*American History by Thomas Kidd

Interesting and readable, American History by Thomas Kidd is an outstanding resource for high school Christian students and teachers.

*American History by Thomas Kidd. B&H Academic, 2019. 704 pages.

Reading Level: Adult, ages 16 and up

Recommended For: Teens and Adults, ages 14 and up

What seems inordinately significant in retrospect may not have seemed so important at the time. Conversely, events and people that seem momentous at the time may not appear that way in retrospect.

Kidd, p. 1

Isn’t this the reason we study history in the first place? To gain perspective, both on historical people, places, and events, as well as those of our own time and place? As Christians, we also study history to see how God has been at work through and for his people and his creation. Kidd, a professing Christian, sets out to do just that in this (giant) history textbook. Beginning with pre-European American history, he casts a broad net. Most people know the “biggies” of American history: Columbus, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement. Survey texts seek to fill in the holes between the big events, weaving them into a cohesive narrative. What are the forces and events that led to these wars and monumental events? What are the results of those same wars and events?

Many new textbooks are seeking to weave new stories altogether from these disparate bits and pieces of history. Kidd tries to balance the old and new: telling the amazing story of American history that honors the good history and traditions of this country while simultaneously weaving in the (often) previously neglected strands relating to minorities and people of faith. Kidd outlines his three thematic emphases right away: “attention to religion,” “racial and ethnic conflict,” and “the state of American culture.”

Does he succeed? Yes.

The result is a hefty 700+ page meaty, dense history text packed with information and ideas. Clear chapter breaks and subheadings helpfully break up the text into accessible chunks; it reads linearly, like a regular book, and is (thankfully!) missing the many disruptive textbooks, asides, and miscellany that break up many modern textbooks into chaotic narratives. Christians will especially appreciate the attention given to Christianity’s role in American history. Kidd’s emphasis on racial and ethnic conflict is a marked change from many traditional textbooks, but it’s a welcome one. Rather than a Marxist approach, which views history through a racist/class-based lens, Kidd offers a more nuanced approach, showing racial conflict between many different groups and also highlighting people of all races who have made considerable contributions to American history. A quick survey of the index shows entries as diverse as Lemuel Haynes, Jimi Hendrix, and the Gospel Coalition. Christianity, race, and entertainment are impossible to separate from America’s history; Kidd brings them back into the conversation in this readable textbook that covers American history from pre-Columbian times right up to Donald Trump’s election.

Who is this textbook for? Its reading level and content puts it at an upper high school/early college level text, equally appropriate for a high school U.S. history class or an early college U.S. history class (remembering that high school students would take a school year to get through the book while a college class would merely take a semester). It’s “textbook-y” enough that most high school students won’t pick it up for leisure reading. However, it’s well-written enough that most students will find it a very engaging and interesting school text. Homeschool and Christian schools, both, will find it a great choice; it’s too “Christian” for most public school environments, although it doesn’t read like many “Christian” textbooks. Rather than constantly referencing concepts like God’s sovereignty, Kidd focuses more on the people who professed Christianity and their role in our history.

All in all, this is an outstanding resource for Christian students and teachers.

Considerations:

• There are no extra “teaching” resources, such as quizzes, tests, pre-made study questions, and the like. High school teachers, in particular, will need to do a little teacher prep to make use of this book, but it will be time well spent.

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 5 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here. *indicates a starred review

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay (another excellent choice for a high school history text)
• A Resource: Browse all our books tagged “American History” for all ages
• A Review: This Is Our Constitution by Khizr Khan (a great middle grades level resource)

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