Books on U.S. History

Explore national history with this collection of study guides for fiction and non-fiction texts covering events, key figures, and viewpoints that have shaped the United States over the centuries. A sampling of topics within this collection includes the Puritans, Indigenous peoples, the successes and failures of the country's founders, U.S. presidents, war, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and more.

Toliver's Secret

by Esther Wood Brady

Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Family, War

Tags Children`s Literature, Education, Education, US History, World History, Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Action & Adventure

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Triangle

by David Von Drehle

Publication year 2003

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Grief, Gender Identity, Social Class, Economics, Immigration, Politics & Government, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Crime & Law

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Truman

by David McCullough

Publication year 1992

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Justice, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, War, Nation, Perseverance

Tags Politics & Government, US History, World War II, Crime & Law, World History, Biography

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Undaunted Courage

by Stephen E. Ambrose

Publication year 1996

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Mental Health, Race, Environment, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags US History, American Literature, Travel Literature, Action & Adventure

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West is a landmark work of historical nonfiction by historian and author Stephen E. Ambrose, first published in 1996. A leading scholar of American military and political history, Ambrose was the author of numerous acclaimed books, including Band of Brothers and D-Day: June 6, 1944. In Undaunted Courage, Ambrose turns his attention to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, presenting it as both a... Read Undaunted Courage Summary

Undefeated

by Steve Sheinkin

Publication year 2017

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Colonialism

Tags US History, Sports, Diversity, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, World History, Biography

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Under the Banner of Heaven

by Jon Krakauer

Publication year 2003

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality

Tags Crime & Law, Religion & Spirituality, US History, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Journalism, World History, Biography

In 2003, Jon Krakauer, nonfiction author and journalist, published Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith. Now the inspiration for a television series of the same title on Hulu, the story sent shockwaves as it explored religious extremism on American soil that closely resembled the Taliban-style extremism that had captured the country’s attention following the September 11 attacks. This guide refers to the 2004 paperback edition published by First Anchor Books.Content warning:... Read Under the Banner of Heaven Summary

Up From Slavery

by Booker T. Washington

Publication year 1901

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Race, Community, Education, Justice

Tags US History, Race & Racism, Education, African American Literature, Reconstruction Era, World History, Classic Fiction, Biography

Up From Slavery is an autobiography written by Booker T. Washington in 1901. Washington is most famous as the founder and first principal of the Tuskegee Institute, later Tuskegee University, a school for Black students in rural Tuskegee, Alabama. As the school became famous world-wide, Washington also became known as a public speaker, addressing diverse audiences around the world to promote his philosophy of industrial education. Historically, Washington is remembered as the first major Black... Read Up From Slavery Summary

V.

by Thomas Pynchon

Publication year 1963

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Order & Chaos, Apathy, Loneliness, Memory, Nostalgia, Disability, The Past, Future, Appearance & Reality, Objects & Materials, Fathers, Colonialism, War, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags American Literature, Historical Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Satirical Literature, Addiction & Substance Abuse, European History, US History, Military & War, Crime & Law, Postmodernism, Post-War Era

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