A Renegade History of the United States

By: Thaddeus Russell

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Historian Howard Zinn demonstrated that there are compelling, alternative histories that are both scholarly and valuable. Now, Thaddeus Russell provides a challenging new way of reading history that will turn convention on its head and is sure to elicit as much controversy as it does support.

Russell shows that drunkards, laggards, prostitutes, and pirates were the real heroes of the American Revolution. Slaves worked less and had more fun than free men. Prostitutes, not feminists, won women's liberation. White people lost their rhythm when they became good Americans. Without organized crime, we might not have Hollywood, Las Vegas, labor unions, legal alcohol, birth control, or gay rights. Zoot-suiters and rock-and-rollers, not Ronald Reagan or the peace movement, brought down the Soviet Union. And Britney Spears will win the war on terror.

It was not the elitists who created real revolution in America nor the political radicals whom Zinn credits, but the people on the fringes of society who laid the foundation for change and were responsible for many of the freedoms we cherish today. American history was driven by clashes between those interested in preserving social order and those more interested in pursuing their own desires---the "respectable" versus the "degenerate", the moral versus the immoral, "good citizens" versus the "bad". The more that "bad" people existed, resisted, and won, the greater was our common good.

In A Renegade History of the United States, Russell introduces us to the origins of our nation's identity as we have never known them before.

©2010 Thaddeus Russel (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is a fun read that makes a serious point. Even drunkards, whores, black pleasure-seekers, gangsters, and drag queens have contributed to American culture, and sometimes in surprising ways." (W. J. Rorabaugh, professor of history, University of Washington, and author of The Alcoholic Republic)

Makes you wonder about a lot of things in history

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book; there were times that I questioned it's validity. Not to say that there are fabrications intertwined within the pages. More or less saying that what history I was indoctrinated with throughout my years in school might have (must have) turned a blind eye to some real key points to the figures and eras I learned of. All in all, a solid book packed with tons of information.

Loved it.

This book represents a side of American culture that needs to be seen; the "fuck off and mind your business" side. Thad is doing great work.

I liked it

I had to read this for my English class but to my surprise I actually enjoyed it. I love learning about history and Thaddeus Russell really gets you thinking even if you don't agree with everything he says. I think this book is a great read!!!

The history they didn’t teach you in school

Thaddeus Russell, along with Brion McClanahan and Tom Woods, are the historians that will blow the boring, conventional, Establishment-approved version of history out your butt.

groundbreaking

this book has so many things that you're not supposed to know about American history that I would deem it a must-read for all people interested in American history

A Lesson in Humility and Humanity

I wasn't sure what to expect - but I can say that listening to this history that foregrounds the contributions of trouble makers has made me think differently about my interpersonal relationships and the ways that I try to make sense of peoples' practices and behaviors.

A must read!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Renegade History of the United States to be better than the print version?

Yes, the characters come alive when heard audibly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Renegade History of the Untied States - Our History as Told by Outcasts of Society

Any additional comments?

Great book and provides a unique perceptive on our history

Very important information

This is one of those history perspectives that are often omitted because it's inconvenient to our beloved narratives about how American history is told in general. America is a culture of mythologised history that is now larger than life and basically worthless as a learning opportunity. This is one of those rare books that rip back the curtain of mythology and show a neglected perspective that should of never been neglected in the first place. If history is not given from the good, the bad, and the ugly then it's not history at all its just storytelling. My only complaint is the reader is odly placed with this content I'm not sure what it is about him but it's not a great fit. He's just OK.

Great book. Mediocre-good reader.

Paul Boehmer is a bit awkward at times; with pauses that don't belong scattered throughout and tones that don't always seem to match the material. That being said, he certainly has a way with accents, and he gives life to the quotes within this book.

The book itself is an awesome take of how the values of America were shaped by its less savvy citizens despite the best efforts of our forefathers to repress our baser desires and instill puritan values into our everyday lives. It can be a bit dry at times, but overall, it is an awesome take on the true heroes of US history that will beckon you ever towards further discovery of your renegade ancestors(assuming you're from the US, of course).

Lots of examples but no real achievement of change

Other than reducing the concern by the public of breaking social norms, there is no real causal affect for change.