A Patriot's History of the United States

By: Larry Schweikart, Michael Allen

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 50 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Since the liberal revolution of the '60s and '70s, American history books have been biased toward the negative. They overemphasize America's racism, sexism, and bigotry while downplaying the greatness of her patriots. As a result, more emphasis is placed on Harriet Tubman than on George Washington, more on the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II than on D-day or Iwo Jima, more on the dangers we faced from Joseph McCarthy than those we faced from Josef Stalin.

This book offers a long-overdue acknowledgment of America's true and proud history. The authors reexamine America's discovery, founding, and development with an appreciation for the principles of public virtue, personal liberty, and private property that have made this nation so uniquely successful.

©2004 Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"A welcome, refreshing, and solid contribution to relearning what we have forgotten and remembering why this nation is good, and worth defending." (National Review)
"There are a thousand pleasant surprises and heartening reminders that underneath it all America remains a country of ideas, ideals, and optimism: and no amount of revisionism can take that legacy away." (Humane Studies Review)
"Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen remind us what a few good individuals can do in just a few short centuries....A fluid account of America from the discovery of the continent up to the present day." (Wall Street Journal)

An outstanding summary of American history

This was an amazing audio book. I never thought I would be wishing for more content after a 60+ hour book. I appreciated the candid non-partisan view through most of the book. Although, I think even the narrator was sick of liberalism by the mid 1900's portion of the book, you could hear the disdain in his voice.
This should be required reading for every High School student!

True unabridged history with background and detail

This is a very pleasant book to listen to. It confirms all that I knew but it paints the picture too.

A good start

While I believe this book has good intentions, as a history, it is lacking. People willing to spend this much time with a book would be better served by reading shorter histories that are more period specific. This book touches on many issues but never gives enough detail on any of them to be fully satisfying. Several of the biographies (eg. John Adams) or period histories (eg. What Hath God Wrought) are very interesting and readable and leave you feeling like you have really learned something when they are completed.

very well done

very well written history of the U S A. read it your self, think about it and be amazed.

This made me hungry for more

This is a history book that I did not want to end. This is the most balanced book covering America's history. I was concerned that it would be too glossy and put a positive spin on everything and everyone.

Every high schooler and college student should listen to this book before heading off to school. The narrator has great energy and is the best narrator that I have listened to.

I highly recommend this book for people that are tired of left/right wing spins on history and want the story of their nation.

Thought Prevoking

It is amazing the USA became a nation and survived to its present time considering the ignorance and varied opinions of the general population and government leaders that dealt with events thoughout its history.
This book is laid out and paced well, it does not slog down with too much detail, and presents facinating stories of the events and leaders that directed this country.
All patriots are bound to find this book moving.

A clearly republican view of history

First let me state that I am a died in the wool republican. I think Ronald Regan walked on water and both Bush's got a bum deal. However, this book is too slanted even for me. The book not only totally disregards the liberal perspective (which I generally have no problem with) it's full of historical errors. I'm not a history major and even I caught a couple of glaring errors with some of the events of WWII.
Another problem I have with the book is that it seems to gloss over events that I would have liked to hear more details on. I suppose that has to be the case, given the extreme breadth of time this book is trying to encapsulate.
Overall, it's not awful and it is nice to hear from the other side of the fence for a change, but it's not anything I'll listen to again.

Are there other responses to Zinn’s book?.?.?.

I liked this. And I think it’s important to read,especially if you have read Zinn’s book.

Because this was written in response to Zinn’s book, there are points where I feel the writer is defensive and I think that’s weird. But this is a great book if you like our country and want another perspective on US history.

This makes me want to read Zinn’s book again and other responses to it. Only in this country can we have so many published perspectives. We have the greatest country, even with all of its problems.

the red pill or the blue pill

First of all, I like the narrator. He has been on a few of the last 20 audiobooks I've purchased and I think he does a great job.

I like this book very much. When it comes to American history, I feel that you choose whether you want the anti-american or pro-american history book. I chose this book because I want to hear a pro-American history, but feel it gives a very balanced overview of our country's history. It is a long book, but the content and the narrator made it all more than tolerable... even enjoyable.

These Guys aren’t Paul Johnson...

...the writing is way too academic and bloodless (hey, this is a PATRIOT’S history lets have some passion!) and in candor, although a laudable undertaking, the research seems shallow and the positions variously taken, insipid, rote and almost apologetic. Not what this veteran, amateur historian and flag waving lover of country expected. Finally, bless his heart, the narrator’s high, strident voice almost drove me crazy...not what I wanted to hear for 5 minutes much less 50 hours. Of course, the underlying premise (and story) saves the day: That this great nation was founded, maintained and prospered by People of Character...and by the way, a lot of them had deep religious convictions , selfless motives and capitalistic tendencies...and yes, they were frequently white and male.
Nonetheless, if you want more than just an outline...perhaps some fervor, passion and well substantiated opinion...Paul Johnson.