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The Big Change
by Frederick Lewis Allen • 1952
America went from farmers to superpower in fifty years: the metamorphosis that reshaped its soul.
3.95
243
The Big Change Summary
The Big Change 89%
America went from farmers to superpower in fifty years: the metamorphosis that reshaped its soul.
by Frederick Lewis Allen 1952
3.95
243 ratings
Hattie Ever After
by Kirby Larson • 2013
An orphan arrives in 1919 San Francisco chasing one fierce dream: a newspaper byline of her own.
3.82
5k+
Hattie Ever After Summary
Hattie Ever After 89%
An orphan arrives in 1919 San Francisco chasing one fierce dream: a newspaper byline of her own.
by Kirby Larson 2013
3.82
5k+ ratings
Ragtime
by E.L. Doctorow • 1975
A wealthy family shelters a black woman, then faces her lover's armed fight for dignity.
3.90
47k+
Ragtime Summary
Ragtime 88%
A wealthy family shelters a black woman, then faces her lover's armed fight for dignity.
by E.L. Doctorow 1975
3.90
47k+ ratings
American Midnight
by Adam Hochschild • 2022
The war fought to secure democracy abroad nearly destroyed it at home, and America forgot.
4.20
5k+
American Midnight Summary
American Midnight 88%
The war fought to secure democracy abroad nearly destroyed it at home, and America forgot.
by Adam Hochschild 2022
4.20
5k+ ratings
The Populist Vision
by Charles Postel • 2007
Populists weren't anti-modern. They demanded public railroads, corporate-scale farms, and Jim Crow.
3.65
201
The Populist Vision Summary
The Populist Vision 88%
Populists weren't anti-modern. They demanded public railroads, corporate-scale farms, and Jim Crow.
by Charles Postel 2007
3.65
201 ratings
Nothing Like It in the World
by Stephen E. Ambrose • 2000
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
3.99
14k+
Nothing Like It in the World Summary
Nothing Like It in the World 87%
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
by Stephen E. Ambrose 2000
3.99
14k+ ratings
The Stoic
by Theodore Dreiser • 1947
His empire crumbling, an American financier stakes everything on London and a much younger muse.
4.35
3k+
The Stoic Summary
The Stoic 87%
His empire crumbling, an American financier stakes everything on London and a much younger muse.
by Theodore Dreiser 1947
4.35
3k+ ratings
The Plot to Seize the White House
by Jules Archer • 1973
Wall Street plotted a fascist coup against FDR. The general they recruited was the wrong man.
4.03
974
The Plot to Seize the White House Summary
The Plot to Seize the White House 87%
Wall Street plotted a fascist coup against FDR. The general they recruited was the wrong man.
by Jules Archer 1973
4.03
974 ratings
Dear Mr. Kilmer
by Anne E. Schraff • 1999
An Iowa boy writes to poet Joyce Kilmer, then must defy his town's war-fueled prejudice.
3.96
272
Dear Mr. Kilmer Summary
Dear Mr. Kilmer 87%
An Iowa boy writes to poet Joyce Kilmer, then must defy his town's war-fueled prejudice.
by Anne E. Schraff 1999
3.96
272 ratings
The Making of American Exceptionalism
by Kim Voss • 1993
The Knights of Labor fell to an employer offensive, not infighting, and U.S. unions never recovered.
3.80
10
The Making of American Exceptionalism Summary
The Making of American Exceptionalism 87%
The Knights of Labor fell to an employer offensive, not infighting, and U.S. unions never recovered.
by Kim Voss 1993
3.80
10 ratings
The Given Day
by Dennis Lehane • 2008
An Irish cop and a Black fugitive collide in the Boston police strike of 1919.
4.08
29k+
The Given Day Summary
The Given Day 87%
An Irish cop and a Black fugitive collide in the Boston police strike of 1919.
by Dennis Lehane 2008
4.08
29k+ ratings
Progressivism
by Walter Nugent • 2009
The landmark Progressive Era reforms owed less to urban crusaders than to angry farmers.
3.48
125
Progressivism Summary
Progressivism 87%
The landmark Progressive Era reforms owed less to urban crusaders than to angry farmers.
by Walter Nugent 2009
3.48
125 ratings
WASPS
by Michael Knox Beran • 2021
The WASPs had everything except wholeness. Their long pursuit of it built America, then broke them.
