From fun facts and satire to more serious reflections, Americans never seem to tire of reading about America. The bestseller lists always seem to contain at least one book about the attitudes, traditions and the people that shape our country. In celebration of our country’s 237th birthday, we asked around for some recommendations on an ever-growing list of books about the great U.S. of A. When you’ve had your fill of barbeques, sun and fireworks, you can settle into the shade and keep up the patriotic spirit with one of these books.
For those who like a humorous spin on their American tales, we recommend Stephen Colbert’s I Am America (And So Can You!). Judging from its 24 weeks on the NY Times Bestseller list, we aren’t the only ones that liked this fun riff on American life.
If you’ve ever dreamed about creating your own state and banning all annoying people this next book is for you. Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania, and Other States That Never Made It is full of quirky facts about America’s might-have-beens.
In his recommended reading list for 2013, Chapman president, Jim Doti, recommended a book about another president, Robert Caro’s The Passage of Power. This is the fourth installment of Robert Caro’s ambitious, award-winning five-volume biography of Lyndon Baines Johnson. The Passage of Power covers the years LBJ served as vice president under JFK and his first few months as president after President Kennedy’s assassination.
To wrap up our July 4th inspired reading list we’ll end with the only book that was recommended multiple times, Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States. Zinn’s most well known work has become required reading in many classrooms. Even if it wasn’t required in yours, this wide ranging history is well worth a read.
Happy 4th and let us know in the comments if we missed any of your favorites.
