Americanon
An Unexpected U.S. History in Thirteen Bestselling Books
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
âWith her usual eye for detail and knack for smart storytelling, Jess McHugh takes a savvy and sensitive look at the 'secret origins' of the books that made and defined us. . . . You won't want to miss a one moment of it.ââBrian Jay Jones, author of Becoming Dr. Seuss and the New York Times bestselling Jim Henson
The true, fascinating, and remarkable history of thirteen books that defined a nation
Surprising and delightfully engrossing, Americanon explores the true history of thirteen of the nationâs most popular books. Overlooked for centuries, our simple dictionaries, spellers, almanacs, and how-to manuals are the unexamined touchstones for American cultures and customs. These books sold tens of millions of copies and set out specific archetypes for the ideal American, from the self-made entrepreneur to the humble farmer.
Benjamin Franklinâs Autobiography, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Webster's Dictionary, Emily Postâs Etiquette: Americanon looks at how these ubiquitous books have updated and reemphasized potent American idealsâabout meritocracy, patriotism, or individualismâat crucial moments in history. Old favorites like the Old Farmerâs Almanac and Betty Crockerâs Picture Cook Book are seen in this new wayânot just as popular books but as foundational texts that shaped our understanding of the American story.
Taken together, these books help us understand how their authors, most of them part of a powerful minority, attempted to construct meaning for the majority. Their beliefs and quirksâas well as personal interests, prejudices, and often strange personalitiesâinformed the values and habits of millions of Americans, woven into our cultural DNA over generations of reading and dog-earing. Yet their influence remains uninvestigatedâuntil now.
What better way to understand a people than to look at the books they consumed most, the ones they returned to repeatedly, with questions about everything from spelling to social mobility to sex. This fresh and engaging book is American history as youâve never encountered it before.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
June 1, 2021 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593409411
- File size: 316459 KB
- Duration: 10:59:17
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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