AMERICAN HISTORY
Sm,—Mr. Gloag's letter is very pertinent. It is possible, howe\ e. that those for whom American history is a new field may fir. The Epic of America pretty hard going in view of its personi approach and rather packed and allusive style. As an introducti to the subject and an irresistible invitation to further study, it would be hard to 'find anything better than The Rise of American Chili tion, by Charles and Mary Beard. Those who wish to bring tlx story right down to the Roosevelt era will want to read its sequel: America in Midpassage. It is true that the aggressive isolationism d the authors may not be wholly palatable to English readers and thn it demands some suitable balance. Nevertheless, nothing is to lx gained by overlooking the fact that it is possible to be distinct] " progressive " by American standards and yet to have an outlook on recent history far removed from our own.
It is important, too, to stress that the adequacy and enthusiasm d the teaching will be as significant as the choice of books. It is to lx hoped that the new generations of history-teachers being turned out by our universities will, unlike their predecessors, have been giv a groundwork in American history. For this and other reasons it worth remembering that there is as much room for improvement this respect in the universities as there is in the schools. Hardly or, of our universities make American history a normal part of th required studies for a history-degree. Where facilities for its study exist they are extremely exiguous. Only London and Oxford hart yet considered the subject worthy of a professorial chair. It must a. seem very odd to our American friends. No doubt efforts are being made to remedy this in spite of the fact that. the universities art very hard hit by other and even more urgent demands on their tint and personnel. Nothing, however, could excuse inaction. Surely the universities which boast of their autonomy and which recognise it external " Board " will show themselves no less adaptable to tea demands than the bureaucracy of Whitehall.—I am, Sir, yours vet'
Manchester University, Manchester, rs.
Previous page
