Bestselling author and radio host Michael Medved recounts some of the most significant events in America’s rise to prosperity and power, from the writing of the Constitution to the Civil War. He reveals a record of improbabilities and amazements that demonstrate what the Founders always believed: that events unfolded according to a master plan, with destiny playing an unmistakable role in lifting … lifting the nation to greatness.
Among the stirring, illogical episodes described here:
• A band of desperate religious refugees find themselves blown hopelessly off course, only to be deposited at the one spot on a wild continent best suited for their survival
• George Washington’s beaten army, surrounded by a ruthless foe and on the verge of annihilation, manages an impossible escape due to a freakish change in the weather
• A famous conqueror known for seizing territory, frustrated by a slave rebellion and a frozen harbor, impulsively hands Thomas Jefferson a tract of land that doubles the size of the United States
• A weary soldier picks up three cigars left behind in an open field and notices the stogies have been wrapped in a handwritten description of the enemy’s secret battle plans—a revelation that gives Lincoln the supernatural sign he’s awaited in order to free the slaves
When millions worry over the nation losing its way, Medved’s sweeping narrative, bursting with dramatic events and lively portraits of unforgettable, occasionally little-known characters, affirms America as “fortune’s favorite,” shaped by a distinctive destiny from our beginnings to the present day.
more
Thank you, I needed the reflective historical point of view. We have been so desensitized to America’s values and valor; it is good to get a tune up like your book.
Really enjoyed reading this book. Lots of interesting information and well written
American history that was never taught in school
Gives important information that we need to remember at this stage in the American experience. There is so much negativity by the left who do not know history, nor what this nation stands on. It really is thought provoking!
Many instances of God intervening on behalf of our country that you sure didn’t hear about in school! A very interesting read.
W hat an interesting way to be reminded that our country was born on Christian principles and would not have been successful if not for divine intervention!
It’s popular today to agonize over America’s exceptional history and express shame over our national faults. Author Medved states this “confuses the reality of American exceptionalism with fantasies about American perfectionism. To argue that a higher power directed the United States to a unique and valuable role in the world isn’t the same as insisting that our national saga unfolded without flaw, folly, or failure.” As the author explains, the founders and builders of our nation believed deeply in heavenly favor for their efforts and he provides excellent insight to critical moments in our history and how people’s strengths and weaknesses impacted the results. This is an excellent book for those who believe in a loving God who guides imperfect people to accomplish his will despite their limitations and failures. I’m not normally interested in history, but this book was so compelling I could hardly put it down.
Learned so much American history I never knew. I would finish a chapter and be totally amazed at what I’d just read and think, “that was my favorite chapter.” Then I’d read the next chapter and be equally amazed.
This book demonstrates that those who deny that God was working in and through the founding of our nation – the great USA – are blind. Medved reveals story after story of how the providence of God was working to build our nation. From the Pilgrims to Abraham Lincoln – some stories you’ve heard and others that are new – well documented and a must fun read for those who are people of faith that want to see how God has worked inspite of many.
I enjoyed the historical perspective of this book. Much I did not know but now it makes sense.
hard to read – did not finish
I enjoy reading new outlooks on history. The examples in this book that showed Gods involvement in the history of the US were interesting, but I wonder about all the incidents that were not discussed. Do we believe that God saved George Washington and Andre Jackson from assassination but not Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy?
Interesting read about the many instances (as perceived by many who were experiencing the times) of Divine intervention in the history of the early, formative years of the United States.
A great way to look at the American experience
The overall direction of the book is nice because it helps to get a sense of the divine blessings upon the USA, but it comes to close to saying divine blessing no matter what the nation does. In other words, it goes to far. Plus, his citing of David Barton in the fourth chapter undermines the credibility of the entire work. In short, there is some value in the over-arching theme but don’t bank on the details.
Well written and documented. Fascinating history.
one of the best I ever read and i liked the religious aspect