This book reinterