I'm in the process of starting my AP US History class, and I was wondering what the most popular textbooks are in high schools across the country? Any suggestions?
There are several popular textbooks that US high schools often use for AP US History classes. Two of the most widely used books are:
1. "The American Pageant" by Thomas A. Bailey, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen: This textbook is well-regarded for its comprehensive, detailed essays on key periods in American history and its biographical sketches of major figures. Its descriptive and engaging writing style makes studying history interesting for the students. Especially handy for APUSH students are the topic summaries at the end of each chapter for quick revisions.
2. "America: A Narrative History" by George Brown Tindall and David E. Shi: This text is used frequently because of its approach that combines the best of both content-rich and story-driven history textbooks. This text features what's referred to as an "enhanced narrative", infusing important factual details seamlessly into a readable, compelling story.
In deciding on a textbook, it's essential to pick one that aligns with your study habits, reading style, and the approach of your class. Ensure your chosen textbook aligns with the AP US History course outline to cover all the necessary topics and periods. Best of luck with your AP US History class! It's a challenging, but often fascinating, course.
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