Books Like...
If you liked A People's History of the United States, here are the top 100 books to read next:
A powerful, necessary (if sometimes tough) read that dramatically shifts your view of American history - essential for anyone ready to confront the country’s legacy with honesty and depth, but better as a starting point than the final word.
'An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States' by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a perspective on American history told from the viewpoint of Indigenous peoples. The author delves into the genocidal program of the US settler colonial regime that has been largely omitted from traditional history books. Through the narrative, Dunbar-Ortiz reveals how Native Americans actively resisted the expansion of the US empire over centuries. discusses the atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples, the historical context of colonization, and the impact of settler colonialism on the Indigenous population.
The writing style of the book is described as informative, brutally honest, and necessary for understanding the reality of white Americans' actions towards Native Americans over the last four hundred years. While not a comprehensive history, the book presents a detailed account of Anglo-Indigenous relations throughout American history, shedding light on the sobering truth of the country's treatment of Indigenous peoples. Dunbar-Ortiz's work challenges traditional narratives of American history and encourages readers to view the nation's past from a different perspective, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and learning from the Indigenous perspective.
Humanoids existed on Earth for around four million years as hunters and gatherers living in small communal groups that through their movements found and populated every continent. Some two hundred tho...September 2014•315 pages- #2
Save:A must-read for anyone curious about the real stories behind America's history - and how those stories shape our views today. Challenging and sometimes uncomfortable, but ultimately inspiring if you’re willing to question what you’ve always been taught.
'Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong' by James W. Loewen is a critique of American history textbooks that offers real history to counteract the empty platitudes found in those textbooks. delves into white Americans' relationships with Native Americans and African Americans, pointing out the discrepancies and omissions in traditional historical narratives. Loewen reviews twelve American history books, highlighting their shortcomings and the importance of teaching controversial aspects of history. The writing style is described as informative, eye-opening, and engaging, providing readers with a fresh perspective on American history.
One is astonished in the study of history at the recurrence of the idea that evil must be forgotten, distorted, skimmed over. We must not remember that Daniel Webster got drunk but only remember that...1995•384 pages - #3
Save:A meticulous and readable exposé of the dark side of Cold War politics - disturbing, essential, and hauntingly relevant today.
Vincent Bevins' book, 'The Jakarta Method', delves into the dark history of Washington's anticommunist crusade and the mass murder program that had a profound impact on the world. Through extensive research and compelling storytelling, Bevins uncovers the brutal realities of imperialism, CIA interventions, and the violent suppression of socialist movements in various third world countries. The book sheds light on the ruthless tactics employed by the U.S. government to further its interests, the devastating consequences of these actions on local populations, and the lasting effects that still resonate today.
THE UNITED STATES, A WESTERN European settler colony in North America, emerged from World War II as by far the most powerful state on Earth. This was a surprise to most Americans, and to most of the w...May 2020•377 pages An entertaining, accessible, and provocative look at the United States as an empire - essential reading if you want to understand the country beyond the familiar 50 states. Expect to be surprised and maybe a little unsettled.
How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr delves into the history of US imperialism, shedding light on often overlooked aspects of American history such as territories, military bases abroad, and the impact of US expansionism on various populations. Immerwahr's narrative prose and structure make the book highly engaging and informative, offering a detailed exploration of how the United States came to control a significant portion of global affairs while avoiding the creation of traditional colonies.
The thirteen colonies that would make up the United States declared independence from Britain in 1776. Freedom, however, takes many forms. Just a year earlier, the hunter Daniel Boone and thirty or so...February 2019•565 pagesA thought-provoking and ambitious world history that explains why technological and societal advancement favored some societies over others - fascinating for big-picture thinkers, even if it occasionally gets bogged down by repetition and sweeping generalizations.
'Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies' by Jared Diamond explores the impact of geography and environmental factors on the development of different human cultures throughout history. Diamond delves into topics such as the rise of civilizations, the spread of agriculture, technological advancements, and the interactions between different societies. The writing style of the book is described as informative and thought-provoking, although some readers find it lengthy and repetitive at times. Diamond presents a theory that emphasizes the role of luck and geographic circumstances rather than biological superiority in shaping the course of human history.
ASUITABLE STARTING POINT FROM WHICH TO COMPARE historical developments on the different continents is around 11,000 B.C.* This date corresponds approximately to the beginnings of village life in a few...January 1991•555 pagesA powerful, eye-opening read that exposes how mass incarceration perpetuates racial inequality in 'colorblind' America. Essential for anyone seeking to understand or change the system - even if it isn’t always an easy read, it’s an important one.
