The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People Volume 1

by Brinkley, Alan

• ISBN13: 9781259287121
• ISBN10: 1259287122
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780077412296, 9781264309252
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-09-18
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
• More Book Details

About This Book

The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, Volume 1

ISBN: 9781259287121

About This Book

"The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, Volume 1" by Alan Brinkley is a best-selling textbook that offers a balanced and approachable survey of American history. This concise yet thorough resource is designed for students at all levels, making it an essential tool for educators and learners alike.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and instructors in introductory American history courses at the college and university levels. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the basics of American history, including professionals looking to refresh their knowledge or expand their understanding of historical principles.

History and Editions

The 8th edition of "The Unfinished Nation" has been updated to include new scholarship and updated discussions, most significantly on the topics of War, American Imperialism, and Globalization. This edition features a narrative that is both accessible and engaging, supported by digital tools such as interactive maps that encourage critical thinking and retention of key course concepts.

Author and Other Works

Alan Brinkley is a renowned historian known for his clear and engaging writing style. He has written several books on American history, including "The End of Reform: New Deal Liberalism in Recession and War" and "Liberalism and Its Discontents." Brinkley's work in "The Unfinished Nation" reflects his commitment to making complex historical concepts understandable and interesting for readers.

Key Features

• Concise yet Thorough Survey: The book provides a comprehensive overview of American history, covering significant events and themes from colonial times to the present.
• Accessible Narrative: Brinkley's writing style is clear and engaging, making it easy for students to understand and retain historical information.
• Digital Tools: The book is available as a digital SmartBook, which enhances understanding by asking students to demonstrate comprehension as they read. It also includes interactive maps and other digital tools to encourage critical thinking.
• Updated Discussions: The 8th edition includes new scholarship and updated discussions on important topics like War, American Imperialism, and Globalization.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-10: 1259287122, ISBN-13: 9781259287121
• eTextbook: Available as a digital SmartBook (format varies by platform)

Publication Details

• Publisher: McGraw Hill
• Publication Date: 2015
• Number of Pages: 480
• Language: English
• Dimensions: 9.10 x 0.60 inches

Other Editions and Formats

• 7th Edition: Available through McGraw Hill and other retailers
• 6th Edition: Available through McGraw Hill and other retailers

Related ISBNs:

• 9781259287138 (7th edition)
• 9781259287145 (6th edition)

Availability

You can find "The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, Volume 1" in various formats, including paperback and digital versions. For used copies, eCampus offers a very good condition option at $3.99 shipping, with 10 available copies[2]. Half Price Books also offers a used copy for $22.49[4].

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for "The Unfinished Nation," making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Collision of Cultures

America Before Columbus

Europe Looks Westward

The Arrival of the English

Debating the Past: The American Population BeforeColumbus

America in the World: The Atlantic Context of EarlyAmerican History

America in the World: Mercantilism and ColonialCommerce

Consider the Source: Bartolome de las Casas,"Of the Island of Hispaniola"

Chapter 2: Transplantations and Borderlands

The Early Chesapeake

The Growth of New England

The Restoration Colonies

Borderlands and Middle Grounds

The Development of Empire

Debating the Past: Native Americans and "TheMiddle Ground"

Consider the Source: Cotton Mather on the RecentHistory of New England

Chapter 3: Society and Culture in Provincial America

The Colonial Population

The Colonial Economies

Patterns of Society

Awakenings and Enlightenments

Debating the Past: The Origins of Slavery

Debating the Past: The Witchcraft Trials

Consider the Source: Gottlieb Mittleburger, thePassage of Indentured Servants

Chapter 4: The Empire in Transition

Loosening Ties

The Struggle for the Continent

The New Imperialism

Stirrings of Revolt

Cooperation and War

America in the World: The First Global War

Patterns of Popular Culture: Tavernsin Revolutionary Massachusetts

Consider the Source: Benjamin Franklin, Testimonyagainst the Stamp Act

Chapter 5: The American Revolution

The States United

The War for Independence

War and Society

The Creation of State Governments

The Search for a National Government

Debating the Past: The American Revolution

America in the World: The Age of Revolutions

Consider the Source: Abigail Adams discusses women’srights

Chapter 6: The Constitution and the New Republic

Framing a New Government

Adoption and Adaptation

Federalists and Republicans

Establishing National Sovereignty

The Downfall of the Federalists

Debating the Past: The Background of theConstitution

Consider the Source: Washington’s Farewell Address

Chapter 7: The Jeffersonian Era

The Rise of Cultural Nationalism

Stirrings of Industrialism

Jefferson the President

Doubling the National Domain

Expansion and War

The War of 1812

America in the World: The Global IndustrialRevolution

Patterns of Popular Culture: HorseRacing

Consider the Source: Thomas Jefferson to MeriwetherLewis, June 1803

Chapter 8: Varieties of American Nationalism

Stabilizing Economic Growth

Expanding Westward

The "Era of Good Feelings"

Sectionalism and Nationalism

The Revival of Opposition

Consider the Source: Thomas Jefferson Reacts to theMissouri Compromise

Chapter 9: Jacksonian America

The Rise of Mass Politics

"Our Federal Union"

The Removal of the Indians

Jackson and the Bank War

The Changing Tale of American Politics

Politics After Jackson

Debating the Past: Jacksonian Democracy

Patterns of Popular Culture: ThePenny Press

Consider the Source: Alexis de Tocqueville,Democracy in America

Chapter 10: America's Economic Revolution

The Changing American Population

Transportation and Communications Revolutions

Commerce and Industry

Men and Women at Work

Patterns of Society

The Agricultural North

Patterns of Popular Culture:Shakespeare in America

Consider the Source: The Baltimore Patriot SupportsGovernment Regulation of Telegraphy

Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South

The Cotton Economy

Southern White Society

Slavery: The "Peculiar Institution"

The Culture of Slavery

Debating the Past: The Character of Slavery

Consider the Source: Senator James Henry HammondDeclares “Cotton Is King”

Chapter 12: Antebellum Culture and Reform

The Romantic Impulse

Remaking Society

The Crusade Against Slavery

America in the World: The Abolition of Slavery

Consider the Source: Declaration of Sentiments andResolutions, Seneca Fall, NY, 1848

Chapter 13: The Impending Crisis

Looking Westward

Expansion and War

The Sectional Debate

The Crisis of the 1850s

Consider the Source: Wilmot Proviso to the NorthwestOrdinance, 1846

Chapter 14: The Civil War

The Secession Crisis

The Mobilization of the North

The Mobilization of the South

Strategy and Diplomacy

Campaigns and Battles

Debating the Past: The Causes of the Civil War

Patterns of Popular Culture:Baseball and the Civil War

Consider the Source:

Chapter 15: Reconstruction and the New South

The Problems of Peacemaking

Radical Reconstruction

The South in Reconstruction

The Grant Administration

The Abandonment of Reconstruction

The New South

Debating the Past: Reconstruction

Consider the Source: Southern Blacks Ask for Help