Multicultural and Alternate Histories

MH 1: Inventing Western Civilization by Thomas C Patterson: Drawing on his extensive knowledge of early societies, Thomas C. Patterson shows how class, sexism, and racism have been integral to the appearance of “civilized” societies in Western Europe. He lays out clearly and simply how civilization, with its designs of “civilizing” and “being civilized,” has been closely tied to the rise of capitalism in Western Europe and the development of social classes.

MH 2: A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki: Takaki traces the economic and political history of Indians, African Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, and Jewish people in America, with considerable attention given to instances and consequences of racism. The narrative is laced with short quotations, cameos of personal experiences, and excerpts from folk music and literature. Well-known occurrences, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Trail of Tears, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Japanese internment are included.

MH 3: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn: Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, A People’s History of the United States is the only volume to tell America’s story from the point of view of — and in the words of — America’s women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, working poor, and immigrant laborers.

MH 4: A Little Matter of Genocide: Holocaust and Denial in the Americas 1492 to the Present by Ward Churchill: Ward Churchill explores the history of holocaust and denial in this hemisphere, beginning with the arrival of Columbus and continuing on into the present.

MH 5: In the Hands of the Great Spirit: The 20,000 year History of American Indians by Jake Page: A complete, one-volume history of the American Indians, presented from the Native American point of view, draws on historical documents, archeological artifacts, and oral legends to profile early societies, clarify misconceptions, and describe recent revivals.

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