The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to American History (Politically Incorrect Guides) by Thomas E. Woods Jr. Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to American History (Politically Incorrect Guides)
Book Review: A history teacher's review (also a Conservative's review)
Summary: 3 Stars
As a real history teacher (as opposed to the coach history "teacher" that to many people have had) I was looking forward to this book since I read and enjoyed another P.I.G. book on global warming.
I have few quibbles or quarrels with the facts presented. Woods has done his research and I would even recommend parts of this book as a supplement to read alongside a regular American History book. He is especially strong on his facts about the Founding Fathers and the Constitution.
However, I do have an issue with the way it is presented. Woods states in his preface that this book is not intended to be an alternative, non-PC history book. But, what is is exactly. I have pegged it as a supplement, but Woods really fails to do so. Sometimes, the book tries to come off as a "Gotcha! Betcha didn't know this!" trivia book, other times it goes into pretty strong detail and nearly is as well-rounded as some high school or middle school textbooks (particularly in the Revolutionary War/Constitution section). The end of the book (Clinton) comes off almost like one of the dime-a-dozen political books that are written by Michael Moore and Ann Coulter.
This guide to American History does enter a crowded field. There are plenty of other books out there that serve a similar purpose such as "Don't Know Much About History". The difference may be in political slant.
Although Woods does a tremendous job with the Founders, I believe he did an very poor write up on the Civil War. Lincoln's racial views were stated too simplistically. Also, they are not exactly secret anymore - textbooks cover Lincoln quite well nowadays. He also overstates the strength of democracy of the South at the time in a rather lengthy argument about the Gettysburg Address. Woods note that he thinks the Address is ironic as a statement of democratic ideals since Lincoln was, at that very moment, destroying the expressed will of the Southern people who were trying to secede. Woods leaves out details such as the aristocratic nature of Southern politics at the time, the fact that uplanders (non-plantation, small farmers in the hills and mountains) were quick to join the Union armies since they felt the aristocratic plantation owners were not representing them in state government and had shut them out of the halls of power. That is how West Virginia was formed and how Tennessee earned the nickname "The Volunteer State" - it had an incredible amount of volunteers for both sides of the fight.
Also, in the same section, Woods mis-characterizes Ben Butler's Order #28, the strength of the anti-slavery sentiment in some factions of the Union Army (although, certainly not the majority of it).
However, I don't want to go through a point by point refutation of each part. Suffice to say, Thomas has a decent supplement of mostly good quality here.
I give this one a C+. Minus one star for the lack of focus I mentioned above. Minus one star for his treatment of the Civil War section.
Book Review: The other side of politically correct.....
Summary: 5 Stars
It is great to see "the rest of the story" to many reported cleansed versions of history and history makers.
Interesting read...Abe Lincoln's thoughts about slavery will surprise you.
Any history buff will enjoy it.
Book Review: The Patriots American History book
Summary: 5 Stars
The author Thomas Woods is a genius. He tells you why most of the history you learned in high school was wrong. He uses facts. I never knew that Thomas Jefferson thought so highly of states rights. I also did not know that Lyndon Johnson stole his first Senate race. I can't wait for his new book to come out. Read it you wil be filled with the truth.Book Review: Good Honest Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is full of more truths than all the history books I have used and taught out of. I recommend that all history majors look over this book and would be a useful primer while a freshamn or sophmore.Book Review: Full of glaring omissions
Summary: 2 Stars
As a staunch conservative, I gave this book a try. It does contain some very good information that most textbooks leave out. However this is all overshadowed by several glaring omissions.
Glaring Omission #1: Andersonville. In Dr. Woods rush to blame the entire Civil War on the evil North while make South out to be saint like. He even makes the claim that Robert E. Lee was able for the most part to keep the Confederate Army within the boundaries of the civilized laws of war. Dr. Woods seems to forget the Andersonville prison camp and other Southern atrocities while making sure to mention Northern ones.
Glaring Omission #2: The Zimmerman Telegram. In Dr. Woods's zeal to blame all of World War I on Woodrow Wilson, he forgets to even mention the Zimmerman Telegram.
Another claim that is dubious at best: FDR's refusal to meet with the `moderate' Japanese Prime Minister led to the fall of the moderates and rise of militarism. I guess invading China is `moderate' to Dr. Woods.