Advanced Placement United States History
Summer Assignment
Book: Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen
This book is available at a variety of places. There are 8 copies in circulation in
the Chester County Library System. It is available for around $10.18 from
www.amazon.com. Often, used copies can be obtained at a much cheaper rate.
Make sure you are purchasing the 2007 or 2008 version of the book, as there are
multiple editions. The most recent publication date is April 8, 2008.
Background: James Loewen surveyed twelve leading high school American History textbooks.
Loewen argues that the books represent history with blind patriotism, mindless optimism,
misinformation and outright lies. The purpose of this summer assignment is to expose you to
Loewen’s argument and to help you think more critically about history.
Assignment:
1. Read the book.
2. Answer the attached questions. Your responses must be HANDWRITTEN. I WILL
NOT ACCEPT A TYPED ASSIGNMENT (I know that seems silly but there is a reason.)
Your answers will vary in length. Some will only be one paragraph (5-7 sentences)
while others will be several paragraphs long. Your goal is to answer them all
completely. In general (this will be a rule for the entire school year), tell the whole
story. Don’t leave anything to the reader’s imagination.
3. Be prepared to discuss the book throughout the year as appropriate to each topic. This
will mean that you will need to make notes while you are reading.
4. If you have any questions please feel free to email me any time throughout the summer.
I will not check my email daily but I will check it regularly.
dcoldiron@oxford.k12.pa.us
5. Be prepared with answers to the questions on the first day of school. This is a 100 point
assignment. This is the equivalent of a test score.
6. Begin early and work often as to not become overwhelmed during your last week of
summer vacation!
Summer Reading Questions
1. Loewen identifies the herofication as a key practice used in textbooks. What does he mean by
herofication? What are the key elements of the herofication process?
2. What is the purpose of herofication? Should this traditional practice be used? Why or why not?
3. How are Wilson and Keller heroified? What do you believe is gained or lost in the heroification of these
important historical figures?
4. Why is chapter two titled “1493”? Explain.
5. Why do American History textbooks promote the belief that most important developments in the
world are traceable to Europe?
6. What is Loewen’s dilemma with focusing so much attention on Columbus?
7. What are some of the myths surrounding Columbus according to Loewen?
8. Identify the elements of Columbus’s discovery narratives that are being challenged by historians and
scholars. What are the actual facts of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage?
9. What are some of the myths of the first Thanksgiving? What are some of the truths? Why are there
myths?
10. Explain the role of climate and disease in the “settling” of New England. How does the inclusion of
these two elements in Loewen’s analysis challenge what you have learned of the settling of New
England? What can you conclude of Native American life prior to their European contact?
11. What are some of your recollections of the portrayals of Native Americans prior learning in school? Do
they differ or are they the same as the accounts that Loewen surveyed?
12. Why do some textbooks gloss over events between Native Americans and white Americans in the 19th
and 20th centuries?
13. What is the relationship between racism and slavery? How does each are they similar? Can there be
one without the other?
14. What examples does the author cite to show the invisibility of racism in American History textbooks?
What this surprising to you? Why or why not?
15. What is the Confederate Myth of Reconstruction? How do textbooks foster and support this myth?
16. How have textbooks portraits of John Brown changed over time? What is his legacy? How should he
be judged? (You may have to do a little background research on Brown to best answer this question.)
17. What examples does Loewen cite to show the invisibility of antiracism in American History textbooks?
18. Why do American History textbooks routinely leave out issues of social and economic inequality?
19. Do texts paint a realistic picture of the American federal government? Why or why not? Be sure to
include specific examples.
20. Why do American History textbooks gloss over the recent past? What, according to you, is the last
date for history vs. current events? (E.g. do events in 2000 count as history? Or 1995 or 1990?)
21. The course you are enrolled in is called Advanced Placement United States History and not AP
American History. What message does this convey? Is this distinction important? Why or why not?
22. What are your expectations of this course? What do you hope to gain? What do you expect of yourself
and what should I expect of you? Be aware that I may hold you to what you write! Are there any
questions, comments or concerns that you have?
23.
*****Have a really awesome summer!!!!!*****