American Struggle

Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology

De: Jon Meacham

Narrado por: Fred Sanders, Jon Meacham, Steve Hendrickson, Mike Chamberlain, Robert Petkoff, January LaVoy, Kimberly Farr, Robert Fass, Jim Seybert, Aaron Goodson, JD Jackson, Tavia Gilbert, Keith Szarabajka, Full Cast

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of America unites centuries of essential American voices to understand our national debates and divisions from 1619 to the present, with his signature commentary on the consequential speeches, letters, and essays that led us to this moment.

“Jon Meacham has done it again. If there is a soul in American history, it emerges—indeed, explodes—from these pages.”—David W. Blight, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

In a polarized era, history can become a subject of political contention. Many see America as perfect; many others argue that the national experiment is fundamentally flawed. The truth, Meacham shows, likely lies between these extremes. America has had shining hours, and also dark ones.

In American Struggle, Jon Meacham illuminates the nation’s complicated past. This rich and diverse collection covers a wide spectrum of history, from 1619 to the twenty-first century, with primary-source documents that take us back to critical moments in which Americans fought over the meaning and the direction of the national experiment. From the founders to Lincoln to Obama, from Andrew Jackson to Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, from Seneca Falls to the March on Washington, this chorus—sometimes discordant and always fascinating—tells the story of the country and of its people. As clashes over liberty and slavery, inclusion and exclusion, play out, these voices, brilliantly framed by Meacham’s singular commentary, remind us that contentious citizenship and fair-minded observations are essential to bringing about the more perfect union envisioned in the Preamble to the Constitution, which Frederick Douglass called a “glorious liberty document.”

Conflict is nothing new in our democracy; rather, as Meacham and these texts show, tensions are inherent, stubborn, and perennial. And American Struggle teaches us anew that to know what has come before, to watch as long-running disputes rise and fall, is to be armed against despair.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of images from the book

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Jon Meacham has done it again. This collection of pivotal American documents is all about the contrasts that flow from American pluralism over time, but it is even more about poignancies and conflicts which rise over and over in our history. Here are Hamilton and Jefferson, Calhoun and David Walker; Andrew Jackson and the Seneca Falls Declaration; Frederick Douglass and Andrew Johnson. FDR timelessly takes on "fear" and Huey Long "rich people." Democracy marches in many tongues here but so does authoritarianism, American-style. If there is a soul in American history, it emerges—indeed, explodes—from these pages.”—David W. Blight, Yale University, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

“Jon Meacham is our era’s preeminent historian of America’s values. In this anthology of brilliant essays and important documents, he weaves a narrative of how our democracy has progressed, in fits and starts, in pursuit of a more perfect union. It serves as a guide for the struggle we still face to preserve our freedoms. This is the one book everyone should read to celebrate our 250th birthday.”—Walter Isaacson, Professor of History, Tulane University, and New York Times bestselling author of Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, and Einstein

“With American Struggle, Jon Meacham gives us exactly what we need as we approach the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The documents presented remind us, in this very difficult time, of the country’s sometimes fraught journey toward creating a more perfect union. This volume is inspiring, just at the moment and in the way we need it most.”—Annette Gordon-Reed, Carl M. Loeb University Professor, Harvard University, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

“With this unique anthology, Pulitzer winner Meacham (And There Was Light) aims to inspire by spotlighting tense moments of political polarization and conflicting viewpoints throughout American history. . . . There’s much powerful thought to soak up here.”—Publishers Weekly

“A panoramic collection of historical writing, illuminating America’s evolving democracy and the dissent that drives it. Broad in scope yet vivid . . . [Meacham] curates a sweeping chronicle of American democracy’s promises and betrayals. . . . By presenting the raw materials of U.S. history with context and moral clarity, Meacham helps readers understand the past and orient themselves in the ongoing fight for a ‘more perfect Union.’ Evocative and impeccably curated—reframing America’s past to inform a more democratic and vigilant future.”—Kirkus Reviews

The Vance speech second from the end. Very poor selection.

Generally a very representative selection of speeches. This would earn 5 stars from me if the Vance speech at the end had not been included. I thought Trump’s 2016 speech was appropriate. Nice job with the intros to the speeches, Mr. Meacham.

Long history of America & Race+

Challenges have confronted colonists & Americans since the beginning. Americans have been fearful of “those others” in spite of the Declaration’s “all men are created equal” Freedom was for white American men. Others have fought, sometimes successfully, for their freedoms…others not yet. Many great Americans sought for a better life for all and they spoke up & acted. Today America faces an effort to make it an autocracy. History shows protests & fighting back to preserve the liberal democracy. 🇺🇸

Brilliant but lacking JFK

Everything Jon Meacham does is brilliant and this is no exception. The two speeches by Trump and Vance at the end were painful but, I guess, necessary. My one complaint is that there is only one speech or statement by the most eloquent man of my lifetime, John F Kennedy. Why? His inaugural address and Houston ministers speeches are legendary and important. But Meacham is the man and, otherwise, this was a riveting book.

If you're struggling with what's happening to our Democracy - Listen.

An incredible collection of speeches and writings that helped me remember how great our country can be when we have honest leadership, when we have free speech, in praise or criticism and most importantly, when we are all motivated with fierce gentleness and kindness to be fellow citizens. Fellow citizens willing to work together to rebuild and improve our currently decimated institutions. When we realize that this experiment is worth saving from authoritarianism. When we realize that we all want good lives not just for ourselves but for all people.
The last four speeches are a perfect juxtaposition and I hope help people realize the difference between leadership and despotism.

A Necessary Read and educational

Well done and balanced presentation. I was glad I listened to it ok