Product Description

Winner of the American Book Award and the Oliver C. Cox
Anti-Racism Award of The American Sociological Association

Americans have lost touch with their history, and in Lies My Teacher Told Me Professor James Loewen shows why. After surveying eighteen leading high school American history texts, he has concluded that not one does a decent job of making history interesting or memorable. Marred by an embarrassing combination of blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, and outright lies, these books omit almost all the ambiguity, passion, conflict, and drama from our past.

In this revised edition, packed with updated material, Loewen explores how historical myths continue to be perpetuated in today's climate and adds an eye-opening chapter on the lies surrounding 9/11 and the Iraq War. From the truth about Columbus's historic voyages to an honest evaluation of our national leaders, Loewen revives our history, restoring the vitality and relevance it truly possesses.

Thought provoking, nonpartisan, and often shocking, Loewen unveils the real America in this iconoclastic classic beloved by high school teachers, history buffs, and enlightened citizens across the country.

---

Product Details

Publisher	Touchstone
ISBN	0743296281
Features	ISBN13: 9780743296281 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Format	Paperback
Author	James W. Loewen
EAN	9780743296281
Label	Touchstone
Dewey Decimal Number	973
Studio	Touchstone
Number Of Pages	464
Title	Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
Publication Date	2007-10-16
Manufacturer	Touchstone

---

Customer Reviews

Why critical thinking is dangerous

Review by Steven Humphreys, 2010-09-08

I read with great interest many of the posts reviewing this book and they appear to fall into three categories: general praise, qualified praise, and derision of the author's "liberal" bias. With the exception of some of the qualified praise comments, I did not find any criticism of the book that I would call responsible or helpful. If careful analysis of the historical record and a critical examination of standard high school textbooks in light of that record leads inexorably to the charge of a "liberal" bias, perhaps it is time for such liberals to accept the label and wear it proudly. Perhaps they should be made to wear an "L" patch on their clothing so that all will be forewarned of their "leftist leanings" before they speak.

---

Fantastic Book

Review by Sonya, 2010-09-05

One of the best books that I have read, well written and very informative - provides great conversation starters.

---

Good concept but could have been more interesting

Review by Dennis S. Stuempfle, 2010-08-29

This is an interesting concept and an especially good book for someone who likes history. After doing extensive research and reviewing 12 history text books, Loewen sets the record straight about everything from Columbus discovering American to Helen Keller to the First Thanksgiving and who were the real settlers in America. I agree with Loewen's premise that children today view history as boring because the text books leave out the interesting backdrops to give readers mere "sound bites" and that not only is history destroyed but it is dumbed down and boring. Students do not understand causal relationships because of this so the solution should be to write history books that are engaging and exciting. The ONLY negative with this book, in my opinion, is that in doing his research and writing his book, Loewen has corrected the history but his book isn't much less boring. Maybe it's the nature of the beast ie: if you're researching history and trying to prove something is wrong or add more detail, you have to support your position with lots of details and belabor your points. This I think dragged the book down a little. However if you, like myself, like history but would like to know "why they got such and such wrong" or to learn more about Helen Keller than that she was blind and finished college, you'll enjoy this book.

---

Very Interesting Book

Review by dee, 2010-08-25

As with several others here, I was shocked at how little history I knew. I was raised on Columbus "discovering the West Indies", the Indians & Pilgrims at Thanksgiving and that Reconstruction was like "Gone With the Wind" - with carpetbaggers going South to throw money at (mostly ignorant) black men who now lived in nice homes while defeated Confederates were hungry and desperate.

Growing up, I remember Indians protesting on Columbus Day and I'd wonder why they were so upset - I mean, it was hundreds of years ago... get over it.

Now I understand. How can they possibly "celebrate" a man who invaded, stole their land and decimated their people?

While it's true we can't change the past, we can certainly acknowledge it and be honest about it. For example, while it's true Washington and Jefferson fought for America's freedom from the English, they were also slave owners. Jefferson even had children with at least one of his slaves. They were still good and brave men but it's important to teach our children they had strengths AND weaknesses.

I also agree with the author about begin frustrated at what our children are taught in the limited amount of time available. History was exciting - it was full of charismatic people and their actions - knowing the date de Balboa reached the Pacific Ocean is useless (and irrelevant) in the real world.

I've always been interested in history but was bored in school. I learned about what Columbus "discovered" but nothing about what happened to the "Indians" afterward. I was shocked to discover they were enslaved and made to mine for gold and to service the "settlers". (BTW, how do you settle a land when people are already living there?)

I never realized until reading this book that I was learning what was basically history from only the white European point of view.

I see complaints from some reviewers here that the author was a liberal, he was pro-black/pro-Indian, etc. and anti-"white". Loewen's writings do sound liberal compared to what we were taught but "liberal" doesn't mean "liar"; as for being pro-black/Indian, I think he was being pro-truthful. Keep in mind that while he is critical about Nixon, Reagan, Bush I & II, he's certainly also critical about Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton.

Some of our history IS shameful but that's exactly why it shouldn't be hidden from us and future generations - we need to see the results of what happened in our past - otherwise, how will we learn?


ETA: The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because the author went on and on AND ON about how the textbook companies aren't including certain facts because of their own (or school boards, parents, etc.) views.

---

Serious left-wing bias with religious ardor

Review by George RS, 2010-08-23

Okay, the author presents another side of our American heroes. These heroes had their flaws, some of them more generous than others. To the extent we come to know these flaws, it is good.

Obviously, the author ideology is left wing to extreme left wing. Why can't he then criticize fellow Marxists whose philosophy he probably shares - Stalin, Mao and PolPot? In a matter of few years, these left-wing atheists murdered tens of millions of their own citizens. Stalin alone killed 6,000 innocent Polish officers, not to mention the millions that died during forced deportations and collectization - all the while promoting the modern rice religion - Marxism.

So American heroes are somewhat tainted, Communist heroes are even more so. Will Mr. Loewen present the evils of Marxism as experienced by the Russians, Chinese and Cambodians?

A moderate Independent voter....

---