The Lies My Teacher Told Me book is written by James Loewen who is an American historian and social critic. The main idea of this book is that the history textbooks in America are full of lies and omissions which results in students having a very distorted view about their own history. Through this book, Loewen tries to set the record straight by uncovering these lies and giving readers a more accurate account of American history.
For who is this book for ?
The Lies My Teacher Told Me book is meant for students who are studying American history as well as the general public. Loewen provides a lot of evidence to support his arguments and he also includes testimonials from historians, teachers and students. This makes the book very credible and it helps readers to better understand how distorted America’s version of history really is.
Pros :
- It is highly informative and it corrects many of the false narratives that are portrayed in history textbooks.
- It helps to foster a sense of patriotism and appreciation for America’s history in readers.
- It is easy to read and engaging, making it an enjoyable experience for those who are interested in learning more about American history.
Cons :
- The author’s agenda may be a bit too transparent at times
- The tone of the book can be condescending and arrogant
- It is very long and dense, making it difficult to read
Learn more about the author
James W. Loewen is an American historian and social critic who specializes in the study of racism and capitalism. His most well-known work is the 1995 book Lies My Teacher Told Me, which critiques history textbooks used in the United States public school system.
Reader Reviews
“Every American should read this book.”
“A superb and shocking exposé of the myths promulgated in American history textbooks . . .”
“I used this book as a textbook for a high school level United States history class. I found it to be incredibly helpful in getting my students to think critically about what they were learning in school.”
“It is the sort of book that should be read by every student before taking a history course, and it would also be profitable for anyone interested in American society.”
