As Various as Their Land: The Everyday Lives of Eighteenth-Century Americans

by Stephanie Grauman Wolf

In 1700, ten sparsely settled colonies clung precariously to the Atlantic coast of the vast American continent, each far more firmly attached to the Old World by ties of politics, economy, and culture than they were to each other. By 1800, sixteen states, united by a common government, were poised to exploit the seemingly endless resources of a new and independent nation. Throughout this century of enormous changes and challenges, one factor had remained constant: no single description captured the majority of the new country's inhabitants; no one lifestyle was embraced by a "typical American."Rich or poor, urban or rural, male or female, young or old, native-born or immigrant, northerner or southerner, slave or free, white or of color -- the mixture of these characteristics and a host of others within each individual determined the shape and opportunities of everyday life. Americans of the eighteenth century were in the end, as they had been in the beginning, as "various as their land."

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Allison C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always thought of myself as a history nerd. But when I picked up this book I realized what part of history I enjoy--and that's learning about everyday life and regular people. Of course politics, economics, etc. play a huge role in history and certainly color the lives of everyday people...but I just don't find those things as interesting.

As Various As Their Land is part of a series of books that looks at different eras of American History and describes what life--family, work, homes, communities--was like for normal people. A fascinating read that makes you glad to live in the 21st century.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is third book in this series that I have read and it was really a great study. I love history and this is the real history of our country with little politics.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As thorough and entertaining as possible, Wolf covers a century of America in which so much change and innovation occurred. She covers the different geographic areas of America in this social history, which I appreciated. This is an excellent read for an armchair historian or genealogist.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this for a class I'm teaching in the fall.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good history, and an excellent introduction to reading primary sources on Early America.

[Helen Azar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book which covers all aspects of 18th century life in America.