How many history books it takes to be more knowledgeable than a secondary school graduate?

I thought about it and I think 5 carefully chosen history books would give me more knowledge than all the history that a secondary school student obtained in his 6-5 years of formal learning.

So why is that subject compulsory in schools?

Well seconday school is more than history,

But to be honest, secondary schools come in many different specializations and average levels and students within those institutions also have widely different levels of knowledge, skills and interests.

So i don't think there is an answer to that question, even if you were to narrow the field to secondary schools graduates' history knowledge.

That's a very broad subject and question. In short, yes and no.

When I took history in university the professor would have a seminar topic followed by required readings, suggested & additional. It was usually parts of various books that dealt with the subject.

Each reading was different some contradictory. The professor did this on purpose to spark rational discussion.

Something university no longer does. These days they teach you confirmation bias only researching what you like and trying to cancel everything you don’t. Calling people alt right etc its very sad situation many users here fall into thus category.

As for history remember it’s written by the victors. Also its biased based on the country. I spoke to Russians and Lebanese about historical battles compared to my teachings theres was totally different.