Editorial Review
Kenneth C. Davis, author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller Don't Know Much About History, presents a collection of extraordinary stories, each detailing an overlooked episode that shaped the nation's destiny and character. Davis's dramatic narratives set the record straight, busting myths and bringing to light little-known but fascinating facts from a time when the nation's fate hung in the balance.
Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington's inauguration in 1789, America's Hidden History details these episodes, among others:
- The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists
- The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs that may have spread disease to many Native Americans
- The long, bloody relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast
- The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!
Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, America's Hidden History is an iconoclastic look at America's past, connecting some of the dots between history and today's headlines, proving why Davis is truly America's Teacher.
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Customer Reviews
Rambling, but good 
2008-09-29
In this interesting history book, author Kenneth C. Davis tells six "untold" stories from American history. The six stories are: 1) Isabella's Pigs, which discusses Reconquista-era Spain, and the birth of Spanish America; 2) Hannah's Escape, which discusses early colonial America and the relations between the colonists and the Native Americans; 3) Washington's Confession, covering George Washington's early and not-so-glorious military career; 4) Warren's Toga, which discusses the beginning of the American Revolution; 5) Arnold's Boot, the story of that all-American villain, Benedict Arnold; and 6) Lafayette's Sword, which moves past the Revolution to discuss Shay's Rebellion.
Hmm. Even in trying to write the above description, I had to leave out a lot. In fact, this book is rather rambling, as the author moves from event to event, frequently moving off on tangents. The stories have no overarching theme, but were apparently selected at the author's whim.
But, that said, Mr. Davis does tell an interesting story, and quite often I found myself learning something new. So, overall I found this to be a good book, not a great one by any means, but one that I am glad that I read.
Pleasant Afternoon Read, But Nothing Special 
2008-09-08
This collection is really mini-biographies of different people who made major impacts on early colonial history that most people know nothing about. We learn a little more about George Washington and Paul Revere but also about Joseph Warren and Benedict Arnold, the first settlements in North America (the Spanish and French in Florida) and about the first true dissidents in America.
The story about Anne Hutchinson and her family as they tried to live a non-Puritan life tell us a lot more about the original settlers in New England than you usually read in history books. Specifically that they brooked no dissent and treated the Indians badly.
The story of the first two settlements in Florida is a story I had never seen before. Some French Huegenots had first settled near modern Jacksonville and were doing pretty well until the Spanish decided to settle further south at St.Augustine. Feeling that all of the New World belonged to Spain, the Spanish go and massacre all of the French colonists (mostly because their 'Lutheranos') who are heretic Protestants. Nice to know the Spanish didn't leave the Inquisition behind in Old Spain.
All in all it's very likable, sort of McHistory.
Zeb Kantrowitz
Below My Expectations for Ken Davis 2008-08-27
I was disappointed. I am a big fan of the author, having enjoyed a number of his other works - especially "DNMA History" and "DNMA Civil War" and "DNMA Bible" over the years. This work, as other reviewers have noted, is odd. A collection of unrelated stories, disturbingly bloody at times, it is littered with dates and facts that distract from the tale, and the writing is not nearly as clear or engaging as the author's other works. While some of the stories are interesting, I found most to be either already known to me, or no different from hundreds of other interesting and important odd stories relating to America's history.
Amazing 
2008-07-23
If you're into history, this book will open your eyes to what the time was like during early America. Very enlightning and interesting.
America's Hidden History 2008-07-10
The book was a very good read & our book club members really enjoyed learning about America's unknown hidden history.
Disappointing 
2008-07-08
Kenneth C. Davis, author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller Don't Know Much About History, presents a collection of extraordinary stories, each detailing an overlooked episode that shaped the nation's destiny and character. Davis's dramatic narratives set the record straight, busting myths and bringing to light little-known but fascinating facts from a time when the nation's fate hung in the balance.
Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington's inauguration in 1789, America's Hidden History details these episodes, among others:
- The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists
- The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs that may have spread disease to many Native Americans
- The long, bloody relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast
- The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!
Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, America's Hidden History is an iconoclastic look at America's past, connecting some of the dots between history and today's headlines, proving why Davis is truly America's Teacher.
Absolutely Fabulous 2008-06-30
As a non-Amercan and having to teach American History to a group of international students, I found this book just what I needed to get them all interested. I learnt a lot and thouroughly enjoyed the read.
History's Hidden Secrets are not hidden anymore 2008-06-27
If you enjoy watching out-takes, and behind the scenes incidences of movies and television programs, this is definitely the book for you. Interestingly, the book portrays how many of our history making moments occurred if only by chance, and not without the many challenges that at times could have resulted in an unfavorable outcome. America's Hidden History as the name implies packed with little known facts that elucidate how certain events gradually served to make our country what it is today, is not only an engrossing narrative but also, a pictographic account of our nation's infancy.
Most historical accounts portray an epitome of perfection, every action carefully choreographed to reach the desired results. Not so says Kenneth C. Davis. Not only, do the readers discover the actual accuracy about the event, Mr. Davis also offers a provocative depiction of the idiosyncrasies behind the person responsible for that particular event.
A delightful read, not only was it informative, but a distinctly singular way to look at America's history, and the people behind it. George Washington, Paul Revere and Benedict Arnold emerged not just as historical figures, but also as human beings whose passion, patriotism and greed came to play an important role in the place they earned in history.
What I didn't learn in High School 2008-06-23
High School American History is what it is, a large composition of dates and names with little dimension of cause and effect. Since then I've heard tid bits from conversations, radio talk shows, tripsing around Jamestown, and book reviews. I listened to Mr. Davis on a radio talk show and his interview intrigued me into reading this book. The stories, related or not, gave me a perspective into these short biographies that brought my previous exposure of those topics into focus. I had heard that George Washington didn't ask for a salary as President, but instead asked the Congress to pay his expenses. That wasn't evident in the book, but the personality of the man Davis describes make such a request plausible. Just as I had learned and heard that Benedict Arnold wasn't a turncoat initially; I never knew why (but then I have never read his biography) but now I do. It's well written if you view each section as vignettes. I was a little confused at how he laid out the chapters at first, but then I got it. He gives you a time-line of European and American events, then he gives you the big picture and then he starts the story telling. For a quick fun read, I recommend his book.
America's Hidden History 2008-06-23
The writer gives more background than other historical books on the same subject...such as Washintons' bungles and the womens role in the times of the Puritans. I am still reading the book, but have enjoyed the "other side of the story".
