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Started By
Message
Best US history books by time period
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:09 am
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:09 am
With summer and summer travel ahead I feel like taking a deep dive into American history, methodically starting with Jamestown. I have a preference for books available on Audible as it allows me to work it in on commutes/road trips etc.
What are the best books covering the sequential time periods in US History? Certainly open to multiple suggestions per time period, of narrow and broader scope.
Thinking of it along these lines:
1. Discovery of New World/first English colonization
2. Development of 13 colonies and pre-war politics/expansion
3. Revolution
4. Constitution & War of 1812
5. Pre-Civil War 19th century
6. Civil War
7. Late 19th century
8. Turn of Century
9. WWI
10. 20's & Great Depression
11. WWII
12. Cold War & proxy conflicts incl Korea & Vietnam
13. Beyond
Anyone else taken a similar journey post-education? Anyone with a particular affinity for one of the time periods have suggestions?
I'm interested in military tactics, politics & political theory, and economics. Biographies of key individuals that were heavily influential in time periods also pique my interest. Such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Lincoln, Lee, Grant etc.
What are the best books covering the sequential time periods in US History? Certainly open to multiple suggestions per time period, of narrow and broader scope.
Thinking of it along these lines:
1. Discovery of New World/first English colonization
2. Development of 13 colonies and pre-war politics/expansion
3. Revolution
quote:
1776 by McCullough
The Traitor and The Spy by Flexner
Novel: Burr by Gore Vidal
4. Constitution & War of 1812
5. Pre-Civil War 19th century
quote:
Age of Jackson by Arthur Schlesinger
Magnificent Destiny by Paul Wellman
6. Civil War
7. Late 19th century
8. Turn of Century
quote:
McCollough's Wright Brothers
Our Time by Mark Sullivan
USA by John Dos Passos
9. WWI
quote:
Our Time by Mark Sullivan
USA by John Dos Passos
10. 20's & Great Depression
quote:
Our Time by Mark Sullivan
USA by John Dos Passos
11. WWII
quote:
The Second World War - John Keegan
12. Cold War & proxy conflicts incl Korea & Vietnam
quote:
Mutual Contempt - Jeff Sheshol
13. Beyond
quote:
"The Pentagon's New Map" by Thomas M. P. Barnett
Anyone else taken a similar journey post-education? Anyone with a particular affinity for one of the time periods have suggestions?
I'm interested in military tactics, politics & political theory, and economics. Biographies of key individuals that were heavily influential in time periods also pique my interest. Such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Lincoln, Lee, Grant etc.
This post was edited on 4/22/16 at 1:56 pm
16
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:11 am to Swoopin
quote:Pick up "The Pentagon's New Map" by Thomas M. P. Barnett
I'm interested in military tactics, politics & political theory, and economics
You can thank me later.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:11 am to Swoopin
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:14 am to Swoopin
2a. French and Indian war. The event that most influenced/set the conditions for the Revolutionary war. The first true world war.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:18 am to Swoopin
I've thoroughly enjoyed David McCollough and Jon Meacham's presidential biographies, particularly John Adams (McCollough), The Art of Power (Jefferson's by Meacham), and American Lion (Jackson's by Meacham).
Also, 1776 by McCullough is a great book about...well...1776
Both these authors do a great job of bringing the history to life.
Also, 1776 by McCullough is a great book about...well...1776
Both these authors do a great job of bringing the history to life.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:20 am to UGATiger26
McCollough's Wright Brothers was a great read as well.
This post was edited on 4/22/16 at 9:57 am
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:21 am to Swoopin
I can't offer any info, but this is a great thread idea; so I just wanted to commend you for that. I could potentially grow as a person, thanks to an OT thread -- and I never thought that would be possible based on this place's history.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:23 am to yankeeundercover
quote:
Pick up "The Pentagon's New Map" by Thomas M. P. Barnett
I'd second this. Excellent book.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:26 am to Swoopin
quote:The Traitor and The Spy by Flexner. About Benedict Arnold
3. Revolution
1776 by David McCullough
Novel: Burr by Gore Vidal
quote:Age of Jackson by Arthur Schlesinger
5. Pre-Civil War 19th century
Magnificent Destiny by Paul Wellman. Historical novel about Harriet Tubm-- I mean Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston
quote:Try to find the 1 volume edition of Our Time by Mark Sullivan. One of the first cultural histories.
8. Turn of Century
9. WWI
10. 20's
Novel: USA by John Dos Passos
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:31 am to Kafka
Exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for!
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:32 am to AndyJ
quote:You don't read my posts?
I could potentially grow as a person, thanks to an OT thread -- and I never thought that would be possible
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:34 am to Swoopin
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:37 am to WalkingTurtles
I thought he specified US history -- if we're moving beyond the border I recommend the immediate reading of Modern Times by Paul Johnson
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:37 am to WalkingTurtles
I am editing OP to categorize yalls suggestions for myself and others, thanks.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:45 am to Swoopin
I guess this would fall under #12. Very interesting. I wasn't aware of these two intense dislike for one another.Interesting information on Vietnam.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:48 am to Swoopin
I'll add one for WWII:
There's a War to Be Won by Geoffrey Perret
It's a little more detailed than just "US History" It starts at the conclusion of World War I and details the changes in the US Military (and the economy/logistics of getting ready for the war) from then till the end of WWII. Really interesting book.
ETA: from Amazon:
There's a War to Be Won by Geoffrey Perret
It's a little more detailed than just "US History" It starts at the conclusion of World War I and details the changes in the US Military (and the economy/logistics of getting ready for the war) from then till the end of WWII. Really interesting book.
ETA: from Amazon:
quote:
THERE'S A WAR TO BE WON is the landmark story of one of the greatest armies in history, a conscript force of amateur soldiers who had an unparalleled record of combat success. Here -- for the first time in one volume -- is the chronicle of the United States Army's dramatic mobilization and stunning march to victory in World War II.
This post was edited on 4/22/16 at 9:50 am
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:48 am to Swoopin
quote:
I am editing OP to categorize yalls suggestions for myself and others, thanks.
You need to at least add John Adams by McCollough to your Revolutionary and Early America categories. Dude was in the thick of it all. When I say that 1776 is about 1776, I'm being literal. It's not about the American Revolution in general. Just the year 1776. John Adams provides a great overview of the entire period. Obviously, it focuses on Adams, but since he was so involved and his correspondence is so exhaustive, you get a feel for everything that was going on (example: he was on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, so you get to learn all about how that was created, edited, and ratified.)
This post was edited on 4/22/16 at 9:50 am
Posted on 4/22/16 at 9:49 am to UGATiger26
of all the posts on this page to get the anchor. 
Posted on 4/22/16 at 10:00 am to Swoopin
Civil war you should read Shelby foote's anthology of the war. Covers everything from start to finish in immense detail. Also Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning Killer Angels is a must read!
Posted on 4/22/16 at 10:09 am to Swoopin
Im interest in anything to do with WWII, great depression, the 40's!
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