By Rachel Maddow

The no 1 manhattan instances bestseller that charts America’s harmful float right into a nation of perpetual conflict.

Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow's Drift argues that we've got drifted clear of America's unique beliefs and turn into a kingdom weirdly at peace with perpetual conflict. to appreciate how we've got arrived at this type of harmful position, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam battle to modern warfare in Afghanistan, alongside the best way exploring Reagan's radical presidency, the nerve-racking upward push of government authority, the slow outsourcing of our war-making features to non-public businesses, the plummeting percent of yankee households whose little ones struggle our consistent wars for us, or even the altering fortunes of G.I. Joe. finally, she indicates us simply how a lot we stand to lose by way of permitting the scope of yank army strength to overpower our political discourse. 
   Sensible but provocative, useless critical but seri­ously humorous, Drift will reinvigorate a "loud and jangly" political debate approximately our tremendous and confounding nationwide safeguard kingdom.

By Cheryl K. Chumley

The Founding Fathers would not realize the USA this present day. The God-given freedoms they championed within the invoice of Rights were chipped away through the years via an ever-intrusive executive bent on controlling all points of our lives within the identify of security and safety. NSA wire-tapping and knowledge assortment is Orwellian in its scope. The TSA, BLM, and IRS are all jockeying for regulate of our lives. warrantless searches are at the upward thrust or even inspired in a few communities. Free speech, the correct to endure palms, inner most estate, and freedom of faith all are below assault. The structure has been tossed at the comparable trash pile because the Bible. From site visitors gentle cameras to telephone tapping, from militarized police forces to concentrating on particular teams of individuals, the govt. is unfettered in its wish to regulate the yank humans. Police country united states chronicles how the US acquired to the purpose of being a de facto police country and what ended in an out-of-control govt that more and more ignores the structure and exploits 11th of September defense fears to justify spying on its electorate. lovely new surveillance know-how makes it more uncomplicated to maintain tabs at the humans. the purchase by means of police departments of significant battlefield apparatus emboldens officers to strong-arm these they need to be preserving. The failure of the scoop media to uphold the rights of voters units the level for this slippery slope. Police kingdom USA tells how we'd conquer and recapture our freedoms, as estimated through the Founding Fathers.

By Alison Bing, Alex Leviton, Brandon Presser, Karla Zimmerman

Gold Medal Winner for the Society of yank shuttle Writers Lowell Thomas trip Journalism Awards!

99 of the Country’s most sensible Trips!

Whether you’re an area searching for an extended weekend break out, or a customer seeking to discover, Lonely Planet’s journeys sequence bargains the easiest itineraries – and makes it effortless to devise the best journey time and again.

Includes the Mid-Atlantic, New England, the South, Florida, the good Lakes, the nice Plains, Texas, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, California and the Pacific Northwest

Easy-to-use maps for each journey, plus using instances and directions

Explore the country with journeys starting from days to 2 weeks

Theme icons make discovering the precise journey basic – it doesn't matter what your interest

Local experts proportion their favourite journey rules, together with a food-lovers’ travel of Northern California from Alice Waters and a musician’s travel of the Midwest tune scene

Tune in at the highway with our nearby tune playlists

Family-friendly and pet-friendly listings throughout

Green index lists the main environmentally pleasant recommendations around the country

By Dale Vinnedge

Yankee whaling, shore whaling, and smooth whaling have been occasionally happening concurrently. each one form of whaling went via sessions of discovery, balance, after which a steady lessen because the items misplaced their markets or the variety of whales started to wane as a few species moved towards advertisement if now not genuine extinction as a result of over-fishing. Small whaling operations from California, known as shore whaling, endured from the 1850s till Secretary of trade Maurice Stans (19691972) whistled down the in 1971.

By Robert E. Weir

In the us, social category ranks with gender, race, and ethnicity in opting for the values, actions, political habit, and existence probabilities of members. such a lot students agree at the significance of sophistication, even though they generally disagree on what it's and the way it affects americans. This A-Z encyclopedia, the 1st to target category within the usa, surveys the breadth of sophistication strata all through our background, for top university scholars to most of the people. type is illuminated in 525 essay entries on major humans, phrases, theories, courses, associations, eras, ethnic teams, locations, and masses more.

