Criticizes accounts of Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration in 12 high school textbooks of U.S. history, citing their Eurocentrism, presentation of textbook history as absolute truth, lack of unpleasant details, and presentation of Columbus's voyage as origin myth. Lists 14 possible earlier expeditions to America. (SV)

In this paper, the subject of bias in historical materials is examined. Three articles and two reviews are presented. The articles are: (1) "How Multicultural Educational Materials Affect Children," by Neil J. Kressel and James W. Loewen; (2) "Pluralist History and Public Relations History," by James W. Loewen; and (3) "Televised History and Race…

Discusses steps taken to eliminate bias and misrepresentation from history textbooks and examines how descriptions of historical events can be affected. Describes how groups can question textbook material and states that, if the goal of textbook writing is to offend no one, then history will cease to exist in the schools. (GEA)

Reports on an examination of 14 American history texts for their content on the Southern Civil Rights Movement prior to the mid-1960s. Cites elitism, factual inaccuracy, and superficiality as common failings in many of these works. (Author/GC)

Surveys U.S. history texts to determine the coverage given to eastern European immigrants. Reports that Poland is most extensively covered and that the amount of coverage of other eastern European peoples increases with Polish coverage. Suggests a correlation between the frequency an ethnic group is cited and the size of its population in the…

The culture of the southern United States is examined in the context of its effects on race relations and how it is portrayed in curriculum. Many of the southern racial tragedies of the past are still unresolved and this is reflected in schools as they teach about the South. Since schools are dependent on published materials to teach classes, and…

Reviews the history textbooks "National Standards for World History: Exploring Paths to the Present" and "National Standards for United States History: Exploring the American Experience." The author explains that these texts are not exercises in indoctrination of any socio-political perspective, but stress group and individual…

American schools use history textbooks that distort history by slighting the influence of religion on customs and institutions. The textbooks used in Montgomery County, Maryland--a highly regarded district--may be considered a sample of those used in the nation's best schools. Yet among these texts there is a remarkable consensus that, after 1700,…

Discusses the cursory treatment of Mexican Americans and Mexican American History in United States History textbooks and classrooms. Identifies instructional methods useful in engaging student interest. Argues that the present inadequacies of education and educational tools in this area perpetuate existing stereotypes and contribute to cultural…

Explores the world of textbook preparation, focusing on the revision of "A History of the United States" by Daniel Boorstin and Brooks Kelley. Describes the process of revising each paragraph in a selected section of the book. Surveys the concerns of teachers regarding textbooks and the interests of the students who use them. (GEA)

This analysis of U.S. history textbooks from the 19th century to the present examines how and why textbooks have changed during certain decades. The book is organized into three chapters. Chapter I, Past Masters, discusses the politics of textbook publishing, the influence of large adoption units, and the book from which a majority of American…