"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the systematic subjugation of black men in America. Through meticulously researched arguments, Alexander reveals the deeply embedded racial biases within the criminal justice system, highlighting the disparities and injustices faced by black and brown individuals. The book traces the historical trajectory of mass incarceration, exposing the racial motivations behind the criminal industrial complex and shedding light on a new caste system that mirrors the oppressive nature of the Jim Crow era.
The writing style of the book is described as intelligent, powerful, and gut-wrenching, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism in the United States. Alexander blends academic sources with common sense observations to create a compelling narrative that not only educates but also urges readers to take action against the injustices perpetuated by the current criminal justice system.
For more than one hundred years, scholars have written about the illusory nature of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Abraham Lincoln issued a declaration purporting to free slaves held in Sout...2010•291 pagesBrash, breezy, and filled with big ideas, Sapiens is a stimulating crash course in human history. It’s an entertaining gateway to thinking about who we are, though not everyone will agree (or approve) of Harari’s takes. Read it for the conversation, not as the last word.
'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' by Yuval Noah Harari is a thought-provoking exploration of the history of humans, spanning from our early caveman days to modern times. The author delves into the three major revolutions of cognitive, agricultural, and scientific advancements, shedding light on human myths and societal constructs like capitalism and free market. Through insightful discussions, the book examines the evolution of mankind, from the domestication of fire to the mastery of our surroundings, while also speculating on the future impact of humans on life on earth.
About 300,000 years after their appearance, matter and energy started to coalesce into complex structures, called atoms, which then combined into molecules. The story of atoms, molecules and their int...2011•492 pagesA bold, pithy, and often eye-opening critique of modern power structures - especially for those interested in the crossroads of fascism and communism. Not everyone's cup of tea, but a must-read for the politically curious and left-minded.
'Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism' by Michael Parenti draws parallels between historical events and contemporary issues, debunking myths about former communist regimes while highlighting the importance of awareness and resistance against fascism. Through a methodical examination, the book provides insights into the forces that shaped the modern world, making it a valuable resource for those interested in equity, the future of society, and understanding the dynamics between authoritarianism and communism. With a succinct and accessible writing style, Parenti differentiates fascism from socialism, offering a critical analysis of capitalism's relationship with fascism.
Let us begin with a look at fascism’s founder. Born in 1883, the son of a blacksmith, Benito Mussolini’s early manhood was marked by street brawls, arrests, jailings, and violent radical political act...June 1997•168 pagesA bold, ambitious exposé that argues disaster is big business - and challenges how we think about shock, reform, and who really benefits. Essential reading for anyone looking to understand the hidden patterns behind world-shaking events.
Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism' is a compelling and eye-opening exploration of how global economics and geopolitics intersect to create environments of exploitation, ruthlessness, and cruelty. Klein argues that disasters, whether natural, political, or economic, are seized upon by global corporations to further their agenda, leading to the privatization of public services and the perpetuation of wealth inequality. Through a series of well-researched examples, Klein reveals the insidious nature of disaster capitalism and its impact on societies around the world. The book is a thought-provoking examination of the modern capitalist state and the influence of multinational corporations on government functions.
Klein's writing style is described as daring, passionate, and journalistic. She presents a collection of facts in a compelling and informative manner, drawing readers in with her thought-provoking analysis of historical events and economic ideologies. The book challenges readers to rethink their understanding of global capitalism and the forces at play in shaping modern society, offering a critical perspective on the intersection of politics, economics, and power dynamics.
I went to the slaughterhouse to observe this so-called "electric slaughtering," and I saw that the hogs were clamped at the temples with big metallic tongs which were hooked up to an electric current...2006•671 pages- #10
Save:A sweeping, thought-provoking adventure that dismantles the myth of inevitable social progress and expands your sense of what's possible - challenging, complex, and likely to spark big conversations about where humanity has been and where we could go next.
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow is a dense and thought-provoking exploration of humanity's early history, challenging traditional views of anthropological history. The book delves into various stateless ways in which people have organized themselves in the past, offering a high-level overview of different social and political organizations throughout history.
Graeber and Wengrow's writing style in The Dawn of Everything is described as verbose and polemical, with a strong anarchist vibe. The book aims to provide a new perspective on questions about the origins of social inequality, emphasizing the diversity among social and political organizations throughout history and questioning the idea of social-political evolution.
‘This mood makes itself felt everywhere, politically, socially, and philosophically. We are living in what the Greeks called the καιρóς (Kairos) – the right time – for a “metamorphosis of the gods,” i...November 2021•704 pages
