Monday, January 14, 2019
Lies My Teacher Told Me
by James W. Loewen
Last read in January 2005.
on my shelf
LibraryThing link
Last read in January 2005.
on my shelf
LibraryThing link
Labels: JamesLoewen, OnMyShelf
Friday, January 07, 2005
Lies My Teacher Told Me
by James Loewen
This is another one of those books that I had on my shelf and decided to reread. I had recalled this book, subtitled "Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong", as one that pointed out the general failings of U.S. History textbooks. Mr. Loewen, a teacher and author, looked at twelve different high school-level history textbooks and compared it to current historical research. (Like other social sciences, the "facts" of history are subject to debate and interpretation, so there's no undisputed standard with which to compare.) What he found was that the textbooks mostly boiled down the story of America to a bland, biased and often inaccurate account of events. He discussed certain themes, from European colonization to the government's actions of the recent past, and showed what things the textbooks tended to leave out. He also showed what effect that such spin might have on the students who have to study such stuff. He also looks at why our textbooks end up the way they are, touching on the textbook development process and the social forces that color our official teaching of history. I had recalled the book as being rather unbiased, neither giving undue praise or condemnation to the historical characters discussed. I had to change my opinion upon rereading the volume. I've read a bit more history in the years since I first read Lies, inspired to do so greatly by this book, and I now have to say that Mr. Loewen is rather liberal. But I still think he's honest and willing to treat the "heroes" of our history as neither angels or devils, but real, flawed human beings. It's an approach I'd like to imitate as I share our history with my own "students"--my daughters. It's one that I hope would encourage them to not simply be an audience to a boring tale, but rather to see themselves as contributing authors to the ongoing story of our people.
LibraryThing link
This is another one of those books that I had on my shelf and decided to reread. I had recalled this book, subtitled "Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong", as one that pointed out the general failings of U.S. History textbooks. Mr. Loewen, a teacher and author, looked at twelve different high school-level history textbooks and compared it to current historical research. (Like other social sciences, the "facts" of history are subject to debate and interpretation, so there's no undisputed standard with which to compare.) What he found was that the textbooks mostly boiled down the story of America to a bland, biased and often inaccurate account of events. He discussed certain themes, from European colonization to the government's actions of the recent past, and showed what things the textbooks tended to leave out. He also showed what effect that such spin might have on the students who have to study such stuff. He also looks at why our textbooks end up the way they are, touching on the textbook development process and the social forces that color our official teaching of history. I had recalled the book as being rather unbiased, neither giving undue praise or condemnation to the historical characters discussed. I had to change my opinion upon rereading the volume. I've read a bit more history in the years since I first read Lies, inspired to do so greatly by this book, and I now have to say that Mr. Loewen is rather liberal. But I still think he's honest and willing to treat the "heroes" of our history as neither angels or devils, but real, flawed human beings. It's an approach I'd like to imitate as I share our history with my own "students"--my daughters. It's one that I hope would encourage them to not simply be an audience to a boring tale, but rather to see themselves as contributing authors to the ongoing story of our people.
LibraryThing link
Labels: JamesLoewen, OnMyShelf
Monday, December 10, 2001
Lies Across America
by James W. Loewen
This one's essentially a sequel to Loewen's earlier work Lies My Teacher Told Me, and like all sequels it's somewhat inferior. However, Lies My Teacher Told Me was a great book so this one is worth checking out even if you have read the first. The theme of these two tomes is that when we Americans remember our history, we tend to be biased. We hype the things that make us feel good and ignore, if not lie about, our failures, sins and weaknesses. Loewen gives a number of examples of this and then tells the "true" story, warts and all. (I enclose true in quotes because although I believe there is such a thing as truth, I don't believe that it is something one can possess. Loewen is as capable of error and bias as the rest of us.) In Lies My Teacher Told Me he looks at American History text books to show what garbage we're trying to feed our high school students. In Lies Across America, he looks at the garbage some of our historic sites push to the general public. In all he reviews 95 sites from coast to coast. Some he dissects thouroughly, others he uses as an example of errors that are repeated in a number of monuments. All are written in a rather entertaining style, and all contain material that is thought provoking. (well, all but one...you can figure out which one it is.) If you're like me, reading this book will make you never trust an expert again. (WARNING: This book is not suitable for members of the United Daughters of the Confedracy. Mr. Loewen does not appreciate your efforts.)
LibraryThing link
This one's essentially a sequel to Loewen's earlier work Lies My Teacher Told Me, and like all sequels it's somewhat inferior. However, Lies My Teacher Told Me was a great book so this one is worth checking out even if you have read the first. The theme of these two tomes is that when we Americans remember our history, we tend to be biased. We hype the things that make us feel good and ignore, if not lie about, our failures, sins and weaknesses. Loewen gives a number of examples of this and then tells the "true" story, warts and all. (I enclose true in quotes because although I believe there is such a thing as truth, I don't believe that it is something one can possess. Loewen is as capable of error and bias as the rest of us.) In Lies My Teacher Told Me he looks at American History text books to show what garbage we're trying to feed our high school students. In Lies Across America, he looks at the garbage some of our historic sites push to the general public. In all he reviews 95 sites from coast to coast. Some he dissects thouroughly, others he uses as an example of errors that are repeated in a number of monuments. All are written in a rather entertaining style, and all contain material that is thought provoking. (well, all but one...you can figure out which one it is.) If you're like me, reading this book will make you never trust an expert again. (WARNING: This book is not suitable for members of the United Daughters of the Confedracy. Mr. Loewen does not appreciate your efforts.)
LibraryThing link
Labels: CheckItOut, JamesLoewen
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