Despite our creation myth, the story of America can be legitimately explained as one motherfucker after another chopping down the cherry tree and not copping to it. Along with metaphorical trees, millions of Indians, blacks, Latinos, Asians, dissidents, free thinkers – and citizens of other nations – were bugled to Jesus because of an ax-wielding Uncle Sam in pursuit of power. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick have written The Untold History of the United States (Gallery Books), a companion volume to Stone’s upcoming Showtime series. While its sweeping title is misleading – it’s almost entirely about the last 100 years of red, white and blue bullying – at 600-plus pages it’s a reminder that when America fucks up, Americans should acknowledge it. Some turf is familiar for those paying attention, but the authors also reveal rarely discussed twistory, including details of the reactionary maligning of FDR’s progressive veep Henry Wallace that changed our country’s direction for the worse. Stone will talk about those cherry trees tonight. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Fri., Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; free, book is $30. (310) 659-3110, www.booksoup.com.

Fri., Nov. 2, 7 p.m., 2012

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