Schama inside history - Rated 
Having recently read David Reynold's excellent America: Empire of Liberty and Paul Johnson's comprehensive History of the American People - I did not think there was that much anyone could add. But Simon Schama's immense skill as a writer and historian suffuses the subject with freshness and originality. Weaving lived histories with significant events in American history - Schama breathes life into the characters and events, analysing momentus occasions and adding his own considerable insights into a subject he cleary has consummate knowledge of.
Familiar events such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement are viewed through the lived histories of characters that were there to witness history unfolding - and Schama brilliantly uses letters and diaries to create a real sense of immanence and urgency - rather than just rehashing other historical accounts.
The causes and effects of these epoch changing events, clearly illustrate how America has been shaped - and Schama frequently jumps to the present to address issues that have been ongoing problems in the country - such as immigration. A question he puts to George W Bush at a Downing Street dinner. That is the strength of this book and the main difference between Schama's work and the others. It is not a linear historical narrative - sometimes the writing has the kind of authority of a witness to the events, and at times reads like a novel.
I think Schama's book is written in a very immaginative way that few writers would have dared attempt - moving backwards and forwards through history and the present. But this style allows you to view the history from a different perspective. I highly recommend The American Future.America, Empire of Liberty: A New HistoryHistory of the American PeopleDivine Magnetic Lands: A Journey in AmericaMade in AmericaThe First Salute: View of the American Revolution
An excellent, entertaining read... - Rated
This isn't so much of a history of America as it is a history of how Americans view the future. Perhaps of all countries America has always been the most progressive and forward-looking, not in the usual liberal sense of the words, but in the sense of moving forward, seeing what's next. The most obvious example of this is the exploring of the West and Manifest Destiny. Obviously this spirit of pushing forwards, pushing out has casualties, and this book explores that particularly well - the cataclysm of the Civil War, the nativist backlash to immigration, the betrayal of American principles with the Mexican war, the genocide of the Native Americans. Schama writes wonderfully well; he has a very witty, wry tone, and this is an excellent read, albeit a little fragmented.
Understanding America - Rated 
If you want to understand the USA, this book is for you. It is not a conventional chronological history: Shama's approach is thematic, with sections on war, religion, immigration and the myth of plenty, interwoven with personal observations about America today. He also vividly focuses on the lives of some not-so-famous individuals who are also fascinating embodiments of aspects of this very complex country. Highly recommended.
Fascinating, well written, history of the growth of America - Rated
Simon Schama provides a detailed account of the development of society in the USA. He provides detail of how today's American social and political beliefs developed and how the race for the 2008 presidential nomination is the culmination of 200 years of growth. A readable page turner of interest to anyone with curiosity.
Very disappointing - Rated 
Having loved Schama's History of Britain and enjoyed the TV series upon which this American history is based, I was very much looking forward to reading this book.
Sadly, however, it is barely readable. A ragged jumble of prose seems to require a detailed understanding of the protagonists and events being discussed to make any sense of what is being described.
This is not the book for a newcomer to American history. It seems to be to be a colour commentary on events. I knew not to expect an ABC of US history but I could certainly have done with more context and a more linear structure to make it more accessible.
The British History books jumped around a little but they had a much greater narrative drive then this. Schama's greatest failing in this book is that he bores, and that's inexcusable.
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