Books Like...
"American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America" by Colin Woodard is a comprehensive exploration of the regional cultures that have shaped North America since the 18th century. Woodard divides North America into 11 ethnocultural nations, each with its own unique origins and characteristics, providing a different perspective on American history. The book delves into the historical development of these nations, their alliances, conflicts, and how they have influenced the political landscape of the United States. Woodard's writing style is informative and thought-provoking, offering insights into the complexities of American history and the ongoing impact of these regional cultures.
If you liked American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, here are the top 100 books to read next:
'White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America' by Nancy Isenberg delves into the history of class conflict in America, examining the lives and societal perceptions of lower-class whites from the early settlers to the present day. Isenberg challenges the notion of America as a classless society, highlighting how class distinctions have shaped every aspect of American life. Through detailed research and analysis, the author uncovers the stigmatization and institutionalization of the poor by the original settlers and landowners, shedding light on a history often overlooked in traditional narratives.
In the minds of literate English men and women, as colonization began in the 1500s, North America was an uncertain world inhabited by monstrous creatures, a blank territory skirted by mountains of gol...- #2
Save:Arlie Russell Hochschild, a sociologist from UC Berkeley, delves into the world of conservative right-wing individuals in Louisiana, aiming to understand their beliefs and deep stories. Through her immersive research, she uncovers the resentment, anger, and feelings of being left behind that drive the political ideologies of Tea Party members and Trump supporters. The book explores the paradox of individuals in a heavily polluted state vehemently opposing environmental protection measures, shedding light on the emotional and ideological factors that shape their views on politics and society.
When I began this research five years ago, I was becoming alarmed at the increasingly hostile split in our nation between two political camps. To many on the left, the Republican Party and Fox News se... 'What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815 - 1848' by Daniel Walker Howe is a comprehensive examination of one of the most extraordinary periods of American history. The book covers the technological, intellectual, cultural, political, military, and religious developments between 1815 and 1848. Howe provides a detailed account of various topics including Indian removal, slavery, women's rights, political movements, and social events, offering a richly detailed narrative that brings this era to life. The book is praised for its broad coverage of the political, economic, military, and cultural histories of the period, as well as its engaging writing style that makes the content accessible to non-academic readers.
In the thirty-three years following the Battle of New Orleans, the United States would extend its imperial reach across a continent vast, diverse, and already inhabited. The history of the United Stat...'Faith in Fakes: Travels in Hyperreality' by Umberto Eco is a collection of essays that delve into various topics such as semiotics, propaganda, literature, sports media, culture, and postmodernist discourse. The essays cover a wide range of subjects, from the nature of power and the use of propaganda to control populations, to the analysis of movies like 'Casablanca' and the examination of societal norms and cultural trends.
Eco's writing style is described as witty, insightful, and thought-provoking, offering a mix of intellectual ponderings, sharp observations, and critiques on various aspects of society. is noted for its thorough examination of societal issues, its valuable insights into different cultural phenomena, and its ability to challenge readers to think critically about language, power, and meaning.
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Save:'Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation' by Kristin Kobes Du Mez delves into the history of evangelical culture in America, exploring the roots of Christian nationalism, toxic masculinity, and political activism within the white evangelical population. Through a meticulous analysis, Du Mez connects the dots between the evangelical support for figures like Donald Trump and the influence of male leadership in shaping both the Church and the political realm. highlights how the evangelical community's emphasis on aggressive masculinity and Christian nationalism paved the way for the rise of figures like Trump, ultimately fracturing the nation along cultural and ideological lines.
The author, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, presents a well-researched and nuanced account of the religious right in America, tracing back decades of history to uncover the role of gender ideologies in laying the groundwork for Trumpism. Through a critical examination of evangelical culture, Du Mez sheds light on the deep-seated patriarchal values that have influenced everything from Biblical interpretations to political movements within the white evangelical community. By dissecting key figures and movements, the book offers a compelling narrative that unravels the complex relationship between evangelicalism, masculinity, and American culture, ultimately providing readers with a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the nation's political landscape.
THE PATH THAT ENDS WITH JOHN WAYNE AS AN icon of Christian masculinity is strewn with a colorful cast of characters, from the original cowboy president to a baseball-player-turned-preacher to a singin... '1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created' by Charles C. Mann is a sequel to '1491' that delves into the global effects of the Columbian Exchange post Columbus's voyages to the Americas. Mann covers the massive changes in diet, crops, plants, animals, pests, diseases, and ideas around the world brought about by the new global trade interactions. The book is well researched and filled with fascinating information about the intertwining of different cultures and ecosystems due to the exchange of goods and people across continents.
Mann's writing style in '1493' is described as clear, engaging, and well-organized, providing readers with a comprehensive look at the aftermath of European discovery of the Americas. The author weaves together biology, agriculture, anthropology, warfare, ecology, and economics to tell a consistently interesting story about the impact of the Columbian Exchange on shaping the modern world civilization, making readers rethink their understanding of global history and its long-lasting effects.
It is just possible that John Rolfe was responsible for the worms. Earthworms, to be precise—the common nightcrawler and the red marsh worm, creatures that did not exist in the Americas before 1492. R...- #7
Save:'Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America' by David Hackett Fischer explores the cultural impact of four waves of British immigration to the US, covering puritans in New England, cavaliers and tenant farmers in the Chesapeake Bay, Quakers in the Delaware region, and borderers in the backcountry. The book delves into how these distinct cultures have influenced and continue to shape the American character and societal conflicts. Fischer's writing style is lauded for being both scholarly and engaging, bringing historical anecdotes to life and providing a thorough examination of the British subcultures that played a pivotal role in shaping America.
THIS BOOK is the first in a series, which will hopefully comprise a cultural history of the United States. It is cultural in an anthropological rather than an aesthetic sense—a history of American fol... 'The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism' by Ayn Rand presents a collection of essays on Objectivism and rational selfishness. The writing style is described as thought-provoking and clear, focusing on themes such as ethics, self-interest, and individualism. challenges conventional wisdom on altruism and advocates for living for one's own sake, not sacrificing oneself for others nor sacrificing others for oneself.
“Through centuries of scourges and disasters, brought /about by your code of morality, you have cried that your code had been broken, that the scourges were punishment for breaking it, that men were t...'The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America' by George Packer is a narrative journey over the past 30 years of economic and social history in America. Packer weaves together the stories of various individuals to showcase the changes in American society, highlighting winners and losers, and how society has evolved over the years. The book delves into the impact of globalization, reactionary government policies, income inequality, and the concentration of power and wealth in fewer hands, painting a raw and intimate portrait of the struggles faced by ordinary Americans.
Packer's writing style in 'The Unwinding' is reminiscent of John Dos Passos's experimental novels, where he combines real people's stories with newspaper clippings to create a novel-like narrative. The book reads like a story, immersing the reader in the characters' lives and evoking emotions of anger, despair, and hope as it explores the societal changes that have led to the current state of America.
I want to have a frank talk with you tonight about our most serious domestic problem. That problem is inflation.… twenty-twenty-twenty-four hours to go / I wanna be sedated … We must face a time of na...Eric Foner's "Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877" is a comprehensive examination of the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The book delves into the political, social, and economic complexities of the time period, highlighting the struggles faced by freed slaves, the violence against black Americans, and the failure of Reconstruction to bring about lasting change. Foner's writing style is detailed and thorough, drawing on extensive research to provide a nuanced understanding of the historical events and their impact on American society.
ON January 1, 1863, after a winter storm swept up the east coast of the United States, the sun rose in a cloudless sky over Washington, D.C. At the White House, Abraham Lincoln spent most of the day w...
