First published 2010
Conservative historian Larry Schweikart identifies seven pivotal but overlooked moments that fundamentally altered American history. While most people know about the Civil War, Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, and 9/11, Schweikart examines lesser-known events that proved equally transformative. He analyzes how each moment either reinforced or challenged the Founding Fathers' original vision for the nation. Schweikart demonstrates how Martin Van Buren's invention of the national political party created the framework that enabled Barack Obama's election nearly two hundred years later. He traces how Dwight Eisenhower's heart attack triggered a government campaign against red meat that expanded federal control over American dietary choices. Through accessible writing, Schweikart connects these seemingly minor incidents to major historical trends, showing readers how unexpected moments can reshape a nation's trajectory.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-non-fiction
Setting: America, United States
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century, 21st Century
272 pages · Hardcover · Sentinel HC