Promises to Keep: The United States Since World War II

by Paul S. Boyer

Designed for the "U.S. Since 1945" course, this comprehensive survey presents the World War II experience as a backdrop for understanding recent developments and events in American history. The text features four principal, interwoven themes: the pervasive impact of the Cold War; the effects of social-protest movements among African Americans, women, and other groups; the sources and impact of economic, demographic, and cultural changes; and a thorough examination of politics.

Genres: History

560 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Paul S. Boyer is a U.S. cultural and intellectual historian (Ph.D., Harvard University, 1966) and is Merle Curti Professor of History Emeritus and former director (1993-2001) of the Institute for Research in the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has held visiting professorships at UCLA, Northwestern University, and William & Mary; has received Guggenheim and Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships; and is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Society of American Historians, and the American Antiquarian Society. Before coming to Wisconsin in 1980, he taught at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (1967-1980).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_S._...

Reviews

[Steven Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

While a narrative approach to history can be done well, in this instance it came at the expense of facts and evidence. While the author certainly made an honest attempt, he focuses heavily upon politicized narratives which rely upon distortion of facts.

Additionally, the author's biases are in full veiw, occasionally resulting in logically absurd statements such as referring to the Reagan tax cuts as "a redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich."

This glossy, politicized view of history, although not entirely useless, is inappropriate for attempting to discern the true state of affairs of an era. Take it with a grain of salt.

[Literary Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most dull of all my required readings

[Marc Manley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Standard text book. Dry language. Was only semi-useful in class use.

[columbialion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly basic and abridged textbook for 20th Century American history course

[Nathan Newcomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A digestible read.

[Matthew Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good academic text