American Studies Anthology

A rich and rewarding subject of popular imagination, the United States is compellingly portrayed in this first anthology designed specifically for American studies courses. Offering an indispensable introduction to the long and varied history of generalizing about America, leading scholar Richard Horwitz has compiled the definitive anthology for American studies and American culture courses. Brimming with imaginative selections, the reader contains essays, plays, songs, comedy, legal documents, speeches, and poems by a rich array of authors-both domestic and international-whose writings echo recurring American themes. Collectively, the anthology identifies the ways in which scholars and popularizers have attempted to characterize America. Horwitz's insightful introduction summarizes key themes in the study of American culture as he traces the history of the field as well as current controversies. He avoids heavy jargon yet presents a nuanced view of the foundational works in American studies. Preceding the readings with concise, informative introductions, Horwitz seamlessly guides the reader through this distinctive collection.

A rich and rewarding subject of popular imagination, the United States is compellingly portrayed in this first anthology designed specifically for American studies courses. Offering an indispensable introduction to the long and varied history of generalizing about America, leading scholar Richard Horwitz has compiled the definitive anthology for American studies and American culture courses. Brimming with imaginative selections, the reader contains essays, plays, songs, comedy, legal documents, speeches, and poems by a rich array of authors-both domestic and international-whose writings echo recurring American themes. Horwitz's insightful introduction and headnotes seamlessly guide the reader to an understanding of both America and American studies.

Booknews

This anthology, designed specifically for American studies courses, introduces the history of generalizing about America, with essays, plays, songs, comedy, legal documents, speeches, and poems by international and domestic writers from various periods of history. Each selection includes a brief introduction. An overall introduction summarizes key themes in the study of American culture, looking at the history of the field and at current controversies. Horwitz is professor, graduate director, and director of public outreach for the American Studies Department at the University of Iowa. The anthology lacks a subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Richard P. Horwitz is professor of American studies at the University of Iowa, visiting scholar of American civilization at Brown University, and senior fellow in the Coastal Institute at the University of Rhode Island.