America: Forge of Freedom. Volume One: To 1865

America: Forge of Freedom covers the period of American prehistory through 2008. Volume 1 starts with the first Americans and Native American life and culture, and continues all the way through the events of the Civil War. Volume 2 picks up where Volume 1 left off starting with Reconstruction and continues through modern times. Includes review questions for the student at the end of each chapter.

This is an unusual book for a few reasons. First, it presents history from a Catholic perspective. This means that the events in the book are gauged by the effect they have on the Church and society from a focus of Catholic moral and social teachings. Thus, the legalization of abortion abortion and the institution of slavery can only be seen as inherently immoral. While other histories or historians may view such acts as morally neutral, the Catholic historian cannot.

Additionally, the book tends to emphasize the role of Catholics and the Catholic Church in America. This is not to say that major events are ignored, but perhaps other less significant events, that secular historians might feel are of greater consequence, are covered to a lesser extent.