3.46
126
WASPS Summary
WASPS 87%
The WASPs had everything except wholeness. Their long pursuit of it built America, then broke them.
by Michael Knox Beran 2021
3.46
126 ratings
Affairs of State
by Morton Keller • 1977
After the Civil War, the real fight was over how much government America would accept.
3.80
10
Affairs of State Summary
Affairs of State 87%
After the Civil War, the real fight was over how much government America would accept.
by Morton Keller 1977
3.80
10 ratings
The Fall of the House of Labor
by David Montgomery • 1987
Worker knowledge ran the factory floor. Management's fifty-year fight to seize it.
3.93
147
The Fall of the House of Labor Summary
The Fall of the House of Labor 87%
Worker knowledge ran the factory floor. Management's fifty-year fight to seize it.
by David Montgomery 1987
3.93
147 ratings
Freedom from Fear
by David M. Kennedy • 1999
How World War I's broken peace became the Depression, and World War II made modern America.
4.21
5k+
Freedom from Fear Summary
Freedom from Fear 87%
How World War I's broken peace became the Depression, and World War II made modern America.
by David M. Kennedy 1999
4.21
5k+ ratings
Martin Eden
by Jack London • 1909
A sailor meets a refined girl and destroys himself trying to become worthy of her love.
4.48
56k+
Martin Eden Summary
Martin Eden 87%
A sailor meets a refined girl and destroys himself trying to become worthy of her love.
by Jack London 1909
4.48
56k+ ratings
Railroaded
by Richard White • 2011
Corrupt, overbuilt, taxpayer-funded: the transcontinentals failed their way into modern America.
3.63
912
Railroaded Summary
Railroaded 87%
Corrupt, overbuilt, taxpayer-funded: the transcontinentals failed their way into modern America.
by Richard White 2011
3.63
912 ratings
The Day Wall Street Exploded
by Beverly Gage • 2008
Wall Street, 1920: thirty-eight dead, none caught. The failed investigation that built the FBI.
3.75
318
The Day Wall Street Exploded Summary
The Day Wall Street Exploded 87%
Wall Street, 1920: thirty-eight dead, none caught. The failed investigation that built the FBI.
by Beverly Gage 2008
3.75
318 ratings
Age of Betrayal
by Jack Beatty • 2007
The Civil War freed the slaves. The next generation freed the corporations.
3.66
142
Age of Betrayal Summary
Age of Betrayal 87%
The Civil War freed the slaves. The next generation freed the corporations.
by Jack Beatty 2007
3.66
142 ratings
All the Forgivenesses
by Elizabeth Hardinger • 2019
After her brother's drowning, a Kentucky farm girl grows up raising everyone but herself.
4.25
21k+
All the Forgivenesses Summary
All the Forgivenesses 87%
After her brother's drowning, a Kentucky farm girl grows up raising everyone but herself.
by Elizabeth Hardinger 2019
4.25
21k+ ratings
Law and the Shaping of the American Labor Movement
by William E. Forbath • 1989
American labor's early radicalism was crushed by a judge-made weapon, not conservative workers.
3.93
46
Law and the Shaping of the American Labor Movement Summary
Law and the Shaping of the American Labor Movement 87%
American labor's early radicalism was crushed by a judge-made weapon, not conservative workers.
by William E. Forbath 1989
3.93
46 ratings
The Republic for Which It Stands
by Richard White • 2017
America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.
4.16
2k+
The Republic for Which It Stands Summary
The Republic for Which It Stands 87%
America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.
by Richard White 2017
4.16
2k+ ratings
The Last Greatest Magician in the World
by Jim Steinmeyer • 2011
Howard Thurston built the modern magic show. Houdini just got remembered for it.
3.84
477
The Last Greatest Magician in the World Summary
The Last Greatest Magician in the World 87%
Howard Thurston built the modern magic show. Houdini just got remembered for it.
by Jim Steinmeyer 2011
3.84
477 ratings
The Political Economy of American Industrialization, 1877-1900
by Richard Franklin Bensel • 2000
How did Gilded Age democracy coexist with industrial capitalism? Tariffs, gold, and the courts.
