Advanced Placement United States History Summer Assignment

There is no required summer assignment for APUSH this year. However, here is a list of suggested readings based on topics we will cover as the year progresses. Listed are some of my personal favorites, so feel free to choose from this list or from your own selection at home! Just keep reading, as reading and writing are the primary skills needed for success in this course.

Book Title Author Other Information This is the primary review guide we will use United States History: Preparing for John J. Newman throughout the year. It will be available as a the AP Examination (AMSCO) John M. Schmalbach chapter-by-chapter PDF on my Google classroom site, but also may be purchased. A People’s History of the United Survey history of the U.S. from the liberal Howard Zinn States perspective. A Patriot’s History of the United Larry Schweikart and Survey history of the U.S. from the States Michael Allen conservative perspective. Survey history of the U.S. from a more A History of the American People Paul Johnson moderate, albeit right-leaning, perspective. Professor Diamond postulates reasons why Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond European culture dominated the world. What did the Americas look like prior to 1491: New Revelations of the Charles C. Mann Columbus’ arrival? The answer will surprise Americas Before Columbus you! Powerful chronicle of Woodward and Bob Woodward and All the President’s Men Bernstein’s uncovering of the Watergate Carl Bernstein scandal. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius Amazing book about the presidency of Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin of Abraham Lincoln that was made into a movie. Decidedly most important novel prior to Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe America’s Civil War. The story of America’s first serial killer told as Devil in the White City Erik Larson the World’s Fair unfolds in the background. Lincoln David Herbert Donald Best biography of our 16th President. Part II of the series; examines the T.R. Theodore Rex Edmund Morris presidency. Wow. Just wow! Amazing work detailing what Founding Brothers Joseph J. Ellis happened to the founding generation AFTER the textbook stories end! Critical analysis of the year the colonies 1776 David McCullough separated from England. Now an HBO miniseries! Epic tale of Adams’ John Adams David McCullough life. Former Secretary of Defense McNamara tells In Retrospect Robert McNamara all about the debacle in Vietnam. JFK’s monumental work detailing the lives and Profiles in Courage John F. Kennedy contributions of his historical heroes. The story of Lewis and Clark as never told Undaunted Courage Stephen Ambrose before. Now a major musical! Fascinating look at the Alexander Hamilton Ron Chernow man on the $10 bill. McPherson is THE source of all things Civil Battle Cry of Freedom James McPherson War. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Exceptional primary source of Douglass’ Frederick Douglass Douglass experiences. Catherine Drinker Miracle at Philadelphia How the Constitution almost didn’t happen. Bowen Explore the myths, fables, and outright lies Lies My Teacher Told Me James W. Loewen present in many social studies textbooks! From Jim Crow to Civil Rights: The Detailed history of the Civil Rights movement Supreme Court and the Struggle for Michael J. Klarman through the courts in the United States. Equality The Grand Design: Strategy and the For military buffs; details the strategy employed Donald Stoker U.S. Civil War by Lincoln and his commanders. Colonel Roosevelt Edmund Morris Part III of the series; life after being President. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt Edmund Morris Part I of the series; T.R.’s early years. “The lack of a sense of history is the damnation All the King’s Men Robert Penn Warren of the modern world.” The month that saw the death of the president April 1865 Jay Winik also saved America. Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and James McPherson Fantastic survey history of the U.S. Civil War. Reconstruction