Overview

Of the People: A History of the United States does more than tell the history of America-of its people and places, of its dealings and ideals. It unfolds the story of American democracy, carefully marking how this country's evolution has been anything but certain, from its complex beginnings to its modern challenges. The authors see American history as a story ""of the people,"" of their struggles to shape their lives and their land. Their narrative focuses on the social and political lives of people-some famous, some ordinary-revealing the compelling story of America's democracy from an individual perspective, from across the landscapes of diverse communities, and ultimately from within the larger context of the world.The theme of democracy concentrates attention on the most fundamental concerns of history: people and power. These concerns have been especially relevant as the authors completed revising the book for this new edition in the midst of the 2024 presidential election campaign, one of the most divisive in modern American history. Recent history is always a challenge and always subject to revision, but the authors show how contemporary struggles over democracy are rooted in the past. Their balanced, inclusive approach makes it more possible for teachers and students to deal with the most controversial events.

Full Product Details

9780197798805

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Of the People is a very usable book for students because of its conciseness and organization, plus the inclusion of sources. It's easy to grasp, well-organized, and straightforward.”- Lauren MacIvor Thompson, Kennesaw State University “Of the People flows well with the timing of how I teach. One of the things I like about the text is that it actually takes the time to explain the colonial era and the lead-up to the American Revolution in detail. The writing is perfectly accessible, and I like the frequent subject breaks, which help students focus and provide plenty of places where they can stop and return.”- Tim Buckner, Troy University “Of the People is a comprehensive and well-crafted textbook. The authors demonstrate a commendable breadth of coverage, addressing a wide array of topics that collectively paint a well-rounded picture of the historical period.”- Joseph Camisa, Bismarck State College

Author Information

Michael McGerr is Paul V. McNutt Professor of History at Indiana University-Bloomington. Camilla Townsend is Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University. Karen M. Dunak is Associate Professor of History at Muskingum University. Mark Summers is Thomas D. Clark Professor of History at the University of Kentucky. Jan Ellen Lewis was Professor of History and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-Newark.

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