2018 SUMMER ASSIGNMENT AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

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1 2018 SUMMER ASSIGNMENT AP UNITED STATES HISTORY - ASSIGNMENT 1: READING ASSIGNMENT For students who love to read, keenly interested in history, and enjoy writing, this assignment will be easy. For everyone else, this should not be too onerous. Your assignment is to READ TWO BOOKS from the list below and from the two books you read, prepare ONE BOOK REVIEW for one of those books. Most of these volumes will be accessible through a public library (or interlibrary loan), or used (and inexpensive) copies can be purchased through a credible Internet service. (If you pursue a liberal arts degree in college, most of these volumes probably would be useful additions to your personal library.) I encourage you to choose topics that interest you; do not choose the shortest books. (These options tend to be more difficult to review.) Copies of each of the volumes cited below are in the school library. My suggestion is to read both books in their entirety, maybe even read the book you would rather not write a book review for first. Richard B. Bernstein, Thomas Jefferson John W. Blassingame, The Slave Community Bruce Catton, America Goes to War Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton James Flexner, Washington: The Indispensable Man Thomas Kidd, Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots David McCullough, 1776 James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era Edmund Morgan, The Birth of the Republic, Richard Morris, Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny BOOK REVIEW A book review is not a book report. Read your volumes carefully, paying particular attention to the author s purpose in writing the volume (usually found in the preface or introduction), the theme or themes of the volume, quality of research and writing, and utility as part of the historical literature for the period covered. Your book review should be a critical analysis and summary of the volume you read. The length will depend upon how much you should say about the book. At a minimum, be certain to include a complete bibliographic citation of both of the volumes read and consider the following topics:

2 What are the author s qualifications for writing on this subject? For instance, Ron Chernow is a prominent author and biographer, who did extensive research in the United States, Scotland, and the Virgin Islands to prepare his definitive biography, Alexander Hamilton. Does the author have a bias, hidden agenda, or point of view that is guiding his approach to how he addresses his subject? For instance, Lord Charles Cornwallis chronicle about the Yorktown campaign clearly is intended to place blame for the British defeat on his rival, Sir Henry Clinton. However, having a bias is not inherently bad. Thus, Larry Schweikart has a decidedly libertarian bias in chronicling U.S. history in his tome A Patriot s History of the United States. That s okay; acknowledge it and move on. Most of the writings of Charles Beard, however, have a distinct political and economic bias that includes only selective data and obviates an accurate historical interpretation. In writing your book review, ensure that you acknowledge the author s bias, possible hidden agenda, or point of view that is guiding his approach. What is the book about? Summarize the themes and subject matter, and highlight significant events and issues. Do not try to retell the entire history of the American Revolution in three double-spaced manuscript pages. What are the book s strengths and weaknesses? Is it well researched? Is it well written? Should others read it? Who is the intended audience? There are 200-page books written for children, and there are 100-page books written for adults. Some books are written for scholars; some books are composed for the general public (popular history vs. academic history). Then some books are simply written just to make money, such as U-Boats Off- Shore, or to satisfy a writer s ego, such as Civil War in Bosnia. What are the technical merits of the publication? Are there misspelled words, grammatical errors, poor binding, inaccurate maps, or grainy illustrations? Address these issues if they exist; do not write I didn t see any misspelled words. You would not describe your girlfriend by saying that she has no warts on her face; do not insult the author by doing the same thing. And finally, what do you think of this book as a piece of historical genre? Who would bother reading this book, and why should they read it? Do not submit some elementary school pabulum that says: I read this book, and it is so good. I think everyone should read this book. I think it is a good book, and it made me feel good too. It is a good book about history. Edit your book reviews carefully. Misspelled words, grammatical errors, one-sentence paragraphs, and vaporous writing will affect your grade. Think CRITICAL ANALYSIS, SUMMARY, SYNTHESIS, and EVALUATION as you draft your book reviews. Study some published book reviews for further guidance. Formatting and packaging are not critical. A pretty folder shows thoughtfulness, but the content is what counts. Be sure to place your name and class (AP U.S. History) in the top right corner. No title for the paper is necessary, but you must include a complete bibliographic citation for the book being reviewed and your second book, i.e., Author, Title, Place of Publication: Publisher, year of publication at the top of the first page of your review. Use an 11 or 12-font (nothing fancy) and

3 double-space your book review. The review should be at least three typed pages. If your review is longer than six pages, you wrote too much. DUE DATE: Your book review is due on the first day of class. AN OPTIONAL READING I earnestly recommend that you read any edition of E. B. White and William Strunk, The Elements of Style. Depending upon the edition, this little tome ranges from 80 to 125 pages, and there are often multiple copies at public libraries. Nonetheless, if you anticipate writing papers in college, this is a book that will serve you well. A good used copy over the Internet will cost less than a dollar. (Of course, shipping and handling will drive the expense up to about five dollars.) You are not required to read this book, but you may become a better writer if you do. ASSIGNMENT 2: AMERICAN CHRONOLOGY On the attached form, you are to select one date of your choosing in every designated decade and cite by year when an episode in the history of America (United States, North America, or Western Hemisphere) occurred. Give this assignment more thought than many of your predecessors. Anyone can do a Google search and complete this assignment in a couple of hours. Think about what you are doing. The objectives of this assignment are to stimulate your attention to American history and be able to arrange events in chronological order. If by the end of September, you cannot place the Declaration of Independence chronologically ahead of the U.S. Constitution, you may as well transfer out of AP U.S. History. For example: February 1732: George Washington born The exact date often will not be necessary, but you must cite at least the year and the event. Do not neglect the abbreviated essay that follows your chronology. Use good penmanship. DUE DATE: This assignment is due on the first day of class.

4 NAME: DECADE SIGNIFICANT DATE AND EVENT

5 Choose one of the dates and events cited above, and in the space below write a brief summary (4-10 sentences) explaining why this was a significant date or event in American history.