Product Description
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., first revealed the sequences that governed American politics over the past two centuries in The Cycles of American History. In this updated edition, the prominent political historian continues to reflect on the "recurring struggle between pragmatism and idealism in the American soul" (Time). Faced with a new century, a new millennium, and social and technological revolutions, Schlesinger confronts the possibility of a revolution in American political cycles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Incredibly Prescient, Fascinating in 2009
Written in the midst of the Reagan Administration, with an updated Foreword about 10 years ago, this book is a great read in 2009 because Schlesinger was right on the money (taking 9/11 into account which he couldn't have foreseen...) about when the swing in the American polity would take place from right to, well, I really can't call it left, at least not yet, so let's say from right to center.

Schlesinger dissects patterns of political shift right to center or center left throughout American History that follows a generational pattern.Schelesinger relates the shifts as more of the original argument between Federalists and State's Righters - which is the only "pattern" that seems to have gone off on a tangent in recent years, as the right has become more internationalist/interventionist. It remains to be seen whether the Democrats take us into isolationism or just a more moderate internationalism than that of the right.(If the Democrats take us to isolationism, then that would complete a reshuffling of party stands on a major issue, one that would present historical problems that Schlesinger did not foresee).

But for the most part, this detailed, thoroughly researched study is not only a very intereting piece of historical analysis, but entertaining as well simply because we have the luxury to look back 30 years now and see how amazing close Schlesinger was!

Well worth your time!

Refreshing Historical Analysis
This novel is yet another classic by Schlesinger.I enjoyed it emmensly for a variety of reasons.First, Schlesinger makes his novel appeling to both the avid history fan, student of history, and teacher of history, thus allowing everyone to understand his work.Furthermore, Schlesinger explains his work in using his every present political shrewdness aswell as dry wit.This is a refreshing change from the dry unending style of many historians.The major points explained in this work are the cycling of American politics and its effects on the past, present, and future.This gives it an even more universal quality which even students of politics can appreciate. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

The American Promise
The book for the most part was in pretty good shape. I do not know however if it was the old user's fault or UPS but the front cover's corner was kind of bent and there are scratches on the cover. Otherwise the actual text is in great condition.

Good Read
Purchased for course in college. Easy to read and interesting. Great to read even if not taking a course where it is needed.

The American Promise
I was very pleased when I recieved this book.This was my first time ordering online and I didn't think it would be in very good condition, but it was better than I expected.

Perfect
It was in better condition than I had expected!Shipped quickly.Will be looking for books again next semester ... I know where to go!
Thanks

as far a textbooks go.....
...this isn't too bad. Check out the Audio Review from the publishers website that you can purchase to go along with it! very helpful! ... Read more

Product Description
"Determinedly and liberatingly inclusive...satisfying and beautifully produced."—Publishers WeeklyThis enlarged vision of American art draws together the many strands of North America's history and visual culture. A tradition once assumed to be mainly European and oriented toward painting and sculpture has been enriched by the inclusion of other media such as ceramics and needlework, as well as the work of previously marginalized groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans.

For the second edition, the author has updated and expanded the text, and has significantly increased the coverage of architecture.
685 illustrations, 348 in color ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book on American Art
This book is extremely well written, well rounded, and well researched.A great book for a art history student or someone who is just curious because it examines the subject matter from several points of view - not just the standard white male version of history.Folks that are normally breezed by in other texts are discussed here in length - finally!I loved reading this book and gaining insights into the history of what makes American Art unique in it's vision. I am a college art teacher and will be recommending this book for my next semester. Thank you to Frances Pohl!

Superb!
Wow!Another incredible book published by Thames and Hudson!I love their art compendiums.Here, the author gives us a Canadian viewpoint on US history that is erudite and fascinating.Huge detailed book yet quite refreshing to read.I'm using it in a History of American Art from a Multicultural Perspective class. Lots of history and beautifully detailed artworks, including timelines.The printing is superb (Singapore).I highly recommend it!Great reading and a wonderful addition to your home library.

Good overview
This is a great book for a survey course in American art or for someone who wants to get into American art and just wants a general overview. The text is written in a very approachable manner, and the images that are included are of excellent quality and represent some good instances of characteristically American works. I used this book for an art history course in American art that was of a very limited time period, but the book is essentially written to cover everything in American art fairly broadly, from colonial times to the late twentieth century. A good read, and a good deal. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (27)

Some great history, but a wee bit dry
Dolan is a professor of history at Notre Dame; a University famous for its Irish influence. The book is jam packed with historical narrative and fact. I learned a lot about the history of my own ancestors (like most Americans, I'm part Irish, and not just on St. Paddy's day) from reading this book. I can't fault him on any facts I know about, and I came away feeling more intelligent for having read the thing.

The problem I had with the book (why I docked it a star) is ... it's dry. I say that as a man who finds Gibbon's Decline and Fall or John Julius Norwich's books about the Venetians and Byzantines to be stimulating reading. Somehow the interesting historical personages didn't come to life like I expect from a lively history on a lively subject. Knowing an Irish American man was politically and economically influential in American history doesn't really tell me much about ... the man himself. I want to know about his character, amusing anecdotes about his life, what his attitudes were, and how he lived his life, rather than a mere recitation of his accomplishments and place in society. I am sure these fellows were all great "characters," as that's part of the Irish national character. Unfortunately, all these great Irishmen come off as less interesting than tales of my Uncle Burt, who was a gas station attendant.

