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Product Details
Touchstone, October 2007
Trade Paperback, 464 pages
ISBN-10: 074329629X
ISBN-13: 9780743296298
Description
In Lies Across America, James W. Loewen continues his mission, begun in the award-winning Lies My Teacher Told Me, of overturning the myths and misinformation that too often pass for American history. This is a one-of-a-kind examination of sites all over the country where history is literally written on the landscape, including historical markers, monuments, historic houses, forts, and ships. With entries drawn from each of the fifty states, Loewen reveals that:
- The USS Intrepid, the "feel-good" war museum, celebrates its glorious service in World War II but nowhere mentions the three tours it served in Vietnam.
- The Jefferson Memorial misquotes from the Declaration of Independence and skews Jefferson's writings to present this conflicted slave owner as a near abolitionist.
- Abraham Lincoln had been dead for thirty years when his birthplace cabin was built.
Lies Across America is a realty check for anyone who has ever sought to learn about America through the nation's public sites and markers. Entertaining and enlightening, it is destined to change the way American readers see their country.
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"Jim-dandy pop history...This is one work of history no one will call boring." - Jim O'Brien, USA Today
"Loewen is a one-man historical truth squad....He has written a devastating portrait of how American history is commemorated." - The Nation
"Brims with fascinating history." - Los Angeles Times
"A winner by any criteria: informative, stimulating, and challenging. Loewen's wry wit is a welcome bonus." - Edwin C. Bearss, former chief historian, National Park Service
Michael RossThe Times-Picayune (New Orleans)A remarkable achievement....A brisk, entertaining, and, at times, inspiring read....Lies Across America is full of fascinating facts, challenging ideas and important insights. You will never read a roadside historical marker the same way again.
Mary CurtisThe Charlotte ObserverThe book is a fascinating study of what this country chooses to honor and why. As interesting as what is honored is what is left out.
Thom StoreyThe TennesseanFor the real deal on U.S. history, pick up Lies Across America....You will second-guess your history courses with revealing facts that counter conventional wisdom from sites in Alabama to Wyoming....Each site's misinformation is refuted with detailed and credible research.
George MorrisThe Sunday Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)Loewen has produced a remarkably readable book about how many historic sites provide false, misleading or incomplete information.
James BaldwinAsheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC)Filled with compelling examples of how history texts fail to inform our schoolchildren and how educators can correct the myths and misperceptions.
David HammackThe Plain Dealer (Cleveland)A wonderful idea for a book....Loewen makes a good case for the idea that most historic sites lie.
Library JournalThis book takes an often amusing look at the strange and sometimes sinister motivation behind the creation of many of America's historic sites.
Robin W. WinksTownsend Professor of History, Yale UniversityAn astute, funny, yet very serious book....Lies Across America will make us think hard about how easily the public can be misled by a group determined to get their view of history displayed on our roadsides.
Carol Kammenauthor of On Doing Local HistoryA marvelous review of America's past that will engage and delight the reader. Loewen exposes with humor and outrage the lies told by our public monuments. He is the high school history teacher we all should have had.
David Lowenthaauthor of The Past Is a Foreign Country and The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of HistoryAn exhilarating, irreverent, often hilarious romp across our commemorative landscape, deftly mixing vivid reportage with caustic muckraking.
Thomas ConnorsProfessor of History, University of Northern IowaI would have thought it impossible for Loewen to write a book that I would find more interesting than Lies My Teacher Told Me, but he's managed to do so.
Ira BerlinProfessor of History, University of MarylandA great book, a fun book, and an important book.
Tom O'BrienUSA TodayJim-dandy pop history....Peppy yet erudite, educational yet a fast-paced read. This is one work of history no one will call boring.
Christopher ReynoldsLos Angeles TimesBrims with fascinating history.
Edwin C. Bearssformer Chief Historian, National Park ServiceA winner by any criteria: informative, stimulating, and challenging. Loewen¹s wry wit is a welcome bonus.
Eric FonerThe NationLoewen is a one-man historical truth squad....He has written a devastating portrait of how American history is commemorated.
James W. Loewen's Books
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Lies My Teacher Told MeJames W. Loewen unveils the real American history in this classic beloved by teachers, history buffs, and enlightened citizens across the country.Read More
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Sundown TownsNo blacks allowed, especially after dark. This was the unwritten rule in a "sundown" town. In his trademark revelatory style, bestselling author James...Read More
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