This valuable set is an authoritative, attention-grabbing resource for in-demand info on key facets of our tradition and society and is helping researchers to slender down a wide subject. type is printed from angles that regularly intersect: via heritage, with entries similar to Founding Fathers, the commercial Revolution, Westward enlargement; via economics, with entries reminiscent of Dot.com Bubble, Robber Barons, Chicago university of Economics, Lottery, salary Slaves, monetary equivalent chance Act, inventory marketplace, Inheritance Taxes, Wal-Mart, Welfare; via social symptoms resembling Conspicuous intake, the Hamptons, WASP, Homelessness, Social mountaineering; via politics with entries akin to Anarchism, Braceros, background origin, Communist occasion, Kennedy relatives; and during tradition via entries equivalent to kingdom tune, the good Gatsby, tv, and Studs Terkel. category is additionally approached from ethnic, sexual, spiritual, academic, and local angles. specific beneficial properties comprise an creation, timeline, recommended examining in keeping with access, cross-references, reader's consultant to issues, and thorough index. pattern entries: Immigration, schooling, exertions stream, Pink-Collar staff, AFL-CIO, moves, nice melancholy, Jacob Riis, Literature, the Rockefellers, Slavery, tune, Academia, kinfolk, Suburbia, McMansions, Taxation, Segregation, Racism, Ivy League, Robber Barons, Philanthropists, Socialites, faith, Welfare, the yank Dream, Dot.com Millionaires, equivalent chance, Founding Fathers, salary Slaves, business Revolution, Capitalism, Economics, Appalachia, Horse Racing, Gender, Communist social gathering, kingdom golf equipment, faith, American Indians, Conspicuous intake, Studs Terkel, movie, Class-Consciousness, paintings Ethic, Media, tv, Puritans, Homelessness, prestige Symbols, Assimilation/Melting Pot, paintings, Westward growth, Poverty, the nice Gatsby, inventory marketplace, operating terrible, Gated groups, the Hamptons, Social mountaineering, Crime, Lottery, Elitism, WASP, American Dream, Noam Chomsky, Fortune Magazine

By Terence T. Finn

War—organized violence opposed to an enemy of the state—seems half and parcel of the yankee trip. certainly, the us was once verified via violence as traditional voters from New Hampshire to Georgia spoke back George Washington’s name to arms.

Since then, warfare has turn into a staple of yank heritage. Counting the warfare for Independence, the us has fought the defense force of different international locations not less than twelve instances, averaging a big clash each 20 years. In so doing, the ambitions were easy: improve the reason for freedom, safeguard U.S. pursuits, and impose America’s will upon a afflicted global. as a rule, the implications were winning as America’s army has accounted itself good. but the associated fee has been excessive, in either blood and treasure. americans have fought and died round the globe—on land, at sea, and within the air. definitely, their activities have formed the area during which we live.

In this complete assortment, Terence T. Finn presents a collection of narratives—each concise and readable—on the twelve significant wars the United States has fought. He explains what occurred, and why such locations as Saratoga and Antietam, Manila Bay and halfway are vital to an knowing of America’s previous. Readers will simply be capable of brush up on their background and acquaint themselves with these members and occasions that experience helped outline the USA of the US.

By Andrew J. Bacevich

Essays through a various and exceptional staff of historians, political scientists, and sociologists research the alarms, emergencies, controversies, and confusions that experience characterised America's chilly battle, the post-Cold conflict period of the Nineties, and modern-day "Global warfare on Terror." This "Long conflict" has left its imprint on almost each point of yank existence; by means of contemplating it as an entire, The lengthy War is the 1st quantity to take a really finished examine America's reaction to the national-security obstacle touched off by way of the occasions of worldwide warfare II.

Contributors give some thought to subject matters starting from grand procedure and strategic bombing to ideology and economics and examine the altering American method of battle and Hollywood's unusually constant depiction of usa citizens at struggle. They evaluation the evolution of the national-security equipment and the position of dissenters who seen the myriad actions of that equipment with dismay. They take a clean examine the lengthy War's civic implications and its influence on civil-military kin.

More than an army background, The lengthy War examines the tips, regulations, and associations that experience built because the usa claimed the position of world superpower. This protracted drawback has turn into a possible everlasting, if now not defining element of up to date American existence. In breaking down the outdated and synthetic limitations that experience routinely divided the postwar interval into neat ancient devices, this quantity presents a greater realizing of the evolution of the us and U.S. coverage given that global battle II and provides a clean standpoint on our present nationwide safety predicament.