As such, it took me a while to get through it. Perhaps this is meant to be a sort of magnum opus of dry objective history, rather than a piece of popular writing designed to amuse and inform. In this case, perhaps it deserves the extra star. But I didn't select this book for dry history, and was hoping to be more entertained.

Great companion book for family history!
Where this engaging and well written history really took off for me was the nineteenth century. As a little girl, I liked nothing better than climbing on to my grandmother's lap and listening to her tell stories of her childhood in the "olden days."She was born in Manhattan in 1882, the fifth child of Irish immigrants. She toldcolorful stories about growing up in Hell's Kitchen, discrimination, politics, wakes and weddings.Her stories were edited for a child's ears but later other family members fleshed out those stories with more, and sometimes painful, details.This book provides the historic perspective for those stories.I found it very compelling to read about places and people that were familiar to me since the cradle.

The chapters on the twentieth century provided the big picture regarding significant figures and events in my parents' lives and my own.You don't know where you're going unless you know where you've been.

"The Irish Americans" is an ideal companion for people who want a better understanding of what their ancestors experienced here.It would also make a terrific gift for someone working on a genealogy because it provides a bit more information about what events shaped the lives of the people they are researching.

I found this book completely absorbing and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the history of the Irish and their children in America.

Grand
Jay Dolan is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Notre Dame. His latest book The Irish Americans: A History presents a comprehensive, factual and engaging story of the 250 or so years of immigration from Ireland to America, and the impact of the Irish on America. There's tragedy and complexity in this story that Dolan displays with great dexterity: never making things seem more complicated that they are, and never minimizing the struggles and difficulties that have been a hallmark of this experience. Any reader who is Irish or Catholic or both will especially appreciate The Irish Americans. I thought I knew a lot about this history, but learned much after reading Dolan's account. What I already knew came to life through Dolan's engaging writing.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)

Very interesting
This book focuses on the history of the Irish in American from the seventeen hundreds through to the present time.The author is a professor at Notre Dame and teaches immigration and ethnic history.

This is a wonderful book, full of detail, that tells the stories of Irish immigrants and the history of their life if America.

It's a very detailed, complete and interesting narrative and recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the Irish experience in America.

The Irish Americans: A History
Are you Irish?Are you Catholic?If the answers to either (of both) of these questions is "yes" you should read this both.If no, but you've ever met an Irishman, you should read this book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

American Promise
I am happy with my purchase. The book was in excellent condition when I received it. Low price even made it better for my purchase. Thank you very much.

Not bad.
Not too bad I like history and this was a good textbook and a much better price than the book store.

Non-receipt of order and no communication from Amazon.com indicating a shipping delay...
I cancelled this order because Amazon.com lead me to believe I would have my items in time for my son to attend college classes. They never sent any update advising of a delay and when I questioned them about non-receipt of any shipping confirmation, they gave me a lame excuse that my shipping date was only an estimate. Still doesn't excuse amazon.com for not continuously notifying me of shipping status. Needless to say, my son is attending his college courses without the books needed. Thanks for nothing amazon.com.

Excellent Service
The book was in excellent shape and the speed with which I received my purchase was exceptional. ... Read more

Product Description
American Art set the standard for American art survey courses for the last decade by providing a thorough and engaging chronology of American art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, photography, folk art, and graphic arts. Wayne Craven presents art and artists within the context of their times, including insights into the intellectual, spiritual, and political environment. Along the way, Craven charts the growth of a distinctly American art culture. The resulting book is as much a history of American culture as of American art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good Textbook
This textbook is well written and direct. Craven is straightforward in his approach to american art history.He is comprehsensive in his coverage of artists, movements, and issues - and the plates are of a nice quality.All in all a value for the money.

I did not get the book I bought yet
I bought this book a month ago and I did not get it. If I do not get the money back from Amazn or the store that sold it to me, I am not going to buy anything else from Amazon anymore because I paid more than 40$ and I am still waiting. This is rididculous because I need this book for my class.

American Art History and Culture
This is and comprehensive excellent reference book on all aspects of American Art which would be a must for anyone who is serious about the subject.I would not recommend buying a used version--only a new one.

Excellent Book
This was a very nice book to use for one of my College classes.They didn't however sell it in the bookstore at campus.Getting it online was great and the book had everything I needed.

Black and White Pages Dissapoint
I'm an Art History major and this is a required text for my American Art and Architecture course. This book is a great supplement to lectures, but the black and white images are very dissapointing. When color is so key to artwork, I am baffled as to why so many pages lack this important element. I can understand perhaps the architecture pages being in black and white, but this is unacceptable for paintings, especially when it is so difficult for a student to find these rare works elsewhere.

I strongly recommend that if you are an instructor you seek a more visually appealing text. ... Read more

Product Description

This unique collection of essays and documents brings to life the major topics in American western and frontier history from the sixteenth to the twentieth century.

Customer Reviews (2)

major problems in the history of the american west
if you are looking for detail tying President T Jefferson, the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark expedition and many versions of the American Indian, this book is for you

Good for student and lay reader
Bought this book for a grad level class I am taking. Very easy to read.Preface in each chapter to historical documents and separate preface to modern writings.Gives a look at both sides of the story; not just the party line. Would recommend to both student and lay reader alike. ... Read more