The War on History

The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past

By: Jarrett Stepman

Narrated by: Chris Abell

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

America is hopelessly divided, but more worryingly, the ideas and “mystic chords of memory” that rest at the cornerstone of our civilization and bind the generations are being severed, attacked, and forgotten. The left has set out to shatter these bonds with a war on American history - the fundamental concepts, institutions, and icons that make our country what it is. And we have failed to protect our history, allowing Hollywood, educators, and the media to rewrite the story of America. We have ignored the invaluable lessons of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. If we wish to hold onto their vision of America, we must once again try to understand and defend the world-shaking ideas, actions, and men who made America great.

©2019 Jarrett Stepman (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Culture war, not history

This book accomplishes the opposite of what it sets out to do. It makes admirable people from U.S. history seem smaller than life. For example, the author spends 10 minutes reciting insults that Teddy Roosevelt made to people who call themselves “citizens of the world.” I still admire Teddy Roosevelt, but I preferred to think of him above the antics of petty culture warriors. If the point of the book was that the U.S. was always beset by nonsense culture war, this would have been relevant information. But alas, the author actually thinks insulting “citizens of the world” is an underappreciated aspect of Roosevelt’s legacy.

I was hoping for a scholarly analysis of historical revisionism, along the lines of Allen Guelzo’s critique of the 1619 project. I did enjoy some anecdotes of history figures I admire (Lincoln, Roosevelt, Eisenhower) and figures I revile (Columbus, Robert E. Lee). I’m perfectly happy to acknowledge that despicable figures from history have some positive characteristics: Columbus was a great navigator (but bad geographer) and Lee was a post-war proponent of reconciliation.

But I doubt there will be much new information to the type of person willing to tackle a 7.5 hour history book. This book is principally a diatribe against statue removal; a subject on which I could not be more indifferent. The book doesn’t lay out the arguments of revisionist historians (or even prominent politicians), and then present contradicting evidence. Instead it sets up straw men, supposedly the beliefs of an amorphous “left,” and semi-coherently knocks down these straw men. The book is not for people hoping to contextualize history, but rather a book to frame past events so they speak to the tedious culture wars of today. It’s a book for people interested in “owning the libs” and reinforcing their existing beliefs.

If you came to this book like me, and discovered that whining about culture wars is not what you were looking for, I have a couple alternative recommendations. If you are interested in a creative approach to exploring Christopher Columbus’ genius and barbarism, try “Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus.” This sci-fi alternate history by Orson Scott Card was a fun approach to learn Columbus’ admirable characteristics without whitewashing the past. In case you need a reminder: Columbus ordered all natives (aged 14 or older) to collect a fixed amount of gold every three months. Those who failed to collect enough gold had their hands cut off. In fact, there was virtually no gold around; only a little dust in streams. Those natives who fled from this impossible task were hunted down and killed by the Columbus’ henchmen.

If you want to learn how the United States became the nice place to live that it is today, I suggest “An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power” by John Steele Gordon.

A MUST for anyone trying to understand USA Today

A clear and concise explanation of rebuttals and rebukes for all ages and peoples trying to grasp a firm knowledge of how Cultral Marxism and Todays Left trysts to distort and reimagine the History of the USA.

Fake news

This is pure right-wing propaganda from an individual who, if he were German, would be pissed because the swastika was outlawed. Yet Germanys history is NOT considered rewritten. While praising U.S. Grant for wanting to forget the past, heal, and move on (since that's about forgiving the Confederacy), he criticizes those who favor removing the painful reminders and glorification of America's ugliest past.

MUST READ FOR MILLENIALS!!

Unfortunately, the in-depth history of our nation is not taught in schools any longer. Nor is american exceptionalism. This book will help you to understand the times of our nation's history and the reasons why the decisions were made that are moched and frowned upon in today's times. The old world was brutal. if we don't teach our citizens what was then the new world will become brutal as well.

So relevant to todays Marxists & post modernists

Not a complete history but enough meat to explain why America was and is a good country. Interesting facts about Andrew Jackson, Robert E Lee, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower that I must have missed in my high school and college history classes. Facts that prove that no one is all good or all bad and that our history isn't what the Howard Zinn types want you to believe either. Much of this book is relevant today with antifa tearing down statues of Robert E Lee, and others, who after the civil war wanted the people of the South to become Americans once again and he spoke of unification.

Great Book...Informative...Must read!

Loved the book! should be mandatory reading in schools today! Educational and insightful. pick it up today.

Fantastic Book

I would recommend it to anyone interested in American History. Better yet I think it should be required reading I High School.

Forgotten or erased history

This book fills in a lot of missing facts that are not taught in school anymore. It doesn’t whitewash anyone, but puts things in perspective. The mass of people trying to take down statues all over the country should try reading a little history before taking misguided actions.

Ugh

I tried listening to an intelligent opposing view of history but this book is not it. Nothing but hate and fearmongering.

Informative

A thoughtful and insightful look at our history and the relationship with what is happening with our civil unrest