What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 (Oxford History of the United States)

What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 (Oxford History of the United States)

Book is in very good condition! There is only light wear. The pages are clean with no marks.

The Oxford History of the United States is widely regarded as the most esteemed multi-volume historical account of our nation. Daniel Walker Howe, a distinguished historian, has authored a critically acclaimed addition to this series, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. His book, titled "What Hath God Wrought," delves into the period from the battle of New Orleans to the conclusion of the Mexican-American War. This era marked a significant expansion of the United States, as it acquired territories stretching to the Pacific and secured control over the most prosperous regions of North America. Howe's narrative provides a panoramic view of the advancements in transportation and communication that facilitated the expansion of American influence. The advent of railroads, canals, newspapers, and the telegraph revolutionized travel times and facilitated the rapid spread of information. These innovations, in turn, gave rise to the emergence of mass political parties and played a pivotal role in transforming America from a predominantly rural country into a diversified economy, where commerce and industry thrived alongside agriculture. The author skillfully interweaves political and military events with social, economic, and cultural history. While he examines the rise of Andrew Jackson and the Democratic party, Howe argues that the true prophets of America's future were John Quincy Adams and other Whigs. These individuals advocated for public education, economic integration, and the rights of marginalized groups such as Native Americans, women, and African-Americans. Furthermore, Howe delves into the significant influence of religion on various aspects of American life during this period. He explores how religion shaped attitudes towards slavery and anti-slavery movements, women's rights, political ideologies, education, and literature. The culmination of Howe's narrative centers around the controversial, yet skillfully executed war against Mexico, which aimed to acquire California and Texas for the United States. This section of the book generates considerable debate and discussion. In recognition of its exceptional quality, "What Hath God Wrought" was named a finalist for the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and won the New-York Historical Society American History Book Prize. This book is just one example of the exceptional volumes within The Oxford History of the United States series. The series has garnered widespread acclaim, with three Pulitzer Prize winners, a New York Times bestseller, and recipients of the Bancroft and Parkman Prizes. The Atlantic Monthly has lauded this series as the most distinguished and cutting-edge in American historical scholarship. Under the editorial guidance of David M. Kennedy, this renowned series skillfully integrates social, political, economic, cultural, diplomatic, and military history into a coherent and captivating narrative.

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