Comments on: Considering history taught today; do you think it is more fact or fiction?

By: James Bruce

James Bruce — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:32:36 +0000

After reading my college textbook on the Cold War, its simplified fact so much so that much of it is exaggerated or just plain false. I find many "history" books falling for the use of emotive language and exaggerations just to make money.

I wish aiming to be as objective as possible would be money making, or at least adopted by most historical writers.

By: Elijah

Elijah — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 01:37:32 +0000

I think that history today that is taught in schools is a mixture of fact, fiction, and lies that have been passed on throughout the years. For example, the American Civil War has had many different views stressed about it, but the only thing that ever shows up in history books (for the most part) is that it was fought solely over slavery. However, read the soldiers letters and you will find that very very few actually fought for slavery, they fought for states rights and to protect their families. But you never hear that mentioned in a high school history text. In fact, many schools (at least the ones I have come in contact with) do not teach about the Civil War, but about the technology in the War.

Now, I don't mean to emphasize the Civil War, that is just what I am passionate about and know about. But I believe that the history being taught today is neither fact, nor fiction, but merely watered-down versions of the parts that may not have even made such a big difference in that specific era in time.

Personally, I am very dissapointed in how history is taught today in schools! Math, Science, and English are stressed so much, but history is barely stressed at all. In fact, on most tests to get into college, history is not even mentioned. Social Studies or Social Science is, but neither is the true form of History that should be taught.

School kids today are not learning enough about their country's history. Most of the high school history classes (again, that I have come in contact with) are World history and not American history. How can our country thrive in the future if the people who will form that future know little to nothing of our nation's past? "The past is the key to the future." We can learn from past mistakes, but if the past mistakes are not taught then we are doomed to repeat them.

I do not mean to get onto a rant, but this is something I feel very strongly about and am very glad that this question was asked.

By: Chemerdjb

Chemerdjb — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:27:25 +0000

IS history taught in schools today?

Having recently (last 10 years) watch my 4 children go through and graduate high school, I am not sure what is being taught. It seem to me to be more of a sociology/psychology exercise than anything else.

I don't mind the round out of the courses with the real contribution by all Americans, but lets also put things in their proper context, and not use today's value judgments to condemn great men and women of the past and denigrate past accomplishments

By: Mike H.

Mike H. — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:40:04 +0000

I couldn't agree more,Darryl…except here, in the Volksrepublik Kalifornia, Where Der Fuhrer, AH-nuld, has restricted education funds to the point where the schools don't TEACH History.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:59:30 +0000

It is what every liberal teacher thinks it should be. I say go back to the history books and teach it like we learned it. None of your bias slant on history.
Our nation withour it's history is nothing!!!

Chuck in Montana

By: Darryl Raby

Darryl Raby — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:41:07 +0000

At any level below college ( & sadly at some colleges) it is mythology, not history