As strange as this might sound, this textbook will keep you entertained because of the weird, snappy comments scattered throughout the book (if you don't believe me, check facebook - there are at least three tribute groups to the textbook). I managed to do pretty well on the AP exam and very well on the SAT II, which I attribute mostly to having this as a textbook.
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From: An AP student. For my APUSH (AP U.S History) class, our homework usually consists of reading and outlining ten pages of this masterpiece. From the first ten pages, I was hooked. The descriptions of pre-Columbian America are very beautiful. And that is why it is criticized. Many feel that it is too much opinion than fact, it's too flowery, too fanciful, too novel-esque. But that is why I enjoy it so much. For example,...
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Bailey's American Pagaent is engaging and informative, and is an absolute must-have for any AP US student. In addition to earning me a 5 on the exam, this book frankly helped shape my opinion on American society past and present. It enabled me to understand the key themes of our past: compromise, expasion, free enterprise vs. government regulation, social movements, and much more. The book is, generally speaking, organized...
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Though, like any history textbook, Bailey's wades through a sea of dates and names, he also has a wry sense of humor which makes the text often fun to read. From quips about prostitution and presidential inadequacies we see that this author is more than just a noted historian, he is a burgeoning comedian, too.
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I read this book first in high school several years ago as part of an advanced placement U.S. History course. I hated it then - but love it now. Bailey captures the depth of the issues the nation faced in each step of its development. His accuracy and profound insight keep the subject matter from becoming too dry. What I loved most about the text is that it never over-simplifies the significant historical events such as the...
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