Books on American History
Many contemporary US history books warp true history, such as the 1619 Project or Howard Zinn's textbook. I've collected several volumes that tell the traditional story of America.
As mentioned in my previous Newton Library Update post, I shelve my history books chronologically. However, I’ve placed world history and American history as separate sections, and at the end of my US history section, I include regional accounts. Many of these books cover Washington state and its local areas.
American History Curriculum
America’s History: A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories (1215-1776), vol. 1.
Ages 7–13. Non-woke, secular US history by a Washington state libertarian author. See the website for volume 2, lesson plans, and audio files for the books. See my review of earlier Tuttle Twins books.
America’s Providential History
Not a typical history textbook, this book focuses on the Christian influence on American history. The goal of the authors, and the Providence Foundation, is to disciple the nation to follow God. For students and adults. A teacher’s guide and documentary sourcebooks are available on the publisher’s website.
United States History for Christian Schools
Bob Jones University Press (1991) high school text.
American Heritage Series
by Peter Marshall Jr and David Manuel
The Light and the Glory: Discovering God’s Plan for America (1492 to 1783)
From Sea to Shining Sea: God’s Plan for America Unfolds (1787 to 1837)
Sounding Forth the Trumpet: God’s Plan for America in Peril (1837 to 1860)
Each title has a children’s version and an elementary activity book. I used these books of providential history as supplements for our elementary American history study.
Stand-Alone History Books
Overview of US History
America: A Patriotic Primer
This picture book introduces young children to American values and symbols.
The American Reader: Words that Moved Nation
I greatly enjoyed reading this about five years ago. However, I was disappointed that the more modern selections leaned left.
Great Americans in Their Own Words
This anthology of autobiographical writings from 20 men and women from US history provides secondary students primary sources for study. The authors range from Benjamin Franklin to Helen Keller.
Presidents: Profiles in Courage of the Men Who Have Led Our Nation
This thin volume has a pull-out timeline and encyclopedic summaries of all the presidents through George W. Bush.
...If You Series
If You Lived in Colonial Times
If You Grew Up with George Washington
If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon
If You Were a Pioneer on the Prairie
If You Lived with the Sioux Indians
If Your Name was Changed at Ellis Island
If You Lived at the Time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake
This delightful picture book series uses a Q&A format to introduce children to life during a given historical period. For ages 7-10.
Politically Incorrect Guide (PIG) Series
The PIG to the Founding Fathers
The PIG to the South (and Why It Will Rise Again)
The PIG to the Great Depression and the New Deal
My husband and I are fond of the PIG series, and I believe the American history book (2004) started the series. Written like a Dummy book, these books are easy for an adult to read (I found the one on the Constitution somewhat challenging) and accessible to a teen. Because they are written to counter the leftist narrative that dominates our culture, the authors can go a little overboard to the right to make their point.
Colonial/Founding Era
The World of Capt. John Smith
Genevieve Foster’s books are popular with homeschoolers. Upper elementary, middle school level.
Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American Flag
Level 2 reader
Drive Thru History America: Columbus to the Constitution
By the Home School Legal Defense Association (DVD). This is the first of a series of videos on American history for high school students. Fun and informative.
Faith of Our Founding Fathers. High school and up.
Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of Our Founding Fathers
These two books provide mini-biographies of some Founding Fathers and seek to correct the misconception that the US Constitution was founded by Deists.
Civil War
Civil War Sub: The Mystery of the Hunley
Level 3 reader. One of my son’s favorite books in elementary school.
The Story of the Monitor and the Merrimac
This Sonlight booklet describes the battle between the two ironclad warships. Upper elementary.
The Golden Book of the Civil War: Adapted for Young Readers
I recently acquired this 1960 book from my aunt, who had it as a teen. The introduction suggests the Civil War tested the United States as a nation. Slavery was a secondary issue.
