A History of the American People, Paul Johnson
A History of the American People, Paul Johnson
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A History of the American People

Author: Paul Johnson

Narrator: Wanda McCaddon

Unabridged: 43 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download (DRM Protected)

Published: 03/30/2009

Synopsis

Johnson’s monumental history of the United States, from the first settlers to the Clinton administration, covers every aspect of American culture: politics, business, art, literature, science, society and customs, complex traditions, and religious beliefs. The story is told in terms of the men and women who shaped and led the nation and the ordinary people who collectively created its unique character. Anne Hutchinson, Cotton Mather, Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, among others, are all presented with a fresh perspective. Wherever possible, letters, diaries, and recorded conversations are used to ensure a sense of actuality.This is an in-depth portrait of a great people, from their fragile origins and struggles for independence, to their heroic efforts and sacrifices to deal with the “organic sin” of slavery and the preservation of the Union, to their explosive economic growth and emergence as the world’s greatest superpower.

About Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. He regularly writes book reviews for several UK magazines and newspapers, such as the Literary Review and the Spectator, and he lectures around the world. He lives in London.

About Wanda McCaddon

Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Phil on January 22, 2008

This book is an excellent general history of the US, one which accents the cultural development of this nation. It is an antidote to the puerile trash "People's History"(Howard Zinn), a book unfortunately used as a textbook in some school districts. Now that it seems that America's journey toward fr......more

Goodreads review by Pete on March 02, 2008

This book is proof that modern conservatives never have to actually justify their opinions to publish. A movement primer, the book shakes loose the bonds of fact and consistency to produce a narrative Kissinger describes on the book jacket as "majestic in its scope". Most of Paul Johnson's opus is gr......more

Goodreads review by Julie on December 03, 2018

This was a long haul as I just picked it up now and then. And I will be honest I didn't finish it all because I didn't care about the more modern history. Been there, done that ... the advantage of having a substantial number of years under my belt. What fascinated me, and kept me coming back, was Pa......more

Goodreads review by Gordon on July 02, 2010

I read this book as a recommended "antidote" to A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn. It is certainly a very different book, and is better in many ways, but, like Zinn's book, it ultimately it is an interesting failure. First the good points - Johnson is an excellent writer, and th......more

Goodreads review by Eric on June 02, 2008

British historian Paul Johnson makes clear in the preface to A History of the American People his motivation for writing this book: “This work is a labor of love.” Indeed, this love for America shines through the massive tome, and ought to put native-born Americans to shame. Johnson presents a well-......more

Quotes

“Arresting contentions and pieces of fascinating oddball information.” New York Times Book Review

“A fresh, readable and provocative survey. He is full of opinions...and Johnson can be very wise.” Los Angeles Times

“A magnificent achievement...brilliantly combines broad sweep with extraordinary detail.” Wall Street Journal

“This is vivid and memorable writing...Proves that history can still be literature.” National Review

“Paul Johnson’s The History of the American People is as majestic in its scope as the country it celebrates...It is a compelling antidote to those who regard the future with pessimism.” Henry A. Kissinger

“[May’s] reading is lively, crisp, and sharp throughout. Johnson is a lively writer (more so than nearly all other historians), and May’s reading is sensitive to Johnson’s wit and sharp comments.” AudioFile

“Expectations for a memorable, pleasurable, and instructive reading experience…are magnificently met. No dull pages occupy the space between the Puritans’ ‘City upon a Hill’ and superpower America…A work one can't begin to disagree with even partially without reading it wholly, which legions will eagerly do.” Booklist

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