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Colin Woodard

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America Paperback – September 25, 2012

by Colin Woodard (Author)

1,310 ratings

in History of Ethnic & Tribal Religions

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• A New Republic Best Book of the Year • The Globalist Top Books of the Year • Winner of the Maine Literary Award for Non-fiction •

Particularly relevant in understanding who voted for who in this presidential election year, this is an endlessly fascinating look at American regionalism and the eleven “nations” that continue to shape North America

According to award-winning journalist and historian Colin Woodard, North America is made up of eleven distinct nations, each with its own unique historical roots. In American Nations he takes readers on a journey through the history of our fractured continent, offering a revolutionary and revelatory take on American identity, and how the conflicts between them have shaped our past and continue to mold our future. From the Deep South to the Far West, to Yankeedom to El Norte, Woodard (author of American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good) reveals how each region continues to uphold its distinguishing ideals and identities today, with results that can be seen in the composition of the U.S. Congress or on the county-by-county election maps of this year's Trump versus Clinton presidential election.

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Product details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint edition (September 25, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780143122029
ISBN-13: 978-0143122029
ASIN: 0143122029
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 1,310 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Human Geography (Books)
- #4 in Historical Geography
- #1 in History of Ethnic & Tribal Religions

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Customer reviews

5 star		71%
4 star		17%
3 star		7%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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CFraser

The mind-shifting I got from this book is the only thing that keeps me sane when I read the news.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2018

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As I struggled to fathom what has happened to the US in the past year, this book came along and has begun to inform my thinking about how our current governmental scenario has developed.
Understanding the point of view/world view of people of the various "nations" of North America has helped me to be a bit less reactive in my responses as decisions get made that I think are bonkers. But bonkers because I've come from my nation and they've come from theirs.
Next challenge ... figuring out how to bridge the gap between the nations. That's a biggie.

121 people found this helpful

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Luke T. Evans

First two-thirds are excellent and well-balanced, the last third sadly not so

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015

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I highly recommend this book, but I'm submitting a three-star review based on the book's very weak and undisciplined finish. I thought the first two-thirds of the book provided a well-documented and well-thought-out presentation of America's regional differences and the history behind those differences. It was truly enlightening, even for an historian like myself. When writing the last third, however, the author clearly lost his objective discipline. Whereas the first two-thirds were well-reasoned and well-supported, the last third devolved into stereotypes and generalities, and contained more than a few downright errors, particularly concerning the modern Deep South and Greater Appalachia. I am an unapologetic Left Coaster with clear leanings toward activist Yankeeism, but even I was able to see Mr. Woodard's clear bias in the last third of the book. I found myself cringing more than a few times at the outright inaccuracies contained in his presentation of the modern South. I could list at least a half-dozen factual errors in his presentation concerning the practice and influence of Evangelical Christianity in the Bible Belt, for instance, but would rather not bog down this review with nit-picking. It would be great if Mr. Woodard could write a revised edition where he would exercise the same historical discipline in the last third of the book that he did for the first two-thirds. Such a presentation would truly be worthy of five stars. I still feel that this book is very much worth reading, but readers should approach the last third with a skeptical eye.

661 people found this helpful

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Lindy

Warning against buying the audio version

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2017

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Just a word of warning about the Audible edition: there are far too many inaccuracies in the recorded version, inaccuracies which should have been corrected by re-recording. Some of the author's words are changed by the narrator. Some are omitted, while occasionally some are added. Some words are misread in ways that either alter the entire meaning of the sentence or leave the listener wondering what in the world the sentence was supposed to mean. Some words are mispronounced. After listening to about six chapters, I decided to buy the Kindle version so that I could understand what the author had actually written. I then read the text as I listened to the audio version, a process which showed me just how many substantial errors the narrator was making. This low quality of the audio version is unacceptable. By the way, I join those reviewers who praise the first 2/3 of this book, but I certainly urge others to purchase a text version.

150 people found this helpful

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Franklin the Mouse

The Schizophrenic States of America

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2017

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Mr. Woodard's 'American Nations' will help you see the forest for the trees. I'm a Mainer and laughed while reading the author's summation of the Yankeedom character. It fit to a tee. There are many perspectives taken by citizens, especially in the South, I find downright nutty. Mr. Woodard's very convincing argument shows that our nation's tensions have been consistently about cultural clashes between eleven areas. I understood the strong North and South difference, but the author gives a more detailed breakdown of what has been occurring even prior to the formation of the United States.