The First Book of the Confederacy
(1968), juvenile
The Story of the Confederate States; or, History of the War for Southern Independence, originally published in 1895; republished in 1996. “...designed especially for the boys and girls of the South.”
Even though I haven’t gotten around to reading these books, the more I learn about the Southern perspective, the more I realize how complicated the issues surrounding the American Civil War (or the War Between the States,* a more appropriate name) were.
I include them in this post to give my readers perspectives they may not find in typical history curricula. To be well-educated, one needs to read from multiple perspectives, even children according to their maturity level.
*As a political science minor, I learned that a civil war is defined when one or more factions seek to overthrow a current government to replace it. The South had no intention of overthrowing the government of the United States. They sought to secede and form their own nation. Their action differs little from the American War of Independence from Britain. Thus, it is incorrect to call that war a civil war. But the name has stuck.
Wild West
Silver Kings: The Lives and Times of MacKay, Fair, Flood, and O’Brien, Lords of the Nevada Comstock Lode (1947)
I’m not sure where I picked up this book, but it dovetails with our 2022 summer vacation stop in Butte, MT, where we learned about some of the mining tycoons of that region. I picked up Vigilante Days & Ways (first published in 1890) at the Nevada City, MT, which covers frontier life of Montana’s gold rush.
Women of the West
A collection of one-page biographies from Sacajawea to unknown women’s diary entries.
20th century
The Story of the Panama Canal
A Sonlight booklet
American Subcultures
A Kids’ Guide to African American History
More Than Moccasins: A Kid’s Activity Guide to Traditional North American Indian Life
A Kids’ Guide to Asian American History
These three books offer short pieces on history and culture and 70 different activities and projects for elementary students.
Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing,
An excellent picture book
The Lebanese in America, juvenile
My mother’s maternal grandfather was from Lebanon and settled in British Columbia. I picked up this book for family heritage.
Biographies
Beyond Stateliest Marble: The Passionate Femininity of Anne Bradstreet
fantastic Puritan poet
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
By Eric Metaxas, a picture book that gives a Christian account of Squanto’s life.
Paul Revere: Son of Liberty, Easy Biographies
Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman
juvenile
Meet Martin Luther King, Jr.
Step-Up Books
See my post on biographies for children for more historical figures.
Historical Fiction
American Girl series
Little House series
Sonlight Books
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, colonial period
Excellent fictionalized biography of an amazing man.
By the Great Horn Spoon!, California gold rush
Humorous story.
Across Five Aprils, Civil War
The Great Wheel, 1893 World’s Expedition in Chicago
See my post on juvenile fiction for more historical fiction titles.
Regional History
This subsection contains travel, museum, and national park guides on places such as Williamsburg and Mount Rushmore and books such as those listed below.
Washington State History
Exploring Washington’s Past: A Road Guide to History
1989 travel guide
Washington State, 3rd Edition, 2003 textbook
A Horse’s Tale: Ten Adventures in 100 Years,
Juvenile fiction telling the state’s history
Washington Regional Books
Bellevue Timeline: The Story of Washington’s Leading-Edge City from Homesteads to High Rises, 1863–2003.
My hometown.
A Journey Through the Maxwelton Watershed: A Natural and Social History
South Whidbey, Washington
Sons of the Profits: There’s No Business Like Grow Business
Tells of the early Wild West history of Seattle, 1851-1901.
The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay
The one event my dad recalls for his Washington State history course. In 2001, Doug and I visited the site on San Juan Island.
The Seattle General Strike
In 1919, labor unions staged a historical strike that shaped US history.
Seventy Years of Progress in Washington
By Ezra Meeker (1830–1928), pioneer and founder of Puyallup
The Space Needle: Symbol of Seattle
Women to Reckon With: Untamed Women of the Olympic Wilderness
Images of America Series
Biographies
Narcissa Whitman: Brave Pioneer
Easy Biographies
Attack in the Rye Grass: Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
Trailblazer series
Antique History Books
I have a small selection of antique American history books that may be viewed in my home.