Lies My History Teacher Told Me

Roy 1 !

Brooke Roy

! Batson Mr. ! US History A.P. ! August 2015 13 ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! Lies My Teacher Told Me Analysis

James W. Loewen is best known as the author of the the National Bestselling book, Lies My

Teacher Told Me: Everything Your History Textbook Got Wrong. The book was published in 1995, but after completely revising and updating it, it was republished in 2008. Professor Loewen is a well known sociologist and historian, as well as an avid believer in civil rights and justice for all races. He has also taken notice of the propaganda that accommodates American History textbooks. He examined 12 textbooks for the first edition, and 6 more for the second edition, all of which commonly used by school teachers across the country. In his book, he explains all of the false facts of history that kids and young adults are being taught in school, furthermore explaining why they are false, as well as giving us insight to the truth. Loewen uses a very interesting style of writing. He starts off every chapter with three or four quotes regarding the topic he will discuss in that particular chapter, all of which agree with his side of the argument. He usually incorporates real high school and college students reactions to the topic throughout the chapter to further prove his point. He uses this method as a way of proving to the reader that the students really do learn and accept the false viewpoints of history taught to them, as he had claimed. He alas has a diverse vocabulary that he uses. His word choice is broad and elaborate, and his terns are vey uncommon. He also tends to use very long sentences, and a complex work structure. Whereas sometimes to can be confusing, he does make his points across very effectively. He does a good job at organizing all of his information about each topic in a precise way, and he transitions from one point to another with ease. HIs methods and style of writing is unique and something of its own. It contributes greatly to...