In thirty interrelated essays, eminent Pulitzer Prize-winning historian explores the hidden history of America and the secret pitfalls and virtues of American democracy

Reviews

In his 70s, Boorstin recently retired as Librarian of Congress, a position that he had held since 1975 that capped his career as one of America's eminent historians. In this collection of essays the author of The Discovers and the trilogy The Americans writes with the breadth and vitality that mark all his books. His title has deliberate meaning: Boorstin implies the historian's need to probe socio-political patterns from philosophical and uncliched angles. Here he recaptures his "historical adventures," ranging from a study of the historian's discipline (his insight into Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire as an "intimate" work is rich and subtle) through a look at America as a "By-Product Nation" not greatly driven by theories, but rather formed by action under stress (he sees FDR's four-term presidency as an example). And finally, a series of segments from his writingspresent his views of America's "unsung" political experiments. Boorstin's closing emphasis on our unacknowledged dominance by the "kingdom of the Machine" leads readers to hope for his further expansion of this theme.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

New Legacy Books, LLC
59 Asbury Road, Hackettstown, NJ, 07840, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Shipping Terms

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	3 to 6 business days	3 to 5 business days
First item	US$ 2.49	US$ 19.98

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.