Thomas S. Kidd - American History: 1492 – Present

Thomas Kidds American History is a unique and significant contribution to the field. The author is especially masterful in his ability to highlight the intellectual and religious threads running through the tapestry of American history. Written in lucid prose, and interspersing narrative and commentary, these two volumes will captivate the imagination of a generation of students.

Bruce Ashford , provost and dean of faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

Every teacher knows the frustration of trying to find a good textbook. The annual ritual makes them doubt any textbook exists that engages students, balances coverage with detail, and avoids the dreariness of ideological fashions. American history textbooks are among the worst offenders. Thomas Kidd has taken on the challenge and has written a survey of American history that goes beyond solving the problem. He highlights the experiences of ordinary people whose lives intersected with great events, brings religion back in from the margins of national life, and equips students to understand the often confusing world into which they were born.

Richard Gamble , professor of history, Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Chair of History and Politics, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI

In this volume of early American History through Civil War and Reconstruction, Kidd not only provides students with an exceptionally well-documented account of our political history, but an astute assessment of the Christian movements that shaped the course of our nation, be they the Puritans of New England or the evangelicals of the abolitionist movements. This clear and even-handed account cuts against the banality we find in most history textbooks today.

David Goodwin , president, Association of Classical Christian Schools

This American history textbook sets a new standard for balanced treatment of political and cultural issues. Brisk and readable, it gives coverage of American history all the way through the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the election of Donald Trump, which so many textbooks dont reach. This new narrative is particularly valuable for balancing attention to minority groups and events crucial to the shaping and development of Christian culture and its impact on the main events of American history. It is about time that an American history textbook took notice of figures such as C. S. Lewis and Pope John Paul II and their transformative influence on American religion.

Susan Hanssen , associate professor of history, history department chair, University of Dallas, Dallas, TX

Thomas Kidd is a talented historian with a unique gift for in-depth research and engaging writing. This work is no exception. In this two-volume set, Kidd applies his skills to an area where they are desperately needed in America todaycivics education. Smart and fair, nuanced and balanced, Kidd takes us from the American Founding to the Civil War, from populism to progressivism, from World War I to the Cold War, from the Roaring Twenties to the Great Society, from Andrew Jackson to FDR, from Reagan to Clinton, from 1492 to September 11. Elegantly and attractively written and illustrated, this text is not to be missed for your student.

Paul Kengor , professor of political science Grove City College, Grove City, PA

Thomas Kidd has succeeded well in providing a high quality American history text that integrates the usual political and social history with its religious dimensions. Kidd writes in a clear accessible manner and is always well informed. He is judiciously balanced in his evaluations.

George Marsden , professor of history emeritus, University of Notre Dame

Thomas Kidd, who has written excellent books on historical individuals like Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry, now explores the entirety of American history in this carefully researched and clearly written text. It is an ideal book for students new to American history as well as for older readers who would like a sprightly, objective, and discerning refresher.

Mark Noll , professor of history emeritus, University of Notre Dame, and research professor of history, Regent College

There has long been a need for a survey textbook that gives balanced attention to the important role of Christianity in American history. Thomas Kidds American History admirably meets that need and much more. Well written, accessible, interesting, beautifully illustrated, and academically sound, this usable and one-of-a-kind resource deserves a wide audience in both the secular and Christian college classrooms.

Samuel Smith , graduate program director, history department chair, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Kudos to Thomas Kidd for returning Christianity to the narrative of American history. At the same time, he has conveyed in his measured, balanced, and accessible style, the multiethnic and multicultural tapestry that American history is, and always has been.

H. Paul Thompson Jr. , dean of humanities, history department chair, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC

Thomas Kidd has spent years teaching us how to think Christianly and historically about our shared past. American History is an achievement worthy of all that we have come to expect from Professor Kidds pen. Thorough, engaging, and mature, this work will prove indispensable to students of U. S. history for generations to come.

John D. Wilsey , associate professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

American History, Combined Edition

Copyright 2019 by Thomas S. Kidd

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5359-8225-2

Dewey Decimal Classification: 973

Subject Heading: UNITED STATESHISTORY / UNITED STATESCIVILIZATION / UNITED STATESRELIGION

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version (public domain).

The web addresses referenced in this book were live and correct at the time of the books publication but may be subject to change.

Cover design: Washington Crossing the Delaware by George Caleb Bingham, a Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., in honor of Walter P. Chrysler, Sr.

Quotations by Martin Luther King Jr. reprinted by arrangement with The Heirs to the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr., c/o Writers House as agent for the proprietor New York, NY.

Copyright:

1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. renewed 1991 Coretta Scott King

1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. renewed 1996 Coretta Scott King

Printed in the United States of America

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To Jonathan and Joshua Kidd

T hanks to my wonderful, supportive colleagues at Baylor, including History Department chair Barry Hankins and Byron Johnson, director of Baylors Institute for Studies of Religion. Thanks to my Baylor research assistants, including Kristina Benham, Matt Millsap, and Paul Gutacker; to my agent and friend Giles Anderson; and to the great staff at B&H Academic, including Jim Baird, Chris Thompson, and Sarah Landers. As always, I am so thankful for my wife, Ruby, and my sons, Jonathan and Josh.

W riting an overview of American historyor of any nations historyis a daunting task. Theres so much to cover, yet so much has to be left out. Most people who have ever lived left us little to no surviving records of their lives. Historical overviews usually focus on luminaries such as presidents, tycoons, inventors, and celebrities. And they focus on great events such as battles, economic disasters, and presidential elections. My overview of American history focuses a great deal on such characters and events too. But I have tried where possible to weave in anecdotes of regular people as well. Often my justification for weaving in such stories is their utter typicality, or the way they illuminate peoples everyday experiences and struggles.