A Renegade History of the United States

Russell argues that American freedoms were won less by reformers than by the people respectable society disapproved of — prostitutes, drunks, slaves who refused to work, immigrants who would not assimilate.

Why it’s on the list: Named in the “best history book” thread, where the reply also credited the author by handle. A deliberately contrarian social history, useful mainly as a counterweight.

Where I saw it: In Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note, recovered from the reply thread to @typesfast asking “What’s the best history book you’ve read?” (June 5, 2025). The full recovered list lives on What’s the best history book… (tweet).

Connections

• What’s the best history book… (tweet) — the thread this came out of; the full recovered list lives there.