The manner of reading the best history should be: R. D. G.
[152] Green's "History of the English People" has probably the first claims on the general reader. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[153] Bancroft's "History of the United States" should be read by every American citizen, along with Dr. Strong's "Our Country." (U. S., 19th cent.) The only trouble with Bancroft is that he does not bring the history down to recent times. Hildreth for the student, and Ridpath for practical business men supply this defect. Doyle's "History of the United States" is perhaps the best small book, and his "American Colonies" is also good. McMaster's "History of the People of the United States" is a brilliant work, given largely to an account of the social life of the people.
[154] Guizot's "History of Civilization" and "History of France" (France, 19th cent.) are among the greatest books of the world; and with Buckle's "History of Civilization" (Eng., 19th cent.) will give a careful reader an intellectual breadth and training far above what is attained by the majority even of reading men.
[155] Parkman is the Macaulay of the New World. He invests the truths of sober history with all the charms of poetic imagination and graceful style. His literary work must take its place by the side of Scott and Irving. Read his "France and England in North America," "Conspiracy of Pontiac," and "The Oregon Trail."
Freeman, Fiske, and Fyffe are also great historians, who require notice here. Freeman's "Comparative Politics," "History of the Saracens," "Growth of the English Constitution," "History of Federal Government," and "General Sketch of History" are all great works,—the last being the best brief account of general history that we possess. (Eng., 19th cent.)
Fiske's "Civil Government," "War of Independence," and "Critical Period of American History" are standard books. (U. S., 19th cent.)
Fyffe's "Modern Europe" is called the most brilliant picture of the Revolutionary Period in existence. It is certainly one of the best of histories.
[155a] "Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World." (Eng., 19th cent.)