Lies My Teacher Told Me

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

by James W. Loewen











I found the first 10 chapters of this book absolutely riveting, and I am one of those kids who hated history. American history has traditionally been taught in a bland, rose-colored manner, and now I know why. I also learned many of the facts of American history that have been left unsaid, things that might be unpleasant or controversial, but things which make history real. I always knew the happy shiny version of what was taught me was B.S. and to find out what was actively hidden was interesting and engaging. In the last two chapters the author delves more specifically into his thesis of why American history is taught the way it is, and what can be done about it, although as someone who is neither a teacher nor a parent, I got a little bored because there was really nothing for ME to do but note that someday in the distant future when I have school-aged kids I should remember this.