publisher's blurb: "an objective narrative of the nation's history ..." and – through a lively, erudite style of writing, it is indeed "fact-crammed" ... and with reliable facts. In short, a most welcome addition to so much else of contemporary writing of history.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Josh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great History of the U.S.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great Book! Really does a good job of condensing the important points in U.S. History. From the Founding of the Americas to the Battle of Saratoga, this book does has all the things you need to know about the U.S. Remini does a good job of keeping an unbiased history and helps the reader chronologically process the information printed within the book.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars muy interesante. Ya que es el país donde vivimos
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    lo recomiendo. Mi hijo lo leyo y esta increíble!! Lo recomiendo 👍
    One person found this helpful
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  • Traditio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mr Remini does it
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I wanted to read a very well written and "brief" history of our country. Mr Remini is such a good writer any way so I decided to get this book. It was not boring and was written for someone like me who needs to read something that will keep my interest.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dima
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very biased
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The book is very biased. It’s written concisely and is easy to read. However, while reading, it’s hard to separate facts from the author’s personal opinion, therefore, the book may be mistakenly perceived as some kind of textbook. It is not. It’s just an opinion, quite controversial in some parts.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Alireza
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good summery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading this concise history of the US. Well written book with focus on important local and international events.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • C.R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Well written: the author made history easy to understand...and not boring at all!
    Reviewed in Italy on September 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I do highly recommend this amazing book: every chapter is so well written that I felt myself directly into those historical events. The author, a former professor of American History at the University of Illinois, has deep knowledge in the matter, but doesn't use difficult terms just to show his culture: he teaches history to anyone who would like to know more about it.
    I'll keep this book on my best shelf at home, so everyone can see it and maybe ask me about it...and I'll tell to buy it on Amazon asap!
    Report
  • Michel St-Onge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    interesting!
    Report
  • T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant overview of US history up to Obama's election
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Very readable, loved it.
    I will re-read it when we return to the US
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  • Aitor Morgado
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sencillo pero muy buena introducción histórica
    Reviewed in Spain on December 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Ciertamente, A Short History of the United States no es un libro al que acudirías para aprender en gran detalle la historia de los Estados Unidos de América. El libro se divide en capítulos que abarcan diferentes periodos del país, desde sus inicios más remotos hasta principios del siglo XXI. Está estructurado de buena manera, es muy fácil de leer, el lenguaje que utiliza es muy ameno y el libro se hace interesante porque siempre ofrece la sensación de aprender algo nuevo que no sabías o recordabas.

    La razón por la que digo que no lo escogería para estudiar la historia con detalle es porque obviamente, abarcar tantos años de historia en un libro de menos de 400 páginas, es meramente imposible. Lo recomendaría para aquellos que quieran aprender por primera vez la historia del país, para poder repasar acontecimientos específicos o como introducción para un estudio más serio. En general, me ha parecido un libro buenísimo para tal propósito y lo recomiendo con creces.
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  • Maan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks a lot Nomah County Library Portland and Thrift Books
    Reviewed in India on June 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful book!
    Report

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