A Patriot’s History of the United States: From Columbus’s Great Discovery to the War on Terror by Larry Schweikart

One sentence summary:

A comprehensive and revisionist history of America that challenges traditional narratives and examines key events and figures from a conservative perspective.

Book genre:

Non-fiction, history, political science

Main topic of the book:

The history of the United States from its early discovery by Europeans to the War on Terror in the 21st century.

Key ideas:

• The United States is a unique and exceptional nation, founded on the principles of liberty and limited government.
• America’s past is often misrepresented and distorted by progressive historians who seek to undermine its greatness and promote their own political agendas.
• The American Revolution was a conservative, not a radical, movement and the Founding Fathers intended for the Constitution to restrict government power.
• Much of the country’s economic, technological, and cultural progress can be attributed to the free market and individual liberty.
• American military power has been responsible for the preservation of world freedom and the defeat of totalitarian threats.

Main parts of the book and a short summary:

1. Founding and Colonial America: This section explores the early interactions between Native Americans, European explorers and settlers, and the development of the American colonies. It challenges the traditional view that the colonies were founded as a haven for religious and economic freedom and instead argues that they were established as outposts of British civilization.
2. The American Revolution: Here, the author presents a conservative interpretation of the Revolution, arguing that it was not a radical movement but rather a conservative one that sought to preserve traditional English rights against an overreaching British government. It also delves into the debates and compromises that led to the writing and ratification of the Constitution.
3. Nation Building and Expansion: This section covers the period from the early Republic to the Civil War, examining key events such as the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War. It also explores the issue of slavery and its role in the lead up to the Civil War.
4. The Gilded Age and Progressive Era: Focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this part of the book challenges the commonly held progressive view of this period as one of great inequality and injustice. It argues that this was a time of unprecedented economic growth and technological advancement, and that government intervention actually hindered progress rather than promoted it.
5. America in the 20th Century: This section examines America’s rise as a global superpower, its involvement in two world wars, and the Cold War. It also covers key domestic issues such as the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, and the rise of the conservative movement.
6. The Modern Era: The final section of the book explores America’s role in international affairs in the post-Cold War world, including its involvement in the War on Terror and the challenges faced by the country in the 21st century.

Key takeaways:

• The United States was founded on conservative principles and has been a force for good in the world.
• Progressive narratives of American history often distort and downplay the country’s accomplishments.
• Individual liberty and free market principles have been crucial to America’s success.
• The government’s role should be limited and restrained, in line with the intentions of the Founding Fathers.

Author’s background and qualifications:

Larry Schweikart is a retired professor of history and a New York Times bestselling author. He has a PhD in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has written over 20 books on various historical topics, including business and economic history. He is known for his conservative viewpoints and has appeared on numerous media outlets, including Fox News and CSPAN.

Target audience:

Conservative readers, those interested in American history from a different perspective, and anyone looking for a comprehensive and engaging account of the United States’ past.

Publisher and first publication date:

Sentinel, 2004.

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