Freedom: A History of US

This is the most entertaining as well as one of the most informative history books I have ever read, the companion volume to the PBS series from Kunhardt Productions. However, it can stand alone on its own merits. It is also the basis of ten individual volumes in a series also written by Joy Hakim. Contrary to what other reviewers apparently think, I have no problem with the fact that the brief Foreword was co-written by George W. and Laura Bush. A close reading of this volume as well as of the ten volumes in the complementary series indicates no political bias whatsoever. Had the Foreword been written by Abraham Lincoln, would those sympathetic with the Confederate cause objected? I am among those who attended public schools, grades 1-12, and whose understanding of U.S. history was based almost entirely on material in textbooks. Only later, in college and then in graduate school, did I realize how much the material in those textbooks had been sanitized. Having said that, I do not want to suggest that any of Hakim's narrative is controversial nor to suggest that the material she presents lacks authenticity. My point is, obviously, that history books can be -- indeed should be -- entertaining as well as informative. The Schamas (father and son) as well as McCullough, Edmund Morris, Ambrose, Foote, and countless other authors of bestsellers have certainly demonstrated that.Following a brief Introduction, Hakim presents her material within 16 Parts, followed by the full text of "The Declaration of Independence" and then a cluster of brief excerpts from the Constitution of the United States selected by Henry J. Abraham and Barbara A. Perry, excerpted from their book, Freedom and the Court. As already indicated, I think the text is exceptionally well-written and also congratulate the producers of this book on the inclusion of hundreds of illustrations, many of them full-color reproductions of paintings by artists such as John Trumbull, Peter Rothermel, Emanuel Leutze, John Mix Stanley, Edward Hicks, George Caleb Bingham, John Gast, Charles T. Webber, Currier & Ives, Archibald Motley, Jr., O. Louis Guglielmi, Alexandre Hogue, William Johnson, Ben Shahn, and Norman Rockwell, The reader is also provided with an abundance of archival photographs, many of which I had not previously seen.It would be a mistake to characterize this volume as a "coffee table book." True, that is where it has been placed in our living room but I hasten to add that almost all of those who visit us (including grandchildren) almost immediately pick it up and soon become engrossed in the text and illustrations. Unlike most other history books I have read over the years, I return to this one almost daily, either to read (or re-read) about a specific person and event, or, merely to browse. In another review, I will discuss the ten complementary volumes. Joy Hakim and her publisher, Oxford University Press, eminently deserve the praise they have received thus far and will continue

I don't usually write reviews, but I had to take a moment when I saw the numerous reviews from people who didn't appear to have even read the book (at least that's my perception after reading their segments)! This book is excellent - very well writen and insightful. Although for a histroy buff there wasn't anything really new to me, the fact that it isn't a hard-to-read tome makes it all the more accessible to the majority of readers... That said, it seems that several reviewers were put-off by the choice of a President and First Lady being chosen to write the "Forward". Whether we like George Bush or agree with his politics is not the point here. He is our President and will have a place in our history - which is what this book celebrates - The History Of US. If one can't get past the fact Bush and Laura wrote the forward and are offended such that as a result one doesn't read the book, I don't know how one can truly review it? Just a thought for you to consider as you read these reviews...

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the past, present, and future of American freedom. This book is a terrific read for parents and children alike. Hakim's narrative makes history come alive and the characters jump off of the page.

Joy Hakim has a gift for making you feel like you're sitting down with her for a chat over coffee while she tells you amazing stories about American history. As she leads you through the revolution, the making of a nation, to the brink of civil war you can feel the tension and issues at stake. By the time I got to the twentieth century I felt I really understood the evolution of the American experiment for the first time. She's got a bouncy style with her narrative, moving back and forth between the present tense and the past so you feel the immediacy of the events taking place. The book is particularly good with making sense of recent history and what how the past informs us about what's happening right now. I'll remember the stories, and therefore the history, that comes through so well in this book. The book is also beautifully illustrated. The cover conveys the drama that's contained inside. I recommend this book for anyone who has ever wished they knew more about American history but didn't want to read dry, boring books to get it.

Joy Hakim has done it again--this time for adults as well as young adults. My kids use A History of US books in school, and they rave about American history. Telling me stories about this person or that. Since moving away from bland textbooks and reading the exciting stories of our past in Hakim's books, their test scores have improved and they like history. It's amazing!When I heard about Freedom I bought it immediately, and I can say that now I see what the fuss is all about. I'm loving it! I never knew that much about American history, but I feel like I'm really learning the basics. She really carries you along on an amazing journey--a page-turner that is sharp, engaging, critical, and full of flavor. The book is beautiful and I love the illustrations and asides. I've even given a copy to my parents to read. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to brush up on our nation's history.