Mainland Regional High School - U.S. History I (Honors)

Summer Reading Assignment

Assigned Readings (All Assigned Readings are included in the packets compliments of the History Department at Mainland  - If you did not receive a blue reading packet from your middle school please stop by the Guidance Office at Mainland to pick one up!!)

Each of these selected readings provides a different perspective on early American history.  In the selected chapters both William Bennett and Howard Zinn analyze and discuss the same time period, but from two entirely different perspectives.  Enjoy!!

1.  America the Last Best Hope – William Bennett

            Chapter 1 – Westward the Course (1492-1607) Pages 1-29

            Chapter 2 – A City Upon a Hill (1607-1765) Pages 30-61

2.  A People’s History of the United States – Howard Zinn

            Chapter 1 – Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress (Pages 1-22)

            Chapter 2 – Drawing the Color Line (Pages 23-38)

            Chapter 3 – Persons of Mean and Vile Condition (Pages 39-58)

PLEASE SEE ANALYSIS QUESTIONS AND FUTHER DETAILS FOR THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT ON THE NEXT PAGE!!

Analysis of Readings

(Use the selected readings to answer each of the questions in outline format)

Provide thorough and analytical responses to each question.  Be sure to include specific examples/evidence to support each of your responses. 

1. Research each author/historian in order to discover background information that will help you in understanding the perspective of each writer and any bias that may exist in how they view history, what they choose to include or omit in their works, or what topics receive the most attention in their books.  In other words how does their background, perspective, and bias impact their view and reporting of American history?  The following is a list of suggested item to research for each writer:

• Time Period in which they grew up (Age)
• Where they grew up
• Family – Socio-economic status
• Education Level and Location
• Employment Experiences, Military Experiences, etc…
• Other notable experiences

2. What do you believe were the goals of both Zinn’s and Bennett’s books?  What do you think motivated them to write about U.S. history in the manner in which they did?

3. What do these two very different works about the same time period in American history teach us about the nature of historical writing and study?  How did this reading assignment change or impact your view of history?

4. Which writer/book do you prefer or did you find most interesting?  Explain why?

5. Create an outline for each assigned chapter for both books.  Each outline should include the following:

Main Points/Themes/Arguments

- Multiple Examples of Supporting Evidence from the Readings

Students will be required to bring their responses and outlines to class on the first day of school.  During the first week (most likely the second day of school) there will be a Summer Reading Essay Test, which will require the students to have thoroughly analyzed both readings.