Time: The Making of America: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of a Nation

By Time-Life Books

Join the editors of TIME to walk with legends and re-live the incredible story of America's birth. Here is history as only TIME can tell it, as such fascinating, complex characters as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington transform a handful of remote British colonies into a new nation, conceived in liberty. Here is the wise, eccentric Benjamin Franklin - half statesman, half scientist. Here is the bitter rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, which ended in a duel to the death. Here are the incredible journeys of Lewis and Clark, guided through the wilderness and across the Rockies by the Native American woman, Sacajawea. Here are the true stories behind such legendary figures as Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, Benedict Arnold and Molly Pitcher.Richly illustrated with maps, charts and historic illustrations, this is the story of every American's birthright, as told through America's most fascinating lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932994084
• ISBN13: 9781932994087
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Time
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 0.6" x 8.3"
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A Miracle we are here

I thought Time did a good job of putting this thumbnail sketch of our beginnings together. The key events 'making' our nation are entertainingly summarized in pictures and prose, making it feel like we are reading about the events for the first time. The perspective of 200 years I'm sure helps. Aside from the good providence of Amighty God, I'm sure it would never have happened. The original 13 colonies were like 13 little countries with very little in common, except language and commerce. But when the Brits put the financial squeeze on us to help them fight the French, and when the French needed money to fight the Brits, an opening occurred to bring this nation about. The Louisiana Purchase, for example, was a money maker for Napoleon and the greatest land-grab in history, doubling the size of our infant nation. Also, there was the right mix of truly brilliant leaders and intellectuals including Ben Franklin, Tom Jefferson, and John Adams, as well as John's cousin Sam who fomented the Boston Tea Party. There was also probably the only military leader in George Washington who would be able to put up with the inept and skittish central government, while fighting a brilliantly defensive and patient war with the Brits. We have never had the likes of the Founders since then; maybe, no modern nation has been blessed with their likes. Some would see all this as a happy accident, but I see it as divine purpose, a miracle.