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  • A True History of the United States

  • Indigenous Genocide, Racialized Slavery, Hyper-Capitalism, Militarist Imperialism and Other Overlooked Aspects of American Exceptionalism (Sunlight Editions)
  • By: Daniel Sjursen
  • Narrated by: Daniel Sjursen
  • Length: 24 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17 ratings)

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A True History of the United States

By: Daniel Sjursen
Narrated by: Daniel Sjursen
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Summary

“Thought-provoking—a must read for [everyone] seeking a firm grasp of accurate American history." (Kirkus starred review)

Brilliant, listenable, and raw. Maj. (ret.) Danny Sjursen, who served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and later taught history at West Point, delivers a true epic and the perfect companion to Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States.

Sjursen shifts the lens and challenges readers to think critically and to apply common sense to their understanding of our nation's past—and present—so we can view history as never before.

A True History of the United States was inspired by a course that Sjursen taught to cadets at West Point, his alma mater. With chapter titles such as "Patriots or Insurgents?" and "The Decade That Roared and Wept", A True History is accurate with respect to the facts and intellectually honest in its presentation and analysis.

  • Essential reading for every American with a conscience.
  • Meticulously researched, Sjursen provides a more complete sense of history and encourages readers to view our country objectively.
  • Sjursen’s powerful storytelling reveals balanced portraits of key figures and the role they played.

"Sjursen exposes the dominant historical narrative as at best myth, and at times a lie ... He brings out from the shadows those who struggled, often at the cost of their own lives, for equality and justice. Their stories, so often ignored or trivialized, give us examples of who we should emulate and who we must become." (Chris Hedges, author of Empire of Illusion and America: The Farewell Tour)

©2021 Daniel Sjursen (P)2021 Truth to Power
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Critic reviews

"An engaging warts-and-all history of the U.S. meant to better educate those who fight for it...Strongly written and thought-provoking—a must read for nonhistorians seeking a firm grasp of accurate American history."Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Sjursen’s analysis compels the reader to think critically, in order to move beyond the half-truths that keep us from collectively solving America’s most persistent and damaging inequities.”Seattle Book Review

"Eye-opening and thought-provoking . . . for anyone wanting a solid and more complete understanding of our shared history, this is a great book to have."—Lily Bartels of The Open Door Bookstore on Northeast Public Radio

What listeners say about A True History of the United States

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Excellent 100% recommend

Great book - jolly well read it!!! Very nuanced perspective on American history :-) Well done

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Left wanting more (which is a good thing)

What I really liked about this book was the flood of information provided by the author positively encouraging one to look for other books which would provide more detailed writing on the various references made by the author. For instance, the material on the US/Philippines war and the US/Mexican war absolutely necessitate wider readings on those subjects and, worryingly, seem to show the US acting in ways that shocked me. If you want to read a book that opens your eyes to a more cynical approach to US history then this is the book.

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Eye opening

A story which puts things into context. Strips away fantasy and sets the US in a more correct light. Exposes the hype and demonstrates that after 240 years, like all empires, it’s on its downward spiral. Whilst not a perfect edit or slick production I enjoyed hearing it from the writer. It gave authenticity

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Very good book

In order to fully understand current events and apparent insanity of the political class of the most powerful nation in the world, one first has to understand its history. Well written and concise. Highly recommended.

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