The history of the United States

There was a series on History channel a little while back which was very good, exactly what youve mentioned.
Keep an eye out as they always repeat it.

harveys gardener said:

Do these histories explain when most of the population became absolute tw@ts?

Actually, if you watch the series I mention you do get a much, much better understanding of the American mentality, not just towards guns but their totally different way of viewing the world.

Ormiston Addick said:

tangoflash said:

Wanting to learn a bit more about the history of the country just for my own curiosity, Starting from Columbus discovery to the modern day.

So I was wondering if anyone can recommend any DVDs that would cover this? Books are also an option but would prefer to watch something to get started with.................

The best one is America - A Personal History of the United States by Alistair Cooke of 'Letter From America' fame, its a four-disc DVD pack and you should get it easily via Amazon or whatever.

It covers the discovery of the US by Columbus right through to about 1970 and was mandated by President Reagan to be part of the US education syllabus for history.

I would double that recommendation.

I liked Hugh brogan's Oxford history about 400 pages, very digestible and balanced.

fatrob said:

Did you know that the red stripes on the American flag was originally taken off the St Georges Cross.

I thought it was an adaption of the British east India company flag

redcarter said:

fatrob said:

Did you know that the red stripes on the American flag was originally taken off the St Georges Cross.

I thought it was an adaption of the British east India company flag

That's what I was told in a history museum in Boston.

colthe3rd said:

harveys gardener said:

Do these histories explain when most of the population became absolute tw@ts?

I do enjoy a nice casual bit of xenophobia on CL now and again, thanks!

Careful. Pointiing our such uncomfotable truths often leads to personal abuse. : - (

Back on topic Studs Terkel's American Century (or anything by him) give a broader insight into the US.

Hugh Brogan is also good.

Dee Browns' Bury my head at Wounded Knee is a must read.

Ken Burns has done some award winning TV series. The Civil war is my favorite. PBS shows them ocer here if you have that channel.

I didn't know the US was lost.

Haven't they now proved the Vikings got there long before any others.

LLTS

BIG_ROB said:

se9addick said:

Addickted said:

I didn't know the US was lost.

Haven't they now proved the Vikings got there long before any others.

Native Americans "discovered" it before any of the above

Thanks for pointing that out.

No worries

BIG_ROB said:

Complaining about Xenophobia is only permitted if it's towards the British, especially the English. Otherwise it's left wing twonks being PC

Corrected for you : - )

BIG_ROB said:

Henry Irving said:

BIG_ROB said:

Complaining about Xenophobia is only permitted if it's towards the British, especially the English. Otherwise it's left wing twonks being PC

Corrected for you : - )

Thanks, point still stands.

Yes, it does. xenophobia is wrong regardless but some seem to only complain if it's themselves in the firing line.

Anyone else and it's "PC gone mad" Strange that.

Henry Irving said:

BIG_ROB said:

Henry Irving said:

BIG_ROB said:

Complaining about Xenophobia is only permitted if it's towards the British, especially the English. Otherwise it's left wing twonks being PC

Corrected for you : - )

Thanks, point still stands.

Yes, it does. xenophobia is wrong regardless but some seem to only complain if it's themselves in the firing line.

Anyone else and it's "PC gone mad" Strange that.

Glad you agree