Americanon - An Unexpected U.S. History in Thirteen Bestselling Books

Surprising and delightfully engrossing, Americanon explores the true history of thirteen of the nation''s most popular books. Overlooked for centuries, our simple dictionaries, spellers, almanacs, and how-to manuals are the unexamined touchstones for American cultures and customs. They sold tens of millions of copies and set out specific archetypes for the ideal American, from the self-made entrepreneur to the humble farmer. This ''distinctive and engaging'' (Library Journal) work is American history as you''ve never encountered it before.