Making America: The Society and Culture of the United States / Edition 1

by Luther S. Luedtke

Overview

In this richly interdisciplinary work twenty-eight of the nation's leading critics and scholars offer a comprehensive exploration of American society and culture. Each outstanding in his or her own field, the contributors address "America" from a diversity of disciplines, personal histories, regions, and political perspectives.

Making America is a dynamic account of the American experience, from matters of landscape, immigration, and urbanization; to manners, literature, and the arts; social organization and values; religion, science, philosophy, and law. An introduction and twenty-six skillfully written chapters combine historical developments with critical analyses in a broad portrait of the United States. Taken in sequence, the essays will provoke readers to experience the still-evolving society and complex cultures of the American people. Since the chapters are equally valuable when considered individually, the construction of this volume also encourages selective reading.

Refreshingly accessible, Making America is essential for students and scholars across the field of American Studies and for general readers concerned with cultural literacy. Each chapter includes an extensive descriptive bibliography for those who wish to explore particular topics in more depth. In addition, a fine selection of maps, paintings, and photographs illustrate the intricate structure of American life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807843703
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	07/20/1992
Edition description:	1
Pages:	584
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Luther S. Luedtke is author of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Romance of the Orient and editor and coauthor of The Study of American Culture.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Every public and university library should own Making America.—Journal of American Culture



Impressive in scope and size. . . . These essays by outstanding scholars, and the suggestions for further reading about each essay, make this a highly valuable reader for American studies and American history courses.—Journal of American Ethnic History



Making America assembles a group of well-written essays that chart the course of American Studies today. . . . The organization is clear and useful, and the range of subjects, from geography and demographics, through culture (imaginatively including manners as well as art, architecture, literature, mass media, and sports) to social and philosophical subjects, offers breadth as well as depth in the study of American culture.—Joy Kasson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill



There can be few if any American scholars who have had the breadth and depth of experience in other cultures that Luther Luedtke has had. His Making America has had a distinguished life instructing others about us, and it is good that Americans may now learn about themselves from it as well. Many of the individual essays are destined to become classics.—Robin W. Winks, Yale University

Editorial Reviews

Every public and university library should own "Making America".

"Journal of American Culture"

Many of the individual essays are destined to become classics.

Robin W. Winks, Yale University

"Making America" assembles a group of well-written essays that chart the course of American Studies today.

Joy Kasson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

""Making America" assembles a group of well-written essays that chart the course of American Studies today.

Joy Kasson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"

"Many of the individual essays are destined to become classics.

Robin W. Winks, Yale University"

Impressive in scope and size.

"Journal of American Ethnic History"

From the Publisher