The Men Who United the States: The Amazing Stories of the Explorers, Inventors and Mavericks Who Made America - Couverture rigide

Winchester, Simon

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0007532377 ISBN 13 : 9780007532377

Editeur : William Collins, 2013

Synopsis

From bestselling author Simon Winchester, the extraordinary story of how America was united into a single nation. For more than two centuries, E pluribus unum - out of many, one - has been featured on America's official government seals and stamped on its currency. But how did America become 'one nation, indivisible'? In this monumental history, Simon Winchester addresses this question, introducing the fearless trailblazers whose achievements forged and unified America. Winchester follows in the footsteps of America's most essential explorers, thinkers, and innovators. He treks vast swaths of territory, introducing these fascinating pioneers - some, such as Washington and Jefferson, Lewis and Clark being familiar, some forgotten, some hardly known - who played a pivotal role in creating today's United States. Throughout, he ponders whether the historic work of uniting the States has succeeded, and to what degree. 'The Men Who United the States' is a fresh, lively, and erudite look at the way in which the most powerful nation on earth came together, from one of our most entertaining, probing, and insightful observers.

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture :

For more than two centuries, E pluribus unum—"Out of many, one"—has been featured on America's official government seals and stamped on its currency. But how did America become "one nation, indivisible"? In this monumental history, Simon Winchester addresses these questions, bringing together the breathtaking achievements of those American pioneers who helped to forge and unify the new nation, and who toiled fearlessly to bond the citizens and geography of the United States from its very beginnings. This sweeping narrative details how these daring men, some famous, some forgotten, left their mark on America's natural landscapes, through courage, ingenuity, and hard work.

Winchester follows the footsteps of America's most crucial innovators, thinkers, and explorers, from Lewis and Clark and the leaders of the Great Surveys of the West to the builders of the first transcontinental railroad and the curmudgeonly civil engineer who oversaw the creation of more than three million miles of highway. Winchester travels across vast swaths of the American landscape, from Pittsburgh to Portland, Seattle to Anchorage, Truckee to Laramie, using the five classical elements—Wood, Earth, Water, Fire, and Metal—to chart the contributions these adventurous leaders made to connect the diverse communities within the United States and ensure the future of the American project begun in 1776.

The Men Who United the States is an unforgettable journey of unprecedented scope across time and open spaces, providing a new lens through which to view American history, led by one of our most gifted writers.

Revue de presse :

“Entertaining. ... A pleasure.” (New York Times Book Review)

“A rousing tribute to the alliances, agencies, and inventions - from Lewis and Clark to the Internet - that underpin our more perfect union. A stunning, highly original feast of a book.” (STACY SCHIFF, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cleopatra)

“Vivid, valuable. ... An extraordinary, propulsive tale.” (Wall Street Journal)

“An impeccably researched, erudite, well-told tale, peppered with occasional grace notes.” (Miami Herald)

“An elegantly written account... filled with fascinating information.” (Boston Globe)

“[M]esmerizing and fascinating... Mr. Winchester is a master storyteller, and all the individuals, places, and events that he passionately writes about come to life in exquisite detail.” (New York Journal of Books)

“Winchester has found a thematic way to tell this familiar story so it seems fresh and informative, even fascinating.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

“Winchester provides surprising insights into our social history, further enriching his narrative with accounts of his personal odysseys around the country. The results are highly recommended for public and school libraries and all readers looking for new and stimulating perspectives on the history of America.” (Library Journal)

“A most genial storyteller” (Las Vegas Weekly)

“[I]nformative and absorbing” (The Oregonian (Portland))

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: William Collins
• Date d'édition: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0007532377
• ISBN 13: 9780007532377
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 496