Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: After reading the previous reviews, I fully expected to get "American History Lite" when I read this book. What I did get instead was a book that while being primarily an overview describes the history of America in a clear, concise, and objective manner. As I enjoyed US history in school, reading through various chapters reminded me of "names from our past," George Washington, Davy Crockett, Kit Carson, "Blackjack" Pershing, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, etc. It also makes it easy to recount historical facts. One thing that stood out as I read through the book: the amount of violence in our past, be it wars with either the Indians in the early days of our history or with other countries. Of course, both World Wars were major conflagrations that required our assistance in stopping.I will agree with one other reviewer on one point. This book I feel would have benefitted from some maps showing the routes that early voyagers to America took, progress of the colonies, what parts of the US were acquired through various treaties or purchases, etc. Perhaps these could be added in a future edition. Other than that, this book gives a good recounting of our history, up to Y2K.
Rating:
Summary: An Intersting Read
Review: As a person who is just starting to get interested in history, I really enjoyed reading the Idiot's Guide. Although at times Axelrod went a little skimpish on big topics (only 5 pages on World War I) and he didn't have much about the growth of the United States until about 1870, I would reccomend this book to anyone who has a taste for history!
Rating:
Summary: Impressive stuff!
Review: As an Australian observer of U.S. history and politics, I found this book an impressive read. Concise, pithy, nicely balanced and structured. It's ideal for bringing history out of the closet and into children's class rooms, something that is badly lacking in my own country. Popular history at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive stuff!
Review: As an Australian observer of U.S. history and politics, I found this book an impressive read. Concise, pithy, nicely balanced and structured. It's ideal for bringing history out of the closet and into children's class rooms, something that is badly lacking in my own country. Popular history at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Praise to the Idiots Guide
Review: Being a self proclaimed historian I figured that this book would be similar to reading an elementary school text. I was very suprised! The way the text is written keeps even knowledgeable historians engrossed. Instead of the typical "eloquent" texts filled with English "fluff" this book gets to the point and tells you what is important. The only thing that was a little uncomfortable was having it on my coffee table (the title makes people wonder about you!). A great read.
Rating: 
Summary: No maps and other flaws...
Review: I cannot challenge the accuracy of this book, however, Axelrod is clearly a left-winger and his political leaning shows. He makes it very, very, very clear of his sympathies for the Indians and blacks. Geronimo or Molly Ivins could have written this book. The white man, especially the Spanish, are ripped apart. In later chapters he picks apart Reagan and other conservatives. Axelrod doesn't just state the facts, he interjects personal political jabs (very unprofessional). Also, there is not ONE map in this book. Early voyages, the progress of the colonies, etc. would become much clearer with maps. This is a major flaw. I will stay away from any book written by Axelrod.
Rating:
Summary: No maps and other flaws...
Review: I cannot challenge the accuracy of this book, however, Axelrod is clearly a left-winger and his political leaning shows. He makes it very, very, very clear of his sympathies for the Indians and blacks. Geronimo or Molly Ivins could have written this book. The white man, especially the Spanish, are ripped apart. In later chapters he picks apart Reagan and other conservatives. Axelrod doesn't just state the facts, he interjects personal political jabs (very unprofessional). Also, there is not ONE map in this book. Early voyages, the progress of the colonies, etc. would become much clearer with maps. This is a major flaw. I will stay away from any book written by Axelrod.
Rating:
Summary: An Intersting Read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. An a non-American it taught me an awful lot about American history in what I took as being from a very unbiased and impartial persepective. Politicians of both side of the devide are given equal voice and noted for both positive and negative achievements, similarly with English, Spanish, French, Black and Indian roles in American hsitory (or is it America's role in their histories?). Making the complex simple without making it stupid is the mark of a great summarizer, Axelrod does it extremely well. Buy the book. Enjoy life!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Overview for the Newcomer
Review: I really enjoyed this book. An a non-American it taught me an awful lot about American history in what I took as being from a very unbiased and impartial persepective. Politicians of both side of the devide are given equal voice and noted for both positive and negative achievements, similarly with English, Spanish, French, Black and Indian roles in American hsitory (or is it America's role in their histories?). Making the complex simple without making it stupid is the mark of a great summarizer, Axelrod does it extremely well. Buy the book. Enjoy life!
Rating:
Summary: Oh? America didn't always exist?
Review: I thought this book was a wonderful resource for the non-historian. It is a great way to read all about that history you learned in junior high and then immediately deleted to make space in your brain for good dirty hallway jokes. I have felt a real deficiently in my education in the history of my own country, and this book filled in some gaps. Don't get me wrong, it is not an extensive study. It is obviously an overview at best. But if you just want to skim the surface of history (and then move on to The complete Idiot's guide to Understanding Einstein) then this is the book for you.
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