The Great Republic: A History of the American People, Volume II

If you are seeking a balanced yet interpretive and thourgh version of the story of America I do not think one can do better than this book. The authors somehow have managed to bring exceptional detail and analysis of how the United States came fom early colonization by Europeans right up to the very recent past while leaving out obvious bias and were still able to make the narative exciting and compelling. I teach history and, although The Great Republic is written at too high of a level to be of much use in my at-risk-kids high school classroom, it has proved itself invaluable to me as a reference work. I read it cover to cover. If you are an American History nut this book belongs in your library as the definitive general reference text.