An APUSH Reading List to Help You on the Exam

Jul 21

As a seasoned APUSH veteran, I return to the curriculum to help future warriors retain the dreadful flood of American history. Reading fiction proved to be the most effective studying method. Sister Carrie, though not a book you’ll see on the curriculum’s reading list, played a key role in my knowledge of nineteenth century Chicago. During the exam, I connected the railroad workers’ protest with Hurstwood’s involvement in the strike. A period of history I was never particularly interested in, ingrained in my memory, thanks to character development and the beautiful language of Theodore Dresier.

Below you’ll find a long and diverse list of fictional (and a sprinkling of historically significant novels you will find in the curriculum) works to read during your year(s) of AP US History. These works either belong to or are reminiscent of their respective time periods.

Period One: 1491–1607