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Posted inAsk Prof. History

What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?

Can you recommend a good general book on U.S. history?
by Mr. History7/19/20161/24/2018
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Can you recommend a good general book on U.S. history?

Thank you,

Howard Lang

 

???

 

Dear Mr. Lang,

Since a nation’s history is an ongoing thing (today’s current event will be history in another five to ten years), that’s a hard call to make, since general histories can often go from “last word on the subject” to dated. That said, A Short History of the United States by Robert V. Remini has a good reputation (mind you, his idea of “short” is 400 pages). For more depth there is the 12-volume, 800-page Oxford History of the United States. Eric Foner’s The Story of American Freedom is a political/social/cultural overview that is more even-handed and comprehensive than the title might suggest.
Sincerely,

 

Jon Guttman

Research Director

World History

historynet.go-vip.net

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    Citation information

    Mr. History (2/25/2026) What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?. HistoryNet Retrieved from https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/.
    "What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?."Mr. History - 2/25/2026, https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/
    Mr. History 7/19/2016 What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?., viewed 2/25/2026,<https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/>
    Mr. History - What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?. [Internet]. [Accessed 2/25/2026]. Available from: https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/
    Mr. History. "What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?." Mr. History - Accessed 2/25/2026. https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/
    "What Is a Good Book On U.S. History?." Mr. History [Online]. Available: https://historynet.com/what-is-a-good-book-on-u-s-history/. [Accessed: 2/25/2026]

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