By Patrick Tyler

The White condo and the center East―from the chilly conflict to the struggle on Terror

The heart East is the start and the tip of U.S. overseas coverage: occasions there impact our alliances, make or holiday presidencies, govern the cost of oil, and draw us into struggle. however it used to be no longer continually so―and as Patrick Tyler exhibits during this exciting chronicle of yank misadventures within the area, the tale of yank presidents' dealings there's one in all combined factors, skulduggery, deceit, and outright foolishness, in addition to of policymaking and international relations.

Tyler attracts on newly opened presidential files to dramatize the method of the center East throughout U.S. presidencies from Eisenhower to George W. Bush. he's taking us into the Oval place of work and indicates how our leaders made momentous judgements; even as, the sweep of this narrative―from the Suez difficulty to the Iran hostage difficulty to George W. Bush's disaster in Iraq―lets us see the large photo as by no means earlier than. Tyler tells a narrative of presidents being drawn into the affairs of the zone opposed to their will, being stored in the dead of night by way of neighborhood potentates, being led off target through greedy subordinates, and making judgements concerning the inner affairs of nations they not often comprehend. exceptionally, he exhibits how each one president has controlled to undo the regulations of his predecessor, usually fomenting either anger opposed to the United States at the streets of the sector and confusion at domestic.

A global of hassle is the center East publication we'd like now: compulsively readable, freed from cant and beliefs, and wealthy in perception in regards to the very human demanding situations a brand new president will face as she or he attempts to revive America's status within the region.

By Miles Harvey

During this vibrantly informed, meticulously researched booklet, Miles Harvey finds the most attention-grabbing and ignored lives in American historical past. Like The Island of misplaced Maps, his bestselling ebook a few mythical map thief, Painter in a Savage Land is a compelling seek into the mysteries of the earlier. this can be the exciting tale of Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues, the 1st ecu artist to trip to what's now the continental usa with the explicit goal of recording its wonders in pencil and paint. Le Moyne’s photographs, which continue to exist this day in a chain of surprising engravings, supply a unprecedented glimpse of local American existence on the pivotal time of first touch with the Europeans–most of whom arrived with the preconceived idea that the hot international used to be a nearly legendary position during which whatever was once possible.

In 1564 Le Moyne and 3 hundred different French Protestants landed off the coast of Florida, hoping to set up the 1st everlasting eu payment within the sprawling territory that will turn into the U.S.. Their quest resulted in grotesque violence, yet Le Moyne was once one of many few colonists to flee, returning around the Atlantic to create dozens of illustrations of the neighborhood local Americans–works of lasting significance to students. this present day, he's additionally well-known as an influential early painter of flora and plants.
A Zelig-like personality, Le Moyne labored for the most sought after figures of his time, together with Sir Walter Raleigh. Harvey’s learn, in addition, indicates a desirable hyperlink to the infamous Mary Queen of Scots. principally forgotten till the 20 th century, Le Moyne’s items became more and more wanted within the artwork world–at a 2005 public sale, a formerly unknown ebook of his botanical drawings bought for 1000000 dollars.
In re-creating the lifestyles and legacy of Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues, Miles Harvey weaves a story of either highbrow intrigue and swashbuckling drama. Replete with shipwrecks, mutinies, spiritual wars, pirate raids, and Indian assaults, Painter in a Savage Land is really a travel de strength of narrative nonfiction.

