An Invitation to the Great American Story (Young Readers Edition, Volume 2)
VOLUME TWO: THE MAKING OF MODERN AMERICA
From 1877 to 2020
The Founders of the American nation would have had trouble recognizing the America that emerged after the Civil War. By century's end we had rapidly evolved into the world's greatest industrial power. It was a nation of large new cities populated by immigrants from all over the world. And it was a nation that was taking an increasingly active role on the world stage, even to the point of acquiring an empire of its own. Many Americans began to wonder whether this modern nation had outgrown its original Constitution. That document had been written back in the eighteenth century, after all, and one of its main goals was limiting the size and scope of government. But did that goal make sense in the dynamic new America of the twentieth century?
That became a central question. The Progressive movement and its successors believed it was time to replace the Constitution with laws permitting a larger and more powerful government. Others firmly rejected such changes and insisted on the permanent validity of the Constitution's ideal of limited government. In addition, with the two great world wars of the twentieth century, and the Cold War that came after them, America found itself thrust into a position of overwhelming world leadership-something else that the Founders never imagined or wanted. Such leadership required the development of a large and permanent military establishment whose very existence ran up against the nation's founding traditions. With the end of the Cold War, America faced a decision. Should it shed the world responsibilities it had taken on during the twentieth century? Or should it treat those responsibilities as a permanent obligation? That debate, which has deep roots in American history, continues to this day.
“Professor McClay has brought faith, hope, and charity to this comprehensive and readable narration of our National Story.”
—Will Fitzhugh, The Concord Review
“This affirmative, evenhanded review of American history, institutions, and character is refreshing, and comes none too soon, when so many accounts are merely trying to settle scores. Beautifully written and fair-minded, Land of Hope ranks among the finest surveys of the nation’s past.”
—Gilbert T. Sewall, American Textbook Council
“Every page pops with the extraordinary achievements, near misses, and frustrating failures of a nation formed by the common pursuit of liberty and happiness.”
—Robert L. Jackson, Institute for Classical Education
“Our children stand at risk of not knowing who they are as inheritors and keepers of American freedom. Enter Wilfred M. McClay. This latest edition of his beautiful narrative forms a compelling vision of America’s past.”
—Andrew J. Zwerneman, Cana Academy
“Students fortunate enough to encounter these volumes will become better readers and more knowledgeable citizens.”
— Lucien Ellington, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
“Our nation is facing challenges from those who contend that America was founded on evil principles and should be effectively dismantled. This superbly readable volume tells the story of America accurately—critiquing what we got wrong but praising the many things we got right. This approach will produce fair-minded citizens who are loyal to our ideals but who are also willing to challenge our leaders to live up to them.”
— Michael Farris, president & CEO, Alliance Defending Freedom, and founder, Home School Legal Defense Association
“This Young Readers Edition brings the great American story into the lives of late primary and middle-school children. We use it in Hillsdale College’s affiliated K-12 schools, and enthusiastically recommend it to any teacher or parent.”
— Dr. Kathleen O'Toole, Assistant Provost for K-12 Education, Hillsdale College
