《美国历史》继哈佛大学著名历史学家钱宁的《美国学生历史》（英汉双语版）出版问市后，受到众多读者欢迎，不少读者期望能到英文原版关于美国历史的教材，《美国历史》正是为满足这部分读者纯英文阅读的需求。 这本全英文版的《美国历史》由美国著名历史学家比尔德编写，以西方人的视角，深浅出地介绍了从殖民地时期到世界大战期间美国历史上的重大事件与文明发展。《美国历史》按不同历史时期，分知识，一一讲述，便于理解记忆。为使读者更好地理解和掌握各章的重和难，每章末尾还附有练习题和思考题。文中还配有相应的插图，便于对不同地域和各个时期人物及事件有更直观感受。通过阅读《美国历史》，能理清美国历史发展脉络，获得对美国历史全景式认知，从而能更好地了解美国这个社会和文化多元的国家。 《美国历史》英文版适合高中以上读者阅读使用，对于备考ＳＡＴ的学生应该很有帮助。全书提供配套英文朗读下载，在提升阅读水平的同时练习英文听力与口语。对于普通英语学习爱好者，也是一本很好的了解美国历史的学习读本。作者在前言中，对《美国历史》的特作了如下介绍： It is not upon negativefeatures, however, that we rest our case. It is rather uponconstructive features. First. We have written a topical, not a narrative, history. Wehave tried to set forth the important aspects, problems, andmovements of each period, bringing in the narrative rather by wayof illustration. Second. We have emphasized those historical topics which help toexplain how our nation has come to be what it is to-day. Third. We have dwelt fully upon the social and economicaspects of our history, especially in relation to the politics ofeach period. Fourth. We have treated the causes and results of wars, theproblems of financing and sustaining armed forces, rather thanmilitary strategy. These are the subjects, which belong to ahistory for civilians. These are matters which civilians canunderstand—matters which they must understand, if they are to playwell their part in war and peace. Fifth. By omitting the period of exploration, we have beenable to enlarge the treatment of our own time. We have givenspecial attention to the history of those current questions whichmust form the subject matter of sound instruction incitizenship. Sixth. We have borne in mind that America, with all her uniquecharacteristics, is a part of a general civilization. Accordinglywe have given diplomacy, foreign affairs, world relations, and thereciprocal influences of nations their appropriate place. Seventh. We have deliberately aimed at standards ofmaturity. The study of a mere narrative calls mainly for the use of thememory. We have aimed to stimulate habits of analysis, comparison,association, reflection, and generalization—habits calculated toenlarge as well as inform the mind. We have been at great pains tomake our text clear, simple, and direct; but we have earnestlysought to stretch the intellects of our readers— to put them upontheir mettle. Most of them will receive the last of their formalinstruction in the high school. The world will soon expect maturityfrom them. Their achievements will depend upon the possession ofother powers than memory alone. The effectiveness of theircitizenship in our republic will be measured by the excellence oftheir judgment as well as the fullness of their information.

【推荐语】

双语版推荐： 美国历史:美国学生经典历史教材(英汉双语朗读版，随书附赠配套朗读CD光盘) 《美国历史》是美国著名历史学家比尔德为美国中学生写作的一本历史读本，曾在美国学校使用并受到欢迎。《美国历史》全书根据美历史的不同阶段，划分为七个部分，从美洲大陆的发现到世界大战，共29篇。每一篇章归纳出若干知识，便于学习理解。章节后面附有总结与讨论话题，引导读者一步探讨与发现。 《美国历史》全英文文本，配合下载的朗读文件，对国内读者全提升英语更有很大帮助。

【作者】

作者查尔斯·Ａ·比尔德，美国著名历史学家，去世于1948年。他写作的《美国文明的兴起》一书，被商务印书馆翻译出版并选“汉译名著”系列。 Charles Austin Beard (November 27, 1874—September 1, 1948) wasan American historian. He published hundreds of monographs,textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and politicalscience. His works included radical re-evaluation of the FoundingFathers of the United States, whom he believed were more motivatedby economics than by philosophical principles. Mary Ritter Beard (August 5, 1876—August 14, 1958) was aninfluential American historian and archivist , who played an important role in the women'ssuffrage movement and was a lifelong advocate for social justicethrough educational and activist roles in both the labor andwoman's rights movements. She wrote several books on women's rolein history including On Understanding Women (1931), America ThroughWomen's Eyes (1933) and Woman As Force In History: A Study inTraditions and Realities (1946). In addition, she collaborated withher husband, eminent historian Charles Austin Beard on severaldistinguished works, most notably The Rise of American Civilization(1927).