My Favorite 5 History Books

If you're like me you look to the lessons that historyschool. It gives history from the point of view of the
teaches us. The problem with history is that dependinglosers. In his first chapter Mr.
on what side of history you're on will affect your pointZinn explores the discovery of America from the
of view. An example of this would be the conqueringpoint of view of the Arawak
of the west in the United States of America. YourIndians. Andrew Jackson is seen through the eyes of
point of view will be drastically different if you're athe Cherokees, WWI is seen
descendent of an American Indian as opposed to athrough the eyes of the socialist, WWII through the
descendant of he settlers.To that end I have compiledeyes of the pacifists and so on. I
a list of 5 books that I feel worthy of passing on tonever really contemplated the other side. It's worth a
you!read; especially important in
This list is presented in random order; so please don'tthese days to understand the other side.5. Profiles in
read anything into the orderCourage, By John F. KennedyI am currently reading
that I have listed them.1. A Natural History of thethis book for the first time and even though I have
Senses, By Diane AckermanThis book is a mix of agotten
great national geographic article and the historythrough just the first 50 pages; I whole-heartedly
channel.recommend this book. Kennedy
Read this and you'll know why and how the noseprofiles courageous politicians starting with President
works. You'll understand theJohn Quincy Adams. It's
intricacies of evolution and have a greaterincredible to read the problems Adams faced; his
appreciation for your own naturalpolitical problems of 225 years
abilities. A distinct must read.2. Ain't Nobody's Businessago are as fresh and pertinent today as they were in
If You Do; the absurdity of consensual crimes in ourhis day. What I take away from
freethe first 50 pages of this book is that it is our duty to
country, By Peter McWilliamsThis 692 page book willkeep our politicians honest.
leave you hungry for more pages to read. Mr.Accountability for our politicians is something that we
McWilliamssadly lack the zeal for in this
passed away in 2000; fortunately for us he left hisinformation age.H.I.S.S. Home Inventory Service
wisdom with us. The book isn'tSpecialists is headed up by Richard Berroa; a
as daunting as a 700-page book would seem to be;producer whose background is in live T.V. production
especially since every otherand documentaries. At HBO,
page is adorned with a quote from a famous figure.NBC and PBS; Rich was responsible for gathering all
At the heart of the book is athe information for the shoot
message that we are all adults and we know better(the who, what, when, where) and putting them to
than our government (rememberinsure a successful production
the prohibition). This book follows the history of(the How). That skill set is now put to work for your
consensual crimes (victimlessown H.I.S.S. catalog; which is a
crimes or vices) in the US. He presents clearmini production itself. The same commitment, attention
arguments for the elimination of theto details and meticulous
crimes; read it really is worth it even if you just by itorganization will now work for you. We are a
for the quotes.3. Open Veins of Latin America, Bycompany set up to serve an under
Eduardo GaleanoThis book changed the way I viewserved need; the fact is that all insurance companies
the world. Any time a book makes you feeltell their clients to make an
passion and emotion you know you are reading ainventory but they do not provide this service to their
classic. This book traces thecustomers. WHY? Maybe it is
development of Latin America side by side with thebecause it's simply is not in their (the insurance
US. Warning reading this bookcompany's) best interest.
will raise your blood pressure! Not for the faint ofEmpowering you the customer is our priority. We are
heart.4. A People's History of the United States; 1492 -insured; currently we service
Present, By Howard ZinnA People's History does thatthe entire east coast but we are willing to travel
rare thing that I really never received will I was inbeyond on a per case basis.