Twenty-five Books That Shaped America

How White Whales, Green Lights, and Restless Spirits Forged Our National Identity

by Thomas C. Foster

On Sale: 05/24/2011

Twenty-five Books That Shaped America

How White Whales, Green Lights, and Restless Spirits Forged Our National Identity

by Thomas C. Foster

On Sale: 05/24/2011

Format:

About the Book

From the author of the New York Times bestselling How to Read Literature Like a Professor comes a highly entertaining and informative book on the twenty-five works of literature that have most shaped the American character. 

Thomas C. Foster applies his much-loved combination of wit, know-how, and analysis to explain how each work has shaped our very existence as readers, students, teachers, and Americans. He illuminates how books such as The Last of the MohicansMoby-DickMy ÁntoniaThe Great GatsbyThe Maltese FalconTheir Eyes Were Watching GodOn the RoadThe Crying of Lot 49, and others captured an American moment, how they influenced our perception of nationhood and citizenship, and what about them endures in the American character. Twenty-five Books That Shaped America is a fun and enriching guide to America through its literature.

Critical Praise

“Funny, challenging, clear, and always insightful, this intriguing book will make you think again about what it means to be an American.” — Janice A. Radway, author of A Feeling for Books

“Many readers will wish they had a high-school English teacher as cheery and engaged as Foster.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Foster is a witty, quirkily provocative, and perceptive literary critic.” — Publishers Weekly

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Resources

Product Details

  • ISBN: 9780061834400
  • ISBN 10: 0061834408
  • Imprint: Harper Perennial
  • On Sale: 05/24/2011
  • Pages: 352
  • List Price:21.99 CAD
  • BISAC1 : EDUCATION / Teaching Methods & Materials / Language Arts
  • BISAC2 : EDUCATION / History
  • BISAC3 : LITERARY CRITICISM / Books & Reading

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