The Sum of Our Dreams: A History of America

by Louis P. Masur

In The Sum of Our Dreams, Louis P. Masur offers a sweeping yet compact history of America from its beginnings to the current moment. For general readers seeking an accessible, single-volume account, one that challenges but does not overwhelm, and which distills and connects the major events and figures in the country's past in a single narrative, here is that book.

Evoking Barack Obama's belief that America remains the "sum of its dreams," Masur locates the origin of those dreams-of freedom, equality, and opportunity-and traces their progress chronologically, illuminating the nation's struggle over time to articulate and fulfill their promise. Moving from the Colonial Era, to the Revolutionary Period, the Early Republic, and through the Civil War, Masur turns his attention to Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Age, World War One, the Great Depression, World War Two, the Cold War, Civil Rights, Vietnam, and Watergate, and then laying out clearly and concisely what underlies the divisiveness that has characterized American civic life over the last forty years-and now more than ever. Above all, however, Masur lets the story of American tell itself.

Inspired by James Baldwin's observation that "American history is longer, larger, more beautiful and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it," he expands our notion of that history while identifying its individual threads. The Sum of Our Dreams will be the new go-to single volume for anyone wanting a foundational understanding of the nation's past, and its present.

Genres: History, American History, Audiobook, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Louis P. Masur, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and History at Rutgers University, through an outstanding online lecture "Hamilton vs. Jefferson: The Rivalry That Shaped America" sponsored by One Day University. His latest book, The Sum of Our Dreams, provides a thorough introduction to (or review of) American history, beginning in colonial days and concluding with the Trump administration. Masur's writing style is clear and conversational, and he doesn't shy away from controversial topics. Although much of the information in this book was familiar to me, some of the details were not, and even the familiar parts proved to be interesting and enlightening in Masur's treatment.

[Wim Reinalda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makkelijk leesbaar boek, vanaf de eerste settler die een Engelse kolonie wilde stichten, tot en met het presidentschap van Trump. Niet heel diepgravend of theoretiserend, naarmate de actualiteit van het nu nadert wordt de toon steeds meer journalistiek van aard. De rode draad is steeds dat de het gedroomde land, het beloofde land voor sommigen, altijd staat tegenover het land van de meerderheid van slachtoffers van racisme, geweld en armoede. Vooral het racisme is bijna op elke pagina aanwezig, vanaf de eerste dag tot en met de laatste dag, als een etterende puist die maar niet tot rust wil komen. Naast een ook steeds aanwezige stroom van mensen met goede bedoelingen, gedrevenheid en een onstuitbare wil om het goede te doen. Begrijp ik Amerika nu? Heel misschien een klein beetje meer…

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an audio book from OCC library system.
Excellent book giving a really good history of the US. Very interesting. I probably knew quite a bit of this but it was good to hear it completely chronologically. Even worth another read in the future.
Well read by the voice, Jonathan Yen, great intonation which helped greatly with understanding.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, some parts were a bit more detailed than I was interested in, other parts the opposite (I would often consult Wikipedia for some extra context at those times). But overall this book gave a really good overview of American history.

[Axel Wessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great synopsis of American history. Makes you understand their way of thinking and acting.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very selective U.S. history which the author tries to unify with the theme of the American dream. Too much political detail for me.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview.

[Brandon DeJong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, it was relatively entertaining for a history book. Not much else to say about it, honestly. I had to read it for my college history class, and that's the only reason I read it, and I don't think I would read it again outside of a classroom setting.

[Suzanne Konijnenbelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Te saai.