She shows you all the ironies and contradictions in American history.įor example, Lepore tells you about Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. While many good history books provide perspectives beyond those of the traditional “great men” of history, Lepore’s book makes diverse points of view central to the narrative. Lepore comments in her conclusion that simplistic, feel-good accounts of our past undermine and belittle “the American experiment, making it … a daffy, reassuring bedtime story.” These Truths is just the opposite. In keeping with its title, it’s the most honest account of the American story I’ve ever read, and one of the most beautifully written. The book covers centuries of history in its 800 pages, so Lepore can offer only quick glimpses at major events such as America’s first presidential impeachment (only three sentences) and doesn’t even get a chance to mention pivotal figures such as Lewis and Clark.īut with the exception of a brief section covering the past 20 years (more on this below), I loved the book and hope lots of people read it. These Truths: A History of the United States, by the Harvard historian and New Yorker contributor Jill Lepore, is not a deep or comprehensive account of individual events or people. I never get tired of looking closely at seminal events, such as the Vietnam War, and figures I admire, such as the global heath hero Jim Grant. Over the years, I’ve read a lot of books about history, especially American history.
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