3.50
22
The Political Economy of American Industrialization, 1877-1900 Summary
The Political Economy of American Industrialization, 1877-1900 86%
How did Gilded Age democracy coexist with industrial capitalism? Tariffs, gold, and the courts.
by Richard Franklin Bensel 2000
3.50
22 ratings
The Crisis of the Old Order 1919-33
by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. • 1957
An aristocrat's reluctant turn toward populism, set against the crash of an economic order.
4.19
455
The Crisis of the Old Order 1919-33 Summary
The Crisis of the Old Order 1919-33 86%
An aristocrat's reluctant turn toward populism, set against the crash of an economic order.
by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. 1957
4.19
455 ratings
Internal Improvement
by John Lauritz Larson • 2001
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
3.73
33
Internal Improvement Summary
Internal Improvement 86%
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
by John Lauritz Larson 2001
3.73
33 ratings
Mornings on Horseback
by David McCullough • 1981
A sickly rich boy remade his body, then lost his wife and mother on the same day.
4.10
36k+
Mornings on Horseback Summary
Mornings on Horseback 86%
A sickly rich boy remade his body, then lost his wife and mother on the same day.
by David McCullough 1981
4.10
36k+ ratings
The Black Hand
by Stephan Talty • 2017
One NYPD detective took on the Black Hand. His bosses barely cared if his people survived.
3.63
2k+
The Black Hand Summary
The Black Hand 86%
One NYPD detective took on the Black Hand. His bosses barely cared if his people survived.
by Stephan Talty 2017
3.63
2k+ ratings
Democracy and Social Ethics
by Jane Addams • 1902
Democracy is a social ethic requiring cross-class mixing and mutual understanding.
3.94
170
Democracy and Social Ethics Summary
Democracy and Social Ethics 86%
Democracy is a social ethic requiring cross-class mixing and mutual understanding.
by Jane Addams 1902
3.94
170 ratings
The Death of Reconstruction
by Heather Cox Richardson • 2001
The North's faith in free labor built Reconstruction, then provided the arguments to tear it down.
3.86
107
The Death of Reconstruction Summary
The Death of Reconstruction 86%
The North's faith in free labor built Reconstruction, then provided the arguments to tear it down.
by Heather Cox Richardson 2001
3.86
107 ratings
J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker
by J.R. MacGregor • 2019
He rescued American capitalism twice, so the government built the Federal Reserve to replace him.
3.87
143
J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker Summary
J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker 86%
He rescued American capitalism twice, so the government built the Federal Reserve to replace him.
by J.R. MacGregor 2019
3.87
143 ratings
The Devil in the White City
by Erik Larson • 2003
An architect builds a wonder. A doctor builds a hotel next door for murder. Chicago, 1893.
4.00
766k+
The Devil in the White City Summary
The Devil in the White City 86%
An architect builds a wonder. A doctor builds a hotel next door for murder. Chicago, 1893.
by Erik Larson 2003
4.00
766k+ ratings
Cold Sassy Tree
by Olive Ann Burns • 1984
A Georgia patriarch's hasty remarriage scandalizes the town, forcing his grandson to grow up fast.
4.02
106k+
Cold Sassy Tree Summary
Cold Sassy Tree 86%
A Georgia patriarch's hasty remarriage scandalizes the town, forcing his grandson to grow up fast.
by Olive Ann Burns 1984
4.02
106k+ ratings
The Second Coming of the KKK
by Linda Gordon • 2017
The 1920s Klan was a mass movement run like a franchise. Its immigration victory is still law.
3.82
1k+
The Second Coming of the KKK Summary
The Second Coming of the KKK 86%
The 1920s Klan was a mass movement run like a franchise. Its immigration victory is still law.
by Linda Gordon 2017
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Robber Barons
by Matthew Josephson • 1934
A handful of men seized America's railroads, oil, and steel; government helped them do it.
3.73
429
The Robber Barons Summary
The Robber Barons 86%
A handful of men seized America's railroads, oil, and steel; government helped them do it.
by Matthew Josephson 1934
3.73
429 ratings
American Crucible
by Gary Gerstle • 2001
Equal rights versus white identity: how America's two nationalisms have warred for a century.
