American History

In this combined edition, the full content of volumes 1 and 2 of Thomas Kidd’s American History are brought together in a single, accessible textbook. This sweeping narrative spans the full scope of American history from the first Native American societies to the political and cultural struggles of contemporary times. In clear, readable prose, and with attention to well-known and more obscure figures from American history, Kidd gives a robust account of the events, people, and ideas that gave shape to our nation.

Students will come away from American History well-informed, and better prepared to wrestle with the political and cultural changes that have dramatically transformed contemporary American life.

Praise for American History
“Thomas Kidd has succeeded well in providing a high quality American history text that integrates the usual political and social history with its religious dimensions.” 
—George Marsden, professor of history emeritus, University of Notre Dame
  
“Thomas Kidd explores the entirety of American history in this carefully researched and clearly written text. It is an ideal book for students new to American history as well as for older readers who would like a sprightly, objective, and discerning refresher.” 
—Mark Noll, professor of history emeritus, University of Notre Dame, and research professor of history, Regent College

 

Thomas S. Kidd is distinguished professor of history, James Vardaman Endowed Professor of History, and associate director, Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. He also serves as distinguished visiting professor of church history at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
 

Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1 Early American Encounters
Chapter 2 England and Its Colonies
Chapter 3 A Maturing Colonial Society
Chapter 4 The Coming of Independence
Chapter 5 The American Revolution and the Constitution
Chapter 6 The Early National Period
Chapter 7 A Growing Republic
Chapter 8 The Age of Andrew Jackson
Chapter 9 The American West
Chapter 10 Learning and Belief in Antebellum America
Chapter 11 The Crisis of the 1850s
Chapter 12 Secession and the Coming of the Civil War 
Chapter 13 The Civil War Begins
Chapter 14 To Appomattox Courthouse
Chapter 15 Reconstruction 
Chapter 16 Reforging the Nation
Chapter 17 The Gilded Age
Chapter 18 Populism and Empire 
Chapter 19 The Progressive Era 
Chapter 20 World War I
Chapter 21 The Roaring Twenties 
Chapter 22 The Great Depression and the New Deal
Chapter 23 World War II 
Chapter 24 The Cold War
Chapter 25 The 1950s 
Chapter 26 Civil Rights and the Great Society
Chapter 27 Nixon, Watergate, and Carter 
Chapter 28 Reagan’s America
Chapter 29 George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and a Changing America
Chapter 30 The Age of Terrorism 

Illustration Credits 
Index