American Past and Present
Worth buying if: You want a single-volume U.S. history survey by Robert A. Divine.
Skip it if: You need post-1998 events or the latest historiography.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780201661156. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
American Past and Present offers a broad, chronological account of United States history, from early colonies through the late 20th century. Divine emphasizes national development, conflict, and change across politics, culture, and society.
Why this book now
Use this 1998 Addison-Wesley survey to frame today’s debates within the longer arc of American history.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want a single-volume U.S. history survey by Robert A. Divine.
- You're interested in a late-20th-century framing of American history.
- You need post-1998 events or the latest historiography.
- You're seeking a narrow case study, memoir, or biography.
- You only want something with very current references and examples.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780201661156
Worth buying if: You want a single-volume U.S. history survey by Robert A. Divine.
Skip it if: You need post-1998 events or the latest historiography.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Balanced Moderate time
A textbook-style survey that rewards steady, chapter-by-chapter reading and occasional pausing to connect eras and themes.
What stands out here
This 1998 Addison-Wesley edition reflects scholarship and interpretations current to the late 20th century.
Best way to approach it
Read chronologically, keep a timeline of key events handy, and annotate major turning points to trace cause and effect across U.S. history.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780201661156
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.