If you understand these rules, you can figure out what the questions will be. You will do much better on the exam if you study the text looking for the questions that are likely to be on the test. These facts are in the text, but they are not terribly important. Dr. Mehler wants you to know how find out such information, but he doesn't expect you to memorize lots of little facts and dates. Much more important is the significance of events.
Most books have a thesis or main idea which can be summed up in a couple of sentences.
There are probably thousands of books on the Kennedy assassination. One book might argue that Castro was behind the plot. Another might argue that it was the Mafia. Takaki, too has a thesis and it your job to look for it. It may take some time and discussion to understand his thesis.