A Conflicted Idea of America

A Conflicted Idea of America

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore. W. W. Norton, 2018. Hardcover, 960 pages, $40. Part One: The Idea (1492–1799) Reviewed by Craig Bruce Smith “The United States is founded on a set of ideas,” says eminent historian Jill Lepore in the opening...
A Conflicted Idea of America

What Hath Lepore Wrought

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore. W. W. Norton, 2018. Hardcover, 960 pages, $40. Part Two, The People (1800–1865) Reviewed by Daniel N. Gullotta Sweeping histories of the United States by a single scholar always worry me. This is not to say...
A Conflicted Idea of America

Citizenship and the Fitful History of the American Way

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore. W. W. Norton, 2018. Hardcover, 960 pages, $40. Part Three, The State (1866–1945) Reviewed by Robert Greene II The rationale for Jill Lepore’s attempt at a new, fresh national narrative, These Truths, can be...
A Conflicted Idea of America

Recent Domestic History

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore. W. W. Norton, 2018. Hardcover, 960 pages, $40. Part Four, The Machine (1946–2016) Reviewed by Lauren F. Turek Historian Jill Lepore opens her sweeping, synthetic overview of United States history with an...
Best of Bacevich

Best of Bacevich

Twilight of the American Century By Andrew J. Bacevich. University of Notre Dame Press, 2018. Paper, 469 pages, $25. Reviewed by Mark G. Brennan I read everything written by Andrew Bacevich with a maniacal obsession. His work provides a glimmer of hope for a return to...