Matt B Gets Lit reviewed Myth America by Julian E. Zelizer
Review of "Myth America"
3 stars
As someone who enjoys U.S. history, "Myth America" seemed like it would be right up my alley—a book that critically examines the myths and misinformation that have shaped popular narratives about our past. And to be fair, the content is important, well-researched, and undeniably relevant in today's world.
However, I’m just gonna say it: this book was BORING.
This is not a casual read.
I didn’t realize when I reserved it that it’s a collection of academic essays, and it absolutely reads like one. The writing is dense, making it feel more like a textbook than a book for general audiences. I actually put this book down twice to finish other books because I just couldn't get through it all in one go. One chapter—about the Southern Strategy—was so dry that I found myself reading page after page without absorbing a single word. Eventually, I did something I never do: …
As someone who enjoys U.S. history, "Myth America" seemed like it would be right up my alley—a book that critically examines the myths and misinformation that have shaped popular narratives about our past. And to be fair, the content is important, well-researched, and undeniably relevant in today's world.
However, I’m just gonna say it: this book was BORING.
This is not a casual read.
I didn’t realize when I reserved it that it’s a collection of academic essays, and it absolutely reads like one. The writing is dense, making it feel more like a textbook than a book for general audiences. I actually put this book down twice to finish other books because I just couldn't get through it all in one go. One chapter—about the Southern Strategy—was so dry that I found myself reading page after page without absorbing a single word. Eventually, I did something I never do: I skipped the chapter. "The book police aren’t going to come get you," I told myself. Still, I’m trusting you all with this, and I’ll plead the 5th if you rat me out.
Another frustration was how some essays tackled "myths" I wasn’t even aware existed. For example, one chapter examines the "myth" that Federalist No. 10 is the key Federalist essay. Wait… who is arguing this? That chapter, like a few others, assumed a level of familiarity with academic debates that I just didn’t have, which made some sections feel completely disconnected from a reader with a mild interest in history like myself.
That said, there were essays I did appreciate. One that stood out explored how we sanitize past protests, particularly regarding the Civil Rights Movement. It challenged the way MLK is now treated as a universally beloved figure, when in reality, he faced intense opposition in his time. That chapter effectively demonstrated how rewriting history can diminish the struggle that made those achievements so significant in the first place.
Overall, "Myth America" is an impressive academic work, but it’s not an accessible one. This is a book to study, not just to read. And while I don’t regret finishing it, I do kind of regret starting it—only because I think I could have found a more engaging book that covers similar ground. If you’re deeply invested in academic history, you might get a lot out of this. But if you’re looking for something more digestible, you might be better off elsewhere.