Praise for Painter in a Savage Land

"Inspired, attractive, and absolutely unique. Miles Harvey is an archeologist of forgotten tales, a grasp of discovering striking characters folded into the crevices of withered files. In Painter in a Savage Land, he has breathed existence right into a exciting and not likely story that, after all, connects us all." --Robert Kurson, writer of Shadow Divers and Crashing Through
"Like a few cute sleuth of the esoteric--a kind of scholarly Columbo--Miles Harvey has a manner of stumbling onto interesting historic stories completely ignored by way of others. With equivalent components rigor and sweetness, he has transported us to a shocking dawn-world while a bewildered Europe used to be making its first contacts with a extraordinary and susceptible continent." --Hampton aspects, writer of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers
"A great brew of artwork, exploration and exploitation. Miles Harvey's tale bristles with surprises on each page." --Laurence Bergreen, writer of Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu and Over the sting of the realm: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
"Miles Harvey has outdone himself with this soaking up account of the existence and paintings of a mysterious French artist who was once the 1st ecu to list visible impressions of North the USA. Harvey's research into the curious lifestyles, swashbuckling adventures and enduring legacy of Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues is attractive on a few compelling degrees, adeptly performed with kind, beauty and a certain feel of story." --Nicholas A. Basbanes, writer of A mild insanity, one of the lightly Mad and A elegance of Letters
"Insatiable interest and fierce pursuit of truth mix to create a swish exploration of worlds previous and new." --Kirkus Reviews
"A attention-grabbing exploration of the imprecise lifestyles and violent instances of Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues. … Harvey's quantity hits the candy spot for either event buffs and heritage fans." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"One remarkable discovery after one other …  Harvey's groundbreaking, fun-to-read biography blows airborne dirt and dust off major swathes of background and makes for a rousing read." --Booklist (starred review)
"[A] rip-roaring account of Le Moyne's adventures. ... it is a testomony to Harvey's examine and magnificence that he can powerfully evoke a guy approximately whom so few documentary lines remain." --Entertainment Weekly

By Jonathan Darman

In politics, the guy who takes the top spot after a landslide isn't status on reliable ground.
 
during this riveting paintings of narrative nonfiction, Jonathan Darman tells the tale of 2 giants of yank politics, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, and exhibits how, from 1963 to 1966, those men—the related age, and pushed through an identical heroic ambitions—changed American politics forever.
 
The liberal and the conservative. The deal-making arm tornado and the cool communicator. The Texas rancher and the Hollywood megastar. Opposites in politics and elegance, Johnson and Reagan shared a defining impulse: to set forth a grand tale of the United States, a narrative within which he may be the hero. within the tumultuous days after the Kennedy assassination, Johnson and Reagan each one, in flip, seized the opportunity to supply the rustic a brand new imaginative and prescient for the long run. Bringing to existence their brilliant personalities and the apprehensive temper of the USA in a considerably transformative time, Darman indicates how, in promising the very unlikely, Johnson and Reagan together dismantled the lengthy American culture of consensus politics and ushered in a brand new period of fracture. historical past involves existence in Darman’s brilliant, fly-on-the wall storytelling.
 
while Johnson publicly revels in his triumphs, we see him develop enthusiastic about darkish forces he believes are out to spoil him, whereas his spouse, woman fowl, urges her husband to place apart his paranoia and spot the realm because it rather is. and because the struggle in Vietnam threatens to overhaul his presidency, we witness Johnson desperately suffering to compensate with ever extra extravagant grants for his nice Society.
 
at the different facet of the rustic, Ronald Reagan, a fading actor years faraway from his Hollywood glory, progressively turns towards a brand new profession in California politics. We watch him offering speeches to crowds who're determined for a brand new chief. And we see him wielding his well-honed intuition for timing, expecting Johnson’s majestic supplies to end up empty earlier than he steps again into the highlight, on his lengthy trip towards the presidency.
 
From Johnson’s election in 1964, the best popular-vote landslide in American heritage, to the pivotal 1966 midterms, while Reagan burst forth onto the nationwide degree, Landslide brings alive a rustic transformed—by riots, protests, the increase of tv, the shattering of consensus—and the 2 towering personalities whose offerings in these moments could reverberate in the course of the kingdom for many years to come.
 
Praise for Landslide
 
“Richly special . . . Landslide is a vibrant retelling of a tumultuous 3 years in American background, and Mr. Darman captures in complete the personalities and factors of 2 of the 20 th century’s so much consequential politicians.”—The long island Times
 
“Novel or even fabulous . . . Landslide deftly reminds readers that Johnson and Reagan either trafficked in grandiose oratory and promoted utopian visions at odds with the social complexity of contemporary America.”—The Washington Post
 
“Riveting . . . Darman portrays [Johnson and Reagan] as polar opposites of political allure. . . . lively through the crafty perception that they have been males of unhappiness headed towards an appointment with historical past . . . A story approximately myths and a kingdom that believed them, a couple of international of a part century in the past now long gone forever.”—The Boston Globe
 
“Alert to the subtleties of politics and political background, Darman, a former correspondent for Newsweek, nimbly explores fantasy and self-delusion on the optimum levels.”—The manhattan instances ebook Review