The near endless debates about the Constitution's "original intent" is laughable. There were and still are diametrically opposing values, politics, and social priorities in our country. The political experiment known as our Constitution was thrown together with concessions made and a reluctance to join together as one nation. Mr. Woodard also shows how cultural assimilation occurs and persists. An influx of immigrants do not change the area's cultural paradigm but, over time, it's the immigrants who take on the region's mores. The book also debunks cherished myths such as the founding of Jamestown, Puritans being champions of religious freedom, and how the American Revolution was one mindset. It also addresses such topics as why does Canada exist and did not become part of the United States; the stubborn caste system still prevalent in the South; how the various nations viewed Native Americans; the deep distrust between Yankeedom and the Deep South; why Reconstruction failed; and understanding the philosophical differences between freedom and liberty.

Mr. Woodard's work is a game changer. It not only helped clarify many puzzles I've witnessed over the decades, the book will influence my perspective from this moment on. The author states politics, religion, ethnic prejudice, geography, and agricultural practices kept colonists almost entirely apart. By the time other groups entered an already inhabited region, the first culture's ways had become fixed and remain so up to today. The important question Mr. Woodard asks is the United States sustainable or will it eventually break up into regions? It is not idle speculation. Take a look at the USSR and how it seemed to quickly crumble. National arrogance blinds many into believing things will remain the same here in the good ole U.S. of A. Yankeedom/New France and the Deep South/Greater Appalachia have mindsets in many philosophical areas that are simply nonnegotiable. It is a thought-provoking book that will help you see our nation for what it is... Sybil.

156 people found this helpful

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Brad VanAuken

Required Reading for Every US Citizen

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017

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This book should be required reading for all Americans. It would make a great textbook for high school American history. The book goes well beyond the pilgrim and Thanksgiving myths that create a unified and hugely simplified view of our country's founding. It describes the different groups that came to America for entirely different reasons and speaks to their varying attitudes and values. The book lends considerable insight to the regional and political differences that persist today. I read dozens of new books a year. This one stood out among all of the others. It was an absolutely fascinating read.

63 people found this helpful

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E. Dean Butler

Unique and insightful history of the development of regional American character

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2018

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This book geographically divides the USA into regions characterized by the sorts of people who first settled what is now the American nation. The conclusions are insightful, fascinating and make for cannot-put-it-down reading. The first two thirds of the book are an important history lesson not generally taught in schools. The last third of the book is (unfortunately) rather emotionally driven -- re-making points that were already made earlier.

One thing the author should have done is better fact checking. While most of the history is factual, there are some glaring errors. For example, the author puts Donegal PA on the Great Wagon Road -- a 115 mile mistake. The Great Wagon Road did not go this far west. Another glaring error is erroneous comparison of the early relationship between the thirteen original states to the relationship of nations in the European Union. The author is way off the mark on this and obviously did not study the way the European Union is set up but just made assumptions.

But, the author's overall goal of elucidating the regional characteristics of the USA is well served.

6 people found this helpful

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ulbrich

Yankees are not the only nation in America

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2017

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Anyone who thought that the United States was a coherent country with common values should read Woodard's book. It offers British readers in particular a much more nuanced insight into the complex mix of cultures and values assimilated into the boundaries of this state, and also signposts what might have happened instead at different junctures. The arguments are supported by solid references and the book would make not just enjoyable leisure reading but serve as a valuable alternative viewpoint to received wisdom for those studying the history and constitution of America.

2 people found this helpful

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Mrs. R

Totally engrossing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2016

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This is a totally engrossing account of how the United States was founded. Having previously lived in America, I was easily able to identify as well as understand how the ethno-cultural differences came to be - in fact, I found it a revelation: the United States is anything but united! For anyone who has an interest in America - it's history and its politics - this is an unmissable read and I cannot recommend this book too highly.

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JCW

Good book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2019

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Bought for my husband. He said it was a good read

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Brian and Sheila Smith

Enthraling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2015

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This is a must for any student that wishes to get and insight into the complexities of the melting pot , which is the USA. It opened my eyes to many issues and is a book I shall use often as a refernce.

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Linda jh

Must read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2014

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Absolutely fascinating. I had not realised how ignorant i was, about the settling of America but I think that this probably would apply to many people

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2017

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Gripping read. Brings American history to life and explains much of what is happening in the USA today.

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de Valmont

Not a Nobel prize winner, but a gentle review ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2015

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Not a Nobel prize winner, but a gentle review of US history from the premise that still today the political outlook of American regions can be determined by reference to the original settlers. Entertaining and informative

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Tim M.