3.82
246
American Crucible Summary
American Crucible 86%
Equal rights versus white identity: how America's two nationalisms have warred for a century.
by Gary Gerstle 2001
3.82
246 ratings
City of Girls
by Elizabeth Gilbert • 2019
Expelled from college, a seamstress discovers glamour and peril in her aunt's 1940s theater.
4.04
324k+
City of Girls Summary
City of Girls 86%
Expelled from college, a seamstress discovers glamour and peril in her aunt's 1940s theater.
by Elizabeth Gilbert 2019
4.04
324k+ ratings
The Great Bridge
by David McCullough • 1972
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
4.26
19k+
The Great Bridge Summary
The Great Bridge 86%
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
by David McCullough 1972
4.26
19k+ ratings
The Flamethrowers
by Rachel Kushner • 2013
A motorcyclist turns speed into art, then follows her Italian lover into his family's violent world.
3.51
25k+
The Flamethrowers Summary
The Flamethrowers 86%
A motorcyclist turns speed into art, then follows her Italian lover into his family's violent world.
by Rachel Kushner 2013
3.51
25k+ ratings
Oil!
by Upton Sinclair • 1926
An oil baron's son inherits a fortune, then meets the workers who paid for it.
3.74
7k+
Oil! Summary
Oil! 86%
An oil baron's son inherits a fortune, then meets the workers who paid for it.
by Upton Sinclair 1926
3.74
7k+ ratings
These United States
by Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore • 2015
For fifty years, equality won. Then inequality struck back. A century of America's unfinished fight.
3.75
111
These United States Summary
These United States 86%
For fifty years, equality won. Then inequality struck back. A century of America's unfinished fight.
by Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore 2015
3.75
111 ratings
Building a New American State
by Stephen Skowronek • 1982
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
3.75
57
Building a New American State Summary
Building a New American State 86%
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
by Stephen Skowronek 1982
3.75
57 ratings
The Republic of Violence
by J.D. Dickey • 2022
The abolitionists' greatest enemy wasn't slavery; it was the mob violence that met their every move.
4.03
34
The Republic of Violence Summary
The Republic of Violence 86%
The abolitionists' greatest enemy wasn't slavery; it was the mob violence that met their every move.
by J.D. Dickey 2022
4.03
34 ratings
Appetite for America
by Stephen Fried • 2010
A railroad restaurant empire that civilized the West and launched America's first female workforce.
4.21
1k+
Appetite for America Summary
Appetite for America 86%
A railroad restaurant empire that civilized the West and launched America's first female workforce.
by Stephen Fried 2010
4.21
1k+ ratings
Nature's Metropolis
by William Cronon • 1991
The grain and hogs flowing through Chicago didn't just feed the nation, they rewired the continent.
4.26
4k+
Nature's Metropolis Summary
Nature's Metropolis 86%
The grain and hogs flowing through Chicago didn't just feed the nation, they rewired the continent.
by William Cronon 1991
4.26
4k+ ratings
The Golden Cup
by Belva Plain • 1986
A tenement fire, a radical reformer. She marries him anyway, then spends a lifetime reckoning.
4.02
2k+
The Golden Cup Summary
The Golden Cup 86%
A tenement fire, a radical reformer. She marries him anyway, then spends a lifetime reckoning.
by Belva Plain 1986
4.02
2k+ ratings
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913
by C. Vann Woodward • 1951
After 1877 the South was remade: industrialists allied with the North and made racial exclusion law
4.11
240
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913 Summary
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913 86%
After 1877 the South was remade: industrialists allied with the North and made racial exclusion law
by C. Vann Woodward 1951
4.11
240 ratings
The Johnstown Flood
by David McCullough • 1968
2,200 dead, a city erased in ten minutes. The dam's owners were never held accountable.
4.13
26k+
The Johnstown Flood Summary
The Johnstown Flood 86%
2,200 dead, a city erased in ten minutes. The dam's owners were never held accountable.
by David McCullough 1968
4.13
26k+ ratings
State of the Union
by Nelson Lichtenstein • 2002
Why American law expanded individual rights while dismantling the collective power of labor.
3.75
170
State of the Union Summary
State of the Union 86%
Why American law expanded individual rights while dismantling the collective power of labor.
by Nelson Lichtenstein 2002
3.75
170 ratings
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