Our American Story

The Search for a Shared National Narrative

Edited by Joshua A. Claybourn

Narrated by Peter Lerman

Available from Audible

Book published by University of Nebraska Press

Over the past few decades, the complicated divides of geography, class, religion, and race created deep fractures in the United States, each side fighting to advance its own mythology and political interests. We lack a central story, a common ground we can celebrate and enrich with deeper meaning. Unable to agree on first principles, we cannot agree on what it means to be American. As we dismantle or disregard symbols and themes that previously united us, can we replace them with stories and rites that unite our tribes and maintain meaning in our American identity?

Against this backdrop, Our American Story features leading thinkers from across the political spectrum—Jim Banks, Pulitzer Prize–winner David W. Blight, Spencer P. Boyer, Eleanor Clift, John C. Danforth, Cody Delistraty, Richard A. Epstein, Nikolas Gvosdev, Cherie Harder, Jason Kuznicki, Gerard N. Magliocca, Markos Moulitsas, Ilya Somin, Cass R. Sunstein, Alan Taylor, James V. Wertsch, Gordon S. Wood, and Ali Wyne. Each draws on expertise within their respective fields of history, law, politics, and public policy to contribute a unique perspective about the American story. This collection explores whether a unifying story can be achieved and, if so, what that story could be.

Joshua A. Claybourn is an author and attorney working primarily with governmental entities and elected officials. His work has appeared in USA Today, the Hill, the American Spectator, National Review Online, American Thinker, and World Magazine, as well as numerous regional publications. On television he has commented on current events on CNN and MSNBC.

REVIEWS:

“America is a story with a country, even more than it is a country with a story. Can we come together around a defining narrative or make our multiple narratives cohere? This thoughtful, diverse, and often impassioned collection—featuring a distinguished cast of theorists, historians, and politicians—offers something much better than pat answers: scholarly insight, personal wisdom, and an embodiment of America’s questing spirit.”

—Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution

“At a time of increasing political, racial, and regional tribalism, with Americans finding it difficult to relate to one another, Our American Story admirably seeks a common story.”

—James Kirchick, author of The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues, and the Coming Dark Age

“If you are confused or, like me, fearful about what is happening to the United States, please read this book. It is calming and clarifying—we have been here before. Most importantly, it is an essential step toward addressing our problems. National narratives are powerful, and in this enlightening book, scholars from many fields will help you understand the conflicting narratives that influence our political thinking and behavior today.”

—Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at the New York University Stern School of Business