As we discussed in class, the ìextra assignmentî is optional and must be approved
by both instructor and student, in writing, in order for it to be considered
in influencing your grade in this course. Possible books are listed below, along
with examples of appropriate questions that you will answer.
All details of this assignment will be included in the written contract between instructor
and student.
When you are ready to begin work, contact your instructor BEFORE February 25,
1998. A failure to do so will forfeit your participation in this assignment for
the term.
Readings in American History 1600-1840 Reading List
1. Blevins, Winfred, Give Your Heart to the
Hawk, Avon, NYC, 1973, 279 pages. Excellent account of the Mountain Men
2. Brodie, Fawn M., Thomas Jefferson: An
Intimate History, 1974, Bantam, (W.W. Norton),NYC, 676 pages
3. Brown, Dee, The Gentle Tamers: Women of the
West, (paperback), 317 pages, London, 1973,
Barrie and Jenkins (history). Easy reading; extremely interesting
4. De Tocqueville, Alexis, Democracy in
America, NY, 1956, Mentor (paperback), 331 pages (history). A classic; not easy reading
5. Franklin, B., The Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin, NY, 1968, Lancer Books, Inc.
(paperback), 181 pages (history). A classic;easy reading
6. Fergusson, Harvey, Wolf Song, University of
Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1981, Bison Book, (novel), 206 pages
7. Friedman, Jean E. and William G. Shade, Our
American Sisters, Boston, 1973, Allyn and
Bacon, 220 pages (Part I and Part II only) (history)
8. Guthrie, A.B., The Big Sky, Bantam, Houghton-
Mifflin, Boston, 1975, (novel), (paperback), 367 pages
9. Guthrie, A.B., The Way West, Houghton-Mifflin,
Boston, 1972, Bantam, (novel), (paperback), 332 pages
10. Guthrie, A.B., Fair Land: Fair Land, Houghton-
Mifflin, Boston, 1982, (novel), (paperback), 262 pages
11. Hofstadter, Richard, American at 1750: A Social
Portrait, NY, Vintage, 1971, (paperback), 293 pages (history
12. Hofstadter, Richard, The American Political
Tradition, NY, 1974, Vintage (paperback), 92
pages (Older editions are identical in content--Chapters I, II, III, and IV only)
(history)
13. L'Amour, Lewis, The Lonesome Gods, 1983, Bantam
NY, (novel), 350 pages
14. Madgic, Robert F., Rebels vs. Royalists: What
Was the American Cause?, Scholastic Book
Services, 1966, (paperback), 91 pages (primary sources) (history)
15. Michener, James A., Centennial, 1974, Random
House, NY, 1086 pages, (novel), (paperback)
16. Michener, James A., Chesapeake, 1976, Random
House, NY, 1086 pages, (novel), (paperback)
17. Roberts, Kenneth, Oliver Wiswell, 1940,
Doubleday, Doran & Co., (paperback), (novel), 783 pages
18. Roberts, Kenneth, Rabble in Arms, 1947, Fawcett
Premier, Greenwich, Connecticut, (novel) 608 pages
19. Schlissel, Lillian, Women's Diaries of the
Westward Journey, 1982, NY, Schoken Books, 231 pages (history), extremely interesting
20. Stone, Irving, The President's Lady, 1966, Avon, NYC, 312 pages (biographical
novel--a classic)
21. Tannenbaum, Frank, Slave and Citizen: The Negro
in the Americas, NY, 1963, Vintage, (paperback)
128 pages (history); an interesting comparative study
22. Vail, Phillip, Aaron Burr: The Great American Rascal, Award, 1974, biography,
(paperback), 241 pages
23. Vidal, Gore, Burr, NY, 1973, Random House,
Bantam (paperback), (novel), 526 pages
(historical novel), another image of Burr
emerges; excellent
24. Waldo, Anna Lee, Sacajawea, 1984, Avon Books,
NYC, 1328 pages. A fascinating novel about one
of America's great historical personages; excellent
25. Thom, James Alexander, Follow The River, 1981,
NYC, Ballantine, 406 pages. A fascinating
historical novel based on the true ordeal of Mary Ingles in 1755
26. Thom, James Alexander, Long Knife, 1979,
Ballantine, NYC, 528 pages
27. Weatherford, Jack, Indian Givers, Crown, 1988 NYC, 255
pages, history (anthropology) (paperback)
Possible Paper Topics
1. Author - background?
2. What was the author's purpose in writing this book?
3. What was the scope of the book? (Time period covered--topic or topics treated?
e.g., Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath--Scope = 1930's; Topics covered = the Great
Depression and the Okie migration to California.
4. What was the central theme?
5. Did the book add to your previous knowledge of the subject? How? Did it change
any of your views previously held about the subject?
6. Are there some unquestioned generalizations or assumptions which the author makes
without attempting to verify them?
7. Was the evidence selected to provide the author's argument satisfactory? Was it
appropriate? Could you check the sources of his information if you desired?
8. Were people, facts, and events used in evidence?
9. Comment on the following terms of discernible bias or a lack of bias--the language
of the author, the evidence which the author has selected, the format of the book,
examples or illustrations, the sources and bibliography, criticisms of other theories,
interpretations, or books.
10. Was there a unique aspect or feature of the book?
11. Why would this book be considered a classic in its field?
12. Did the author succeed in his purpose? Why or why not?
13. What was the most effective argument that the author advanced? The least effective?
Were the arguments logical?
14. If a novel, how did the characters, plot, style and tone of the book demonstrate
the central idea of the novel?
15. Did you personally like the book? What part of the book or specific events interested
you most? Any dislikes?