CRF Publishing LLC releases "American History: Echoes of the Past", addressing inaccuracies in American history education. The book is suitable for teachers and professors seeking factually grounded resources to correct widespread myths about Columbus, Indigenous populations, and Reconstruction.
-- In the modern era of "fake news" and "alternative facts", this new book from author Constance Foster seeks to reinstate a factual account of the nation's history, give voice to marginalized people, and outline methodology around identifying bias in media both current and historical. A reciprocal relationship exists between truth about the past and justice in the present: when educators teach accurate history, students develop the critical thinking and civic engagement necessary for democratic participation.
More information is available at https://greatbookscrfpublishing.info
Only 13% of eighth graders scored proficient or advanced on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) U.S. History assessment, revealing a systemic crisis in historical literacy that extends beyond K-12 classrooms. Previous studies by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni found that college graduates demonstrated discouraging knowledge of basic historical facts and concepts, showing little improvement since 1999. CRF Publishing responds to this documented educational gap with Forster's book, designed specifically for those seeking factually grounded resources to correct widespread inaccuracies embedded in standard curricula.
The root of this deficiency, explains CRF Publishing, lies in what historian James W. Loewen identified as the "myth of unrelenting progress" pervading American history education. After examining 12 widely adopted textbooks, Loewen documented how publisher incentives and state adoption policies—particularly Texas's statewide influence over content—perpetuate foundational inaccuracies. Common examples include the Columbus discovery narrative, severe underestimation of Indigenous populations, and sanitized portrayals of Reconstruction that obscure the period's actual political dynamics and racial violence.
These distortions carry consequences beyond the classroom, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and systemic biases that hinder efforts to build equitable and inclusive societies. Standard textbooks often mischaracterize the period from 1890 to 1940, framing Jim Crow as a regional Southern issue while omitting nationwide discrimination, including the Wounded Knee massacre, North Dakota's anti-miscegenation laws, and Harvard University's expulsion of Black students from dormitories. When educators lack access to accurate resources, students inherit narratives that obscure national complicity in racial oppression.
CRF Publishing's new book directly challenges these commonly accepted myths with documented facts. The publication addresses specific inaccuracies, including Columbus's role in initiating the transatlantic slave trade, estimates of Indigenous populations inhabiting the Americas before European contact (ranging from 50 to 100 million according to various scholars), economic motivations behind the American Revolution, and the true causes of Confederate secession. Unlike standard textbooks that soften uncomfortable truths to avoid controversy, Foster prioritizes factual accuracy over appeasing narrative, aligning her writing with educator needs to provide students with robust, research-backed historical content.
History teachers and professors face institutional pressures from textbook adoption policies and state mandates that limit their ability to teach accurate narratives. Historian Richard Shenkman observed that many historical inaccuracies stem from "spin" rather than outright falsehoods, making it difficult for educators to distinguish fact from distortion without accessible corrective tools. CRF's book serves as a supplementary resource empowering teachers to introduce corrected narratives despite systemic constraints, offering an alternative to politically influenced adoption committees.
The book employs a debunking format with clear evidence and transparent sourcing, structured to support classroom integration. Harvard historian Jill Lepore noted that while many factual books exist, educators need guidance on trustworthiness—a need CRF addresses through verifiable scholarship and accessible yet rigorous language. Teachers can incorporate the resource into existing curricula as supplementary reading or use it to design lessons that develop students' critical thinking about historical sources and narratives.
Educators, and those interested in discovering a factually accurate history of America, can access Foster's book at https://a.co/d/hsEnhS2
Contact Info:
Name: Constance Foster
Email: Send Email
Organization: CRF Publishing LLC
Address: 149 Irving Ave, Somerset, Massachusetts 02726, United States
Website: https://greatbookscrf.com
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89183439
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