Inventing America, Single-Volume Edition [Paperback]

Merritt Roe Smith (Author), Alexander Keyssar (Author), Daniel J. Kevles (Author), Pauline Maier (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393974340 | ISBN-13: 978-0393974348 | Publication Date: September 2002

Representing a fresh approach to the teaching of American history, this textbook takes innovation as its theme. The book is a chronological survey, highlighting the ways in which the constant invention of ideas, the impulse to improve, the renewal of old practices in areas as diverse as the American railroad and the rise of jazz, have all animated the progress of American history. The text links the theme of innovation to political, economic, social and cultural developments.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pauline Maier is William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of American History at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . Merritt Roe Smith is Leverett and William Cutten Professor of the History of Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alexander Keyssar is Matthew W. Stirling Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at Harvard University. Daniel J. Kevles, the Stanley Woodward Professor of History at Yale University, taught American history for many years at the California Institute of Technology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1086 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc (Np) (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393974340
• ISBN-13: 978-0393974348
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars standard text for general American History, April 17, 2004

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"ckhs54" (Gaithersburg, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inventing America, Single-Volume Edition (Paperback)

Inventing America is a new history of the United Sates whose unifying theme is innovation. It aims to integrate into a compelling narrative the persistent inventiveness of American in devising new political institutions and practices, economics arrangements, social relations and cultural motifs, adaptations to the natural environment, and exploitation of science and technology.

Indeed, the most original aim of Inventing America is its treatment of science and technology as integral elements of American history. Technical innovation has been important since the earliest times, from pre-Columbian peoples cultivated grains into maize. With the arrival of Europeans, Americans began importing knowledge, technology, plants, and animals from abroad, a process mirrored the import of capital, people, and culture, as we established ourselves as members of a global exchange. The activities of naturalists and scientific societies in eighteenth-century America contributed to the creation of an American identity. The technological and organizational innovation of the nineteenth century changed the ways Americans worked, lived, and spent leisure.

Inventing America serves as an effective teaching tool for the US history survey course. Each chapter features focus questions, outlines, chronologies, and thematic running heads that keep the main points in view for readers. Many features in Inventing America provide readers with a wide perspective: "American Journal" boxes use primary sources to give readers a taste of everyday life in all the major periods. And the packaged CD-ROMs contain numerous archival and original multimedia materials, including audio reading, tours into the different aspects of life, designed to supplement the text discussions.

The text is neatly done: the writing is straightforward and succinct, complete with ample maps and illustrations. As an inevitable part of composing general history, the book does in many instances sacrifices depth for breadth with a less than desirable suggested reading list at the end of each chapter.

Ideal for textbook usage in secondary schools, Inventing America nonetheless proves suitable for all learners of American history with its fresh, intuitive approach of how the nation was invented.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, January 16, 2009

By 

C. J. Hale (Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inventing America, Single-Volume Edition (Paperback)

The interface between technology and historical evolution is one that is frequently overlooked by the general community of historians. This book, which correlates technological evolution with the developmental paths of American history, will be a revelation to those who have been unaware of this prime driver of historical change. Very well done.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful US History Book!!!, December 8, 2011

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desiq38 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Inventing America, Second Edition (Single-Volume Edition) (Hardcover)

I love this book used it US histroy one and two. The chapters are outlined and headed well. Its a very intresting type text book my favorite by far compared to others!!