I'm an adult student filling in some gaps in my education, and I'm signed up for "US History 1". I'm sure the class will go great, but it looks like it's not going to have a textbook. That gives me the yips, since I vastly prefer to study from a book.
The description says: "Surveys the history of North America in the colonial era. Topics include the establishment of European colonies, relations between colonists and Native Americans, the development of slavery, economic and social developments, the relationship with the British Empire, the Revolutionary War, and the emergence of the U.S."
The useful outcomes are about the "differences in the political, economic, and social development of the New England and Southern colonies" and "the significance of European settlement patterns, economic developments, and imperial policies on colonists, Native Americans, and African Americans".
Seems like it's colonialism to just after the revolutionary war. This era doesn't seem to be represented in the history sub's reading list.
I'll probably be fine with the online materials, but can anyone recommend a textbook over this material that I can use to augment my studies?
Thanks!!1!
Hey, I totally understand feeling more comfortable with a textbook to use for reference.
Have you tried reaching out to the Professor/Teacher of the course? If there is a textbook they are partial to but didn’t assign for cost or other reasons that would be your best bet. Especially if it might mirror the general flow of the course or hit on topics that will be highlighted.
Even when I have not assigned a course textbook, I usually have one in mind.
I've taught with Eric Foner's Give Me Liberty: An American History. Getting an older edition will save you a lot of money and has almost exactly the same content. Later editions add a bit more religion from what I've heard. Also, check out the American Yawp. It's a free, collaborative open source, online textbook with primary sources put together by professors. It includes a list of 250 scholarly collaborators who contributed to its writing. They are also coming out with cheap print versions soon. Not sure when though. Good luck with your class!