James W. Loewen
Historian & Critic of Textbook Bias
Author of "Lies My Teacher Told Me"
About James Loewen
- American sociologist, historian, and author (1942–2021).
- Best known for challenging misconceptions in American history education.
- Wrote extensively on race, class, and the presentation of history in schools.
Major Works
- Lies My Teacher Told Me (1995): Critiques how U.S. history textbooks distort or omit important facts.
- Lies Across America (1999): Examines historical markers and monuments for misinformation.
- Teaching What Really Happened (2010): Guides educators in honest historical instruction.
Key Ideas About Textbooks
Textbooks often omit uncomfortable truths about slavery, racism, and inequality in US history.
Textbooks encourage a "feel-good" narrative, promoting myths rather than critical thinking.
Loewen advocated for honest, nuanced history teaching that empowers students to question and analyze.