A Documentary History of the United States

"A Documentary History of the Unites States," edited byRichard D. Heffner, is an excellent anthology of historic texts. Thefirst edition of this essential book appeared in 1952, and new andenlarged editions have gradually appeared over the decades. The textsin this book include many key documents that have shaped United Stateshistory. There is an emphasis on political and legal documents: theDeclaration of Independence, several key Supreme Court decisions,Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Clinton's 1998 State of the UnionAddress, and much more. There are also many texts fromnon-governmental individuals and bodies: the first issue of theanti-slavery periodical "The Liberator," William Faulkner's1949 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, the 1966 Statement of Purpose ofthe National Organization for Women, and much more. As I said, thisbook has "grown" considerably over the decades. Aparticularly impressive enlargement marks the 6th edition, which adds100 pages of new documents. Among these new additions are BookerT. Washington's Atlanta Exposition Address, the Articles ofImpeachment against Richard M. Nixon, and the 1994 Republican"Contract with America." The book as the whole is more thanjust a collection of documents. Rather, it feels like fragments from agreat epic story: the story of the United States. In this book you seethis nation and its citizens in all of our weakness and our strength,our foolishness and our wisdom. We see the struggles to deal as anation with slavery, war, women's rights, economic injustice, andother controversial issues. And we see the development of a UnitedStates "tradition," a heritage of pivotal documents whichsometimes comment on earlier documents. Yes, I'm sure most readerscould name worthy texts that they feel should have been included inthis book; maybe some of them will appear in future editions. Afterall, this excellent anthology is truly a "living book." Notjust for teachers and students, this book should be in the library ofevery serious citizen of the United States.

Read the words that shaped the character of our nation and changed the history of the world. From the rousing Declaration of Independence to the inspiring speeches of our modern presidents, this book has it all. Students and scholars alike will find this an excellent reference tool. This book should be in the hands and minds of every American who loves liberty.