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The Story of America
Essays on Origins
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See moreOffers an account of the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to Barack Obama's 2009 inaugural address - to show how American democracy is bound up with the history of print. Part civics primer, part cultural history, this title excavates the origins of everything from the paper ballot and the Constitution to the I O U and the dictionary.
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Description
In The Story of America, Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore investigates American origin stories—from John Smith's account of the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to Barack Obama's 2009 inaugural address—to show how American democracy is bound up with the history of print.
Over the centuries, Americans have read and written their way into a political culture of ink and type. Part civics primer, part cultural history, The Story of America excavates the origins of everything from the paper ballot and the Constitution to the I.O.U. and the dictionary.
Along the way, it presents fresh readings of Benjamin Franklin's Way to Wealth, Thomas Paine's Common Sense, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, and "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as well as histories of lesser-known genres, including biographies of presidents, novels of immigrants, and accounts of the Depression.
From past to present, Lepore argues, Americans have wrestled with the idea of democracy by telling stories. In this thoughtful and provocative book, Lepore offers at once a history of origin stories and a meditation on storytelling itself.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Jill Lepore's The Story of America has garnered praise for its insightful essays exploring American history through narrative creation, combining historical analysis with literary elegance. Critics highlight Lepore's engaging prose and unique ability to weave together well-known and obscure historical figures, challenging prevailing narratives by dissecting the intersections of history, politics, and culture. Recognised for its intellectual depth and entertainment value, the book encourages readers to rethink traditional American historiography, making it both enlightening and enjoyable for history enthusiasts.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691159591
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 27 October 2013
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education
DIMENSIONS
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 482g
Pages: 432
About the Author
Jill Lepore is the David Woods Kemper '41 Professor of American History at Harvard University and a staff writer at the "New Yorker". Her books include "The Mansion of Happiness", "The Whites of Their Eyes" (Princeton), and "Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin".
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