America's Hidden History

My son's interest in history turned into a passion after he saw the movie National Treasure.

It took him awhile to figure out that the screenwriter blurred the line between fact and fiction. It's fun to think there are secret symbols and treasure maps hidden in our monuments and historical documents.

In a way, though, there is treasure of a different kind contained in the countless fascinating stories that make up the history of our country.

Some of them are told in the new book America's Hidden History, by Kenneth C. Davis. He's the author of the phenomenal 1990 best-seller Don't Know Much About History, which presented the "big picture" of our nation's history in a fun and easy-to-read format.

His new book has a much narrower focus, telling six dramatic stories from the earliest days of America. Davis brings to light little-known facts about the first real Pilgrims, the less than idyllic relationship between the Puritans and Indians, and the war crimes of George Washington.

You know, basically all the stuff they never taught us in school.

Whether it was out of ignorance or fear, our educational leaders decided long ago that children can't handle the truth about history. So, all of our founding fathers became saintly heroes and early settlers lived in peace with the natives. Davis breaks many of these cherished myths with color and intrigue. And, most importantly, with facts about America's past.

This book is ideal for anyone with a love of history. Recommended for high school and up.

Check it out at your local bookseller, or at Amazon.