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.
Rating: 
Summary: A Parody of American History
Review: If you want to read a left-wing screed of American history, this book's for you. Yes, you'll "learn" that Ronald Reagan was responsible for the AIDS crisis, and that the economy was tanking by the end of his administration. "The plane, boss; the plane." Really, there are plenty of solid survey books on American history to choose from. The Idiot's Guide, while interesting and entertaining at times, is absurdly biased in its recounting of "history." This book, sad to say, is worthy of its title.
Rating: 
Summary: Quick facts, but precious little information
Review: Like most simple books on history, this one skims over the development of the US up to modern times, also letting you know who said what, when, and why in regards to famous quotes that anyone knows, but can't quite remember where they come from.The two major weaknesses of this book lie in the lack of global perspective and actual insight into events. Global perspective does not mean, in this case, the sort of global perspective many are trying to force on scholars and writers to at least give them the pretense of "broad vision". Rather, what was really needed in this book was the kind of perspective that looks in to the strong ties the revolutionaries had with countries like France even up to the time of the civil war, and also looks at the actions of the United State's neighbors (Canada and Mexico) more closely to see how they affected the development of the country. Although this book would appear to be meant as a refresher for those that studied American History in High School, it seems to have burned away the kind of information that would appear even in a textbook along these lines that keep US history from becoming a closed off, solitary element in terms of development of the Americas and the world. Not only that, but it would have been just plain INTERESTING to see those kinds of facts! Lastly, in terms of information this book is seriously lacking. The difference between facts and information being namely that facts are just that, facts, and information tells us what those facts mean in the bigger picture of things, and what waves did certain events send out. The writting is fairly dry and breezes over too much, giving occasional insight in side columns and then essentially making up the mind of the reader for them at the end of a section with a quick "things to remember" section, which goes back and forth from being simple factoids to outright ideology. This is a good book to keep around as a cheap reference, and may be a good launching point into deeper study, but this is definately not a good one-stop tour of US history unless a person is willing to put things together in one's own head.
Rating: 
Summary: Packed with information, lacking fascination
Review: The line of "Idiot's" books seems to be aimed for the everyday reader. Unfortunately, this volume falls just short of drawing you in. Peppered with little known facts and anecdotes separated from the text by boxes, Axelrod fills this history book with information. Although this is less intimidating than most history tomes, this idiot wasn't able to read her way through, but found it useful for looking up facts in the index.
Rating:
Summary: Bull Shit
Review: This book is completely liberal. Most of hte first half is hard to tell, but it becomes obvious that Axelrod is a liberal sympahtizer who distrots the facts. I agree with the previous reviewer, as the blames Reagan for the Aids crisis. Its just distorted because he did know about it, but more important issues were at hand. Similarly, you'll learn that Reagan increased the national debt four fold. True, yet he also increased the revenue nine fold. Example: You make $100, and you pay $25. If Reagan increased the debt by 4, then that means he would lost $100. But he also increased revenue nine fold=$900. Now, 900-100=$800. Now instead of profiting $75, you profit $800. Better rite? Not according to that crazy liberal Axelrod. A lot of this book is distortion, and i cannot suggest that you read it. He even goes as to say that the Economy benefitted because of Clinton, but we all know that Clinton inherited a rising economy under Bush 41. Likewise, Nim Rod states that Reagan took the economy down, but he really inherited a slowing economy from Carter. If you do read this book, you MUST be careful, as it is easy to fall into the traps of liberals, or conservatives for that matter. Im objective, don't worry. Also, he rants about how Bush stole the election.....the stiffy just won't let go. At the end of reading this book, I really understood why so many people hate conservatives..because of the bias in books and in the media. Yes, it exists. Anyways, in order to get the real facts, go for Larry Elder's Showdown, and The Ten THings You Can't Say in America.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Insight into American History
Review: This book is great for anyone who wants to refresh their US History knowledge. Although we should have learned all this information in grade school, I am sure that we have all forgotten almost everything. This book illustrates everything clearly and is fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight into American History
Review: This book is great for anyone who wants to refresh their US History knowledge. Although we should have learned all this information in grade school, I am sure that we have all forgotten almost everything. This book illustrates everything clearly and is fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: A good introductory lesson.
Review: Until I read this book, I had always felt that I missed quite a bit of history during school. It has filled in those gaps as far as I'm concerned. It's a book that I'll definately read again, and recommend to anyone, especially those who felt they missed some history in class.
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