Our American Story: The Search for a Shared National Narrative

By: Joshua A. Claybourn

Narrated by: Peter Lerman

Over the past few decades, the complicated divides of geography, class, religion, and race created deep fractures in the United States, each side fighting to advance its own mythology and political interests. We lack a central story, a common ground we can celebrate and enrich with deeper meaning. Unable to agree on first principles, we cannot agree on what it means to be American. As we dismantle or disregard symbols and themes that previously united us, can we replace them with stories and rites that unite our tribes and maintain meaning in our American identity?

Against this backdrop, Our American Story features leading thinkers from across the political spectrum - Jim Banks, David W. Blight, Spencer P. Boyer, Eleanor Clift, John C. Danforth, Cody Delistraty, Richard A. Epstein, Nikolas Gvosdev, Cherie Harder, Jason Kuznicki, Gerard N. Magliocca, Markos Moulitsas, Ilya Somin, Cass R. Sunstein, Alan Taylor, James V. Wertsch, Gordon S. Wood, and Ali Wyne. Each draws on expertise within their respective fields of history, law, politics, and public policy to contribute a unique perspective about the American story. This collection explores whether a unifying story can be achieved and, if so, what that story could be.

"Offers…scholarly insight, personal wisdom, and an embodiment of America's questing spirit." (Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution)

"In this enlightening book, scholars from many fields will help you understand the conflicting narratives that influence our political thinking and behavior today." (Jonathan Haidt, New York University Stern School of Business)

©2019 Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (P)2019 Redwood Audiobooks

American Story

Thanks for this audiobook American Story. This book made me more thankful that I live in this country.

Provocative

An engaging and provocative read on a very timely subject. The reader, Peter Lehman, is great as well.

Great narration for this audio book!

The book was great and the narration was compelling. Highly recommend! This is a quick listen.

Was interesting in beginning then turned Liberal.

Don’t waste your time or money on this book. You think it’s about history then it turns into a CNN lying bunch of puke! Completely one sided. I should have been warned before I bought.