Chronicles the growth of America and the dynamic individuals who invoked noble principles to justify an agressive pursuit of a coast-to-coast domain, examining the roles of Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, James Polk, and Teddy Roosevelt.

Explores the role of rivers as roads in the exploration and westward expansion of America since precolonial times, discussing the histories of the Hudson, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and Colorado rivers, the Rio Grande, and the Erie Canal.

The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds from the beginning of our Republic. Depending on who's doing the talking, the history of Rome serves either as a triumphal call to action, or a dire warning of imminent collapse. Esteemed editor and author Murphy ventures past the pundits' rhetoric to draw nuanced lessons about how we might avoid Rome's demise. Working on a canvas that extends far beyond the issue of an overstretched military,...

Describes the people and places of the Oregon Trail, detailing the reasons for travel, the dangers, and survival techniques.