Which Landmark Books for US History

Are you covering U.S. history because the SCM history modules include it, or is it because it interests you and you want your children to learn American history?  Or perhaps you are living in the United States at this time.

Since you said you are Australian, then you could study Australian history instead of U.S. history, unless it is a requirement for your children if you are living in the U.S.  The reason the SCM curriculum guide includes American history is because the founders/developers of Simply Charlotte Mason are American, and so that is what their children are/were studying.  Charlotte Mason herself had her students study British history since she (and they) lived in Great Britain.

If I had to pick….

The Vikings (Landmark)
This Dear Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham
The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark)
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Landmark)
The Stout-Hearted Seven, Orphaned on the Oregon Trail by Neta Lohnes Frazier
By the Great Horned Spoon by Sid Fleischman
Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg and/or follow-up with Abraham Lincoln by James Daugherty
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

This is ten and I realize they are not all Landmark or Messner biographies, but they are books that we’ve read and they really had an impact on our family. I tried to list them in chronological order, but the last title is set between WWI and WWII, which is as far as we’ve come in our study so I’m not yet sure about recommendations after WWII.

Also, if you want a couple Landmark biographies Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Cousins and The Wright Brothers by Reynolds are both excellent. In addition, you may consider a book about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson (the one by Clara Ingram Judson is fabulous) and/or Theodore Roosevelt.

Hope that helps,
Melissa

Well, we have read and loved many of the books already mentioned in this thread but I’m going to try to think of some titles that focus on key events and people in American history for someone who wants to hit the highlights.

If you are specifically wanting Landmark books, I would pick one on George Washington, John Adams, and one overview of the American Revolution.

The Landing of the Pilgrims would be a great one to cover the beginnings of American colonization.

Abraham Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House is excellent.

I would follow that one up with an overview of the Civil War.

A couple of good books on America’s involvement in the World Wars would be good to round out American in the modern age.

I also want to recommend a set of excellent narrative American history books that we have really enjoyed. If you chose these books, they would give a great overview of all American history. They are the history for Peter series by Gerald Johnson. I can’t recommend them highly enough! They are written at about the same level as most Landmark books, are not overwhelming in size, and are extremely well written.

I didn’t recommend specific Landmark titles for the most part, because we read so many that I can’t remember the exact titles other than the Abe Lincoln book.

You’re so welcome. 🙂

The only one I remember reading from the Civil War period is:

Clara Barton: Founder of the Red Cross

It was very good but not exactly the type of book you are looking for. I would go with Robin’s suggestion above.

We read Lawrence of Arabia which falls under the World War 1 topic. It was very good as well but I’m not sure it gives a good idea of America in World War 1.

Concerning World War 2 titles, my son really enjoyed the following:

30 Seconds Over Tokyo

John F. Kennedy and PT 109