Books like America by David E. Shi

James W. Loewen critiques the portrayal of American history in leading textbooks, covering topics from pre‑Columbian peoples to Reconstruction, Helen Keller, Thanksgiving, and the Maimonides massacre, arguing for more accurate, inclusive teaching.

History Lessons presents a collection of international textbooks and primary accounts that offer alternative perspectives on key moments in American history, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting global viewpoints.

In this follow-up to his landmark bestseller, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, Loewen goes beyond the usual textbook-dominated curriculum to illuminate a wealth of intriguing, often hidden facts about America's past. Calling for a new way to teach history, this book offers teachers specific ideas for how to get students excited about history, how to get them to DO history, and how to help them read critically. It will specifically help teachers tackle difficult but important topics like the American Indian experience, slavery, and race relations. Throughout, Loewen shows how "teaching what really happened" not only connects better with all kinds of students, it better prepares those students to be tomorrow's citizens. Book features: A refreshingly candid assessment of the pitfalls and potential of American history education; Ideas from teachers across the country who are empowering students with the real story of America's history; Strategies for teaching historiography and incorporating project-oriented, self-learning; Specific chapters dedicated to the five content topics usually taught particularly badly in today's schools. - Publisher.