Chapter 13 Discussion Questions 1.) How did you find Loewen’s assertion that research shows the educated are more in favour of aggressive foreign policy? Do you believe that is currently the case; i.e. are the educated more likely to conform their policy positions to those of the currently ruling g...

Chapter 12 Discussion Questions 1.) Loewen poses the question as to whom textbooks are trying to please and then offers a number of possible responses and their fallacies. To whom do you believe textbooks are marketed? Is it effective? Is marketing and economic demand a good metric for quality text...

Chapter 11 Discussion 1.) Are history classes appropriate places to discuss how to change the world? Since time immemorial we have all been inculcated to believe those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, so if not in a history class, then where? Does history provide the necessary clues ...

Chapter 10 Discussion Questions 1.) Loewen suggests the fact that historical interpretations change over time is vitally important to a good understanding of history, especially recent history. Do you agree? What major events in US and world history have had major interpretation changes since the e...

Chapter 9 Discussion Questions 1.) In violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the US treated Vietnamese civilians as enemy combatants in the war. Do you feel the American people learning of this violation was the turning point in public opinion against the war? Why or why not? Is this even the m...

Chapter 8 Discussion Questions 1.) How much do you believe the US government has changed since its inception in 1789? Loewen makes it clear he feels the change has been huge, but unremarked by high school history texts; why do you feel there is a drive to maintain the fantasy/reality of the unchang...

Chapter 7 Discussion Questions 1.) Chapter 7 centres mostly around a couple of ideas, one of which is the meritocracy — the idea that working hard is what gets you ahead in life or a society. Is the meritocracy a myth in the US? What about other post-industrial countries? If it’s gone, do you think...

Chapter 6 Discussion Questions 1.) I have no recollection of having heard of John Brown from my high school history courses. Did you? What did you learn about him? Loewen makes him sound rather important and the moral crux of the arguments surrounding the American Civil War, but who was he? Is the ...

Chapter 5: Gone With the Wind Discussion Questions 1. The “Negro Problem” is signalled by Loewen to actually be a “White Problem” wherein the true causes of the failure of Southern Reconstruction go unexamined. In the previous chapter, we could extrapolate the theme to centre around an “Indian Probl...

I thought the next book discussion wouldn't start until May. :( I thought the options offered for the current discussion that didn't get picked were pretty good. Besides those, I was personally eyeing: 1. Capital in the 21st Century by Piketty 2. Making of the Atomic Bomb by Rhodes 3. Endless Forms ...