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Patriotism books
1776 David McCullough's 2005 account of the pivotal year of the Revolution, centered on Washington and the Continental Army's near-collapse. A History of the American People Paul Johnson's 1997 one-volume history of the United States, a sympathetic and opinionated account of an exceptional nation. A Republic, If You Can Keep It Justice Neil Gorsuch's 2019 reflections on the Constitution, the judge's role and civic virtue, with stories from his career. Alexander Hamilton Ron Chernow's 2004 biography of the first Treasury secretary, who built the financial system of the republic, and the source of a Broadway musical. Battle Cry of Freedom James McPherson's 1988 one-volume history of the Civil War era, the standard Pulitzer-winning narrative from the 1850s to Appomattox. Common Sense Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet that argued plainly for American independence and the end of monarchy, and persuaded a public. Coolidge Amity Shlaes's 2013 biography of Calvin Coolidge, defending his economy and restraint as a model of limited government. Crisis of the House Divided Harry Jaffa's 1959 reading of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, defending Lincoln's appeal to the Declaration's principles. Ideas Have Consequences Richard Weaver's 1948 argument that Western civilization's decline began when it abandoned belief in transcendent truth for nominalism. John Adams David McCullough's 2001 Pulitzer-winning biography of the second president, a stubborn, learned and honest founder. Miracle at Philadelphia Catherine Drinker Bowen's 1966 narrative of the Constitutional Convention, a classic account of how the framers hammered out the compromises. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Frederick Douglass's 1845 autobiography of his enslavement and escape, a landmark of American literature and an indictment of slavery. Political Debates Between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas The seven 1858 Illinois Senate debates in which Lincoln argued against the spread of slavery and Douglas defended popular sovereignty. The Federalist The 85 essays by Hamilton, Madison and Jay, written in 1787 and 1788 to win ratification of the Constitution, and still its best commentary. The Fractured Republic Yuval Levin's 2016 history of postwar American politics, and a call to rebuild the middle layer of civil society. The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution Bernard Bailyn's 1967 study of the pamphlets that show colonists fearing a conspiracy against liberty, and the ideas that moved them to revolt. The Radicalism of the American Revolution Gordon Wood's 1992 Pulitzer-winning argument that the Revolution transformed a hierarchical colonial society into a democratic, commercial one. The Strenuous Life Theodore Roosevelt's 1900 collection of speeches and essays preaching hard work, courage, national duty and civic responsibility. Up from Slavery Booker T. Washington's 1901 autobiography, which tells of his rise from slavery to found Tuskegee Institute and preaches self-help and education. Washington: A Life Ron Chernow's 2010 Pulitzer-winning biography of George Washington, portraying a driven, self-made and self-disciplined leader. Witness Whittaker Chambers's 1952 memoir of his communist underground work, his break with the party, and the Alger Hiss case, a landmark of American conservatism.