America's Hidden History

Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation

By: Kenneth C. C. Davis

Narrated by: Sam Freed, Kenneth C. Davis

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Kenneth C. Davis presents a collection of extraordinary stories, each detailing an overlooked episode that shaped the nation's destiny and character. Davis' dramatic narratives set the record straight, busting myths and bringing to light little-known but fascinating facts from a time when the nation's fate hung in the balance.

Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington's inauguration in 1789, America's Hidden History explores these episodes, among others:

The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists

The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs, which may have spread disease to many Native Americans

The long, bloody relationship between the Puritans and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast

The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!

Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, America's Hidden History proves why Davis is truly America's teacher.

©2008 Kenneth C. Davis (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Boring, boring, boring

I love history, and this book was a big disappointment: dry, unoriginal, nearly unbearable. I couldn't finish it. There could be compelling human stories and social history buried here, sometimes hinted at but then not pursued. The author is neither a good researcher nor a good story teller, and the whole effort is disjointed. If you have read 1491 and Guns, Germs, and Steel or any number of books about the early history of the New World, this is not the book for you!

More of History, little of Herstory

Would you try another book from Kenneth C. Davis and/or Sam Freed and Kenneth C. Davis ?

Doubtfully, as the title was deceptive, most of the stories centered around men, with little mention of the women as implied by the title. Very few new revelations to anyone who has read much history.

Any additional comments?

The book was an interesting listen, and would be fine for the general historical novice. It is not near as revealing as the prologue suggests. I expected more about Women in the book, but it really was narrow in its focus, and primarily only discussed Anne Hutchinson. Who albeit worthy of discussion, is only one of many women who shaped American history.

Slow and jumpy, time wise

Started off interesting, but by an hour into it we were getting lost as the time frame kept jumping back and forth across the centuries. In this case, a hard copy is needed as frequent referrals were the order of the day to keep the characters straight. Well-researched, honest, shocking at times (we were never told what a military failure G. Washington was).

Read a hard copy, in sections, and you should love it and learn a lot.

very brief

very short for the topic. there are far more details and key leaders that should have been covered

Great Read

Truly a great account of history that actually makes learning exciting. I will definitely recommend this book.

Interesting listen

As a 5th grade teacher, this book basically covers my social studies curriculum. I was not a history major in college and therefore learn more information as I have time. I learned many additional facts and stories that showed the complexities of the time period. I personally could have been happy to skip some of the atrocities that human’s committed during the time period, but it is an accurate account. I would recommend this listen.

a good read

the book provided some real clarity about the exploration of the new world and the competing forces clamoring for it control.

Broader view

I liked the broader look at the events that lead to the Revolutionary War and found of the United States of America. Including the misrepresentation that the war was just about taxes. When in fact, King George's proclamation stopping expansion into the territories to the west was equally if not a more direct cause of unrest in the colonies.

Dry like toast.

Really unfortunate. Great content but I was sleeping 3 minutes in and within 3 minutes every time I tried to listen.

Overwritten

Sorry. But if one word will do this book has 3-20, way overwritten. Couldn’t get past the first few chapters