Medved - The American Miracle: Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic

This is a brisk, joyous romp through some of the most critical providential moments that made America an exceptional nation, told by a Yale-trained historianwho writes with brio and conviction.

Karl Rove, senior advisor to President George W. Bush

If you love reading American history, or any history written like a page-turning novelor just love great writingthe artistry of words that often read more like poetry than proseyou will love this book. The fact that Michael Medved gives the reader all of these makes this a must-read.

Lanny J. Davis, former special counsel to President Clinton; author of Truth to Tell

Michael Medved has written an engaging, affectionate, and historically compelling book about America. The American Miracle is a source of knowledge, a source of comfort, a source of inspiration. After reading it, youll know America better and treasure her more.

Peter Wehner, White House aide to Presidents George Bush and George W. Bush; senior fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Michael Medved has written a timely study of the centrality of faith and providence in the American story, challenging Americans to reaffirm the religious ideals on which their nation was founded. Read it and be inspired.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; author of Not in Gods Name

Michael Medved chronicles in intriguing detail how Americas unlikely founding and enduring success cant be explained by luck or coincidence but only one thing: divine providence. After reading this book, even the toughest skeptics will be hard pressed not to believe that God had a role in Americas fortune.

Bill Bennett, secretary of education under President Reagan; author of America: The Last Best Hope

Medved speaks truth boldly and reasons carefullyand he is also a most gifted writer. In The American Miracle he reminds us that there once was a day when Americans knew the history of our country as a story of promise and providence, and he is confident that Americans can learn that story again.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

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Copyright 2016 by Medved Communications, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Crown Forum, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

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Crown Forum with colophon is a registered trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Medved, Michael, author.

Title: The American miracle / Michael Medved.

Description: First edition. | New York : Crown Forum, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016023658 | ISBN 9780553447262 (hc) | ISBN 9780553447279 (eISBN)

Subjects: LCSH: United StatesHistoryReligious aspectsChristianity.

Classification: LCC E179 .M483 2016 | DDC 277.3dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016023658

ISBN9780553447262

Ebook ISBN9780553447279

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design by Ervin Serrano

Cover images: Illustration by Archive Images/Alamy stock photo; texture by SuriyaPhoto/Shutterstock and MaxyM SuriyaPhoto/Shutterstock; sunburst graphic by Artnis/Shutterstock

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For Diane

My own American miracle

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truththat God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?

Benjamin Franklin, remarks to the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787

No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.

George Washington, first Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789

You have the highest of human trusts committed to your care. Providence has showered on this favored land blessings without number, and has chosen you as the guardians of freedom, to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May He who holds in His hands the destinies of nations, make you worthy of the favors He has bestowed, and enable you, with pure hearts and hands and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to the end of time the great charge He has committed to your keeping.

President Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address, March 4, 1837

It is the object of the present work to explain the steps by which a favoring providence, calling our institutions into being, has conducted the country to its present happiness and glory.

George Bancroft, opening declaration of his History of the United States, 1876

Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.

Abraham Lincoln, first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861

LINKED IN DEATH AS WELL AS LIFE: John Adams (second president of the United States) and Thomas Jefferson (third president, who defeated Adams in his bid for reelection).

Jefferson survives. Reported last words of John Adams, July 4, 1826

Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollection of these rights.