Reconstructing America

A History of US, Book 7

By: Joy Hakim

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Covering a time of great hope and incredible change, Reconstructing America is a dramatic look at life after the Civil War in the newly re-United States. Railroad tycoons were roaring across the country. New cities sprang up across the plains, and a new and different American West came into being: a land of farmers, ranchers, miners, and city dwellers. Back East, large-scale immigration was also going on, but not all Americans wanted newcomers in the country. Technology moved forward: Thomas Edison lit up the world with his electric light. And social justice was on everyone's mind with Carry Nation wielding a hatchet in her battle against drunkenness and Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois counseling newly freed African Americans to behave in very different ways. Through it all, the reunited nation struggles to keep the promises of freedom in this exciting chapter in A History of US.

A History of US is a 10-volume, award-winning series about the birth and development of the United States. Master storyteller and lifelong student of American history Joy Hakim takes readers from 9 to 99 on a breathtaking journey, from the Ice Age to the 21st century.

©1993, 1999, 2003 Joy Hakim (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Reconstructing America: A History Of US, book 7

Joy Hakim makes history come to life. In this volume, Joy steps outside the boundaries of what would normally be read in a stock history book about reconstruction and discusses PEOPLE. People in the forms of women, african americans, and many others who stood up to a societal time which was largely against them. The book is packed with TOUCHING primary and secondary documents that connect the reader/listener to the people or events. Joy often uses the "Socratic Method" of questioning, allowing the reader/listener to think for him/herself.

My only negative comment is that Joy sometimes places too much emphasis on the accomplishments of women during this period of American History (it sometimes gets a bit long-winded). My opinion in this matter, however, could be the product of the educational system I was brought up in with the emphasis on dates and the accomplishments of men.

This being said, Joy Hakim has thus far become one of my favorite writers of American History. I'm a teacher. I've read lots of great stuff and lots of crap. Joy is truly a great writer because you can feel her passion for American History through her writing...... great book, Joy. Sooooo much more than words. Your book is more like a historical conversation between yourself and the reader/listener. You have made history COME TO LIFE.

Reconstruction and post-Civil War history

This covers a difficult and interesting time in American history. It starts with Reconstruction which is tough to hear about. It moves around to different topics, some of which are less painful.

Although I am learning a lot from this, it is geared toward middle school readers. The only jarring aspect of this I find is the author’s tendency to editorialize. I’m not sure that the value judgments are needed or appropriate. Although I generally share the author’s politics, it might not be for someone not looking for a left-leaning historical summary.

My son continues to love this series, and at 12 he is in the target audience range. He actually requests to listen to this over fiction, which is unusual for him.

Wonderful story telling!

A history of us series is written so wonderfully that readers are enticed to continue with each book. And all the books are written with wonderful inside and the storytelling is spot on.

Well Read and Enjoyable

I've enjoyed listening to all of these history books. I used them to study to test out of college level US History, and succeeded, though some things in the test were not in the books. Definitely recommend them.

Not for the advanced reader

This series is descrbed as being for people 9 to 99, but I think it hits about high school age, or someone for whom English is a second language, or someone with absolutely no background in American history. Actually it might be very good for people studying for American citizenship. But for the serious or even mildly knowledgable, the book is is skimpy, oversimplified and not satisfying.

Really Bad

Your high school textbook except worse. Politically correct, basic, weakly written. This book takes complicated political issues and reduces juvenile black and white. Lincoln and the North wonderful and Johnson and the South - evil. I am very sorry I made the mistake of buying this. Zero stars.