The Enduring Vision, Volume II: A History of the American People: Since 1865

I used the third edition of this book, it was only one volume covering from clonial age to the first election of Clinton. This was the book assigned to my high school and AP history class (my setup was weird 4 periods a week of standard High School history, and 2 a week of AP level history). This book prepared me really well for the AP US Exam, while I have not yet received my score, I am very confident I knew the material well. This book also really helped me for the SAT Subject Test: US History, on which I scored a 96th percentile 780. While this book is good for intense history courses, I believe it is too hard for a standard high school level US History course. This is because it covers too much material for that type of class. This book is very well written, and at times can often be interesting to read, what other text books can say that.

Lets face it a lot of history texts are prozaic and they do not have to be. Boyer and the other contributers deliver a text that is well written in the sense that it is somewhat enjoyable. The most important aspect of a text book is the information and The Enduring Vision does not fall short here either. I have used this book for background information in American history as a serious history student. It is a great source for quickly refreshing your mind on seldom visited topics. This would also make an excellent high school history text, but was really written for introductry college courses in American history from the colonial era to the present.

I used The Enduring Vision as a text for my AP US History class in high school. The organization, development, and discussion in the book increased my understanding of each era of our history. When used as one of two or three texts for the AP class (which I do recommend), The Enduring Vision provided me with insight into the major aspects of our history. The Student Manual to accompany The Enduring Vision was also a helpful tool in preparing for the AP Exam.

Our class utilized this book in our AP History class during my junior year in high school. Back then it seemed like a big load to tow, but it was well woth the effort. The detail put into this volume proves it to be an indisposible source for writing concise, intriguing essays: something that your AP graders will appreciate. I also recommend the accessory study guide which will provide you with chapter summaries, and many other study clues. I enjoyed this book so much that I am now purchasing a copy of my own to use throughout college. If you have ever felt as if history was just a matter of memorizing dates and names, then you will be blown away at what is in store for you in The Enduring Vision. American History has never seemed so alive.

I have read reviews from different students in regard to this book. It was really never designed for a high school text and yes it is difficult reading, but it contains more facts and information than any college level or high school level history text. I was so impressed that I ordered the cd-rom edition to use for my student teaching experience. I have found this book even difficult can be of great importance to the student and yes in College and as in high school if the instructor uses the book improperly it can be hell. It is best used by the chunking method a little bit at a time. I wish I could find a replacement cd-rom for the cd-rom version of this book it was most helpfull in teaching history with videos, pictures, and speeches. I kind of wish the book was not out of print though.