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2016

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good value

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CRave

The North American History Book for You

Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2017

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As a Canadian, I found this to be a fascinating account of how the cultures of our friendly neighbour to the south came to be and how these same influences helped shape Canada. I enjoyed every page, and I've recommended this book to many friends. So, I can, with confidence, say that, if you have any interest in history, culture or society, this will be money well spent.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Kunde

Excellent, but...

Reviewed in Germany on August 18, 2018

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This book describes the history of European settlement in North America, and the lasting effects the “newcomers” had on the culture of particular areas. For me, as I am not from North America, it was the first time I’ve read about the full history of european North America. I really liked that the book combines the most important historic events that took place and the reasons certain people acted as they did. This is done in a way, that makes the book easy to read and somewhat of a page turner. The only reason I do not give the book the full five stars is because the (short) part where contemporary events are analyzed by using the different “nations” in North America seems a little bit biased towards “northerners” or the democratic party, and against the “deep south” or republicans. The author tries to make a point for both sides, but I felt that liberal ideas got away far more favorable than conservative or “southern” ones.
Any ways, the book is still very good, and I recommend everyone should read it, who wants to understand where some of the main movements in modern day America are coming from.

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MarKe

Politsche Blöcke in Nordamerika

Reviewed in Germany on January 30, 2014

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Der Autor konstruiert einen eingängigen Narrativ, der die politische Entwicklung des nordamerikanischen Kontinents von seinen Anfängen im 16.Jahrhundert bis in die Gegenwart beschreibt. Der darauf basiert, dass die ersten europäische Siedlergruppen verschiedene prägende Wertgebilde geschaffen haben, die sich von ihren Landungsköpfen über den ganzen Kontinent ausgebreitet haben und bis zum heutigen Tag existieren - im Widerspruch zur Behauptung, Amerika sei ein Schmelztiegel respektive ein homogenes Gebilde.
Anhand dieser Zerlegung wird Geschichte und Gegenwart des nordamerikanischen Kontinents verständlich gemacht. Sehr gelungen, wie ich finde. In den ersten 3/4 des Buchs gelingt ihm das, ohne allzugroße Parteinahme.
Die Behandlung des 20.Jahrundert, das letzte Viertel, hingegen ist über weite Strecken als klein,bunt und komisch zu bezeichnen. Es steht im krassen Gegensatz zur klaren Darstellung zuvor. Man könnte fast meinen, dass zwei Autoren am Werk waren.
Nichtsdestotrotz bietet seine Interpretation interessante Einblicke in den politischen Körper Nordamerikas. Sei es historisch oder zur Erklärung der aktuellen Politik in Übersee, die, so geordnet, nicht mehr ganz so affig und borniert wirkt.
Fazit: Lässt man kleinere Fehler außer Acht, das verkorkste letzte Viertel, und persönliche Vorlieben für politische Orientierungen: Ein gutes Buch.

3 people found this helpful

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Molly

Required reading for current U.S. politics

Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2017

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If you want to understand the roots of the U.S.’s current political ungodly mess, this book elegantly lays out the strands. Clear, very well-written, and illuminating. As a Canadian, I’m also pleased with his analysis of Canada’s success in nation-building.

4 people found this helpful

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Mainstay

This book should be studied in every middle school classrooms ...

Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2016

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This book should be studied in every middle school classrooms in America for citizens to get an overview of how America (and overflow into Mexico an Canada) was "civilized" and populated from east to west. It will help dispell a lot of miths and provide understanding about basis for current political turmoil in America today

3 people found this helpful

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Alan Lenton

Well worth reading

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2013

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Colin Woodard has written an interesting book. His basic thesis is very straightforward: that it is possible to have nations that don't have their own states. Using this thesis, he explores the idea that in North American there are multiple nations spread across north Mexico, the USA, and Canada. Woodard traces the origins of these nations from their founding through the various key historical events, such as the American Revolution, the framing of the Constitution, and the Civil War.

Along the way he explains the culture of each nation and discusses how it relates to where the original settlers that constituted each nation came from. Later settlers sought out and settled in areas with a similar background and thus reinforced the original culture. An almost subterranean thread running through the book is an understanding that nations without states aspire, either overtly or instinctively, to become nation states. If there are indeed, as Woodard postulates (and one should note that he is not alone in advancing this idea) multiple stateless nations in North America, then some sort of a redrawing of boundaries is going to take place sooner or later.

Woodard admits as much in his epilogue, but is - correctly in my view - unwilling to speculate on how, when or where. If you accept his initial thesis, and I'm inclined to, then Woodard makes a very persuasive case for there being 11 stateless nations, each with its own ideology and culture, spread across the continent of North America.

Whether you agree with the idea or not, and many won't, I'm sure you will find in this well written book much food for thought. Recommended.

14 people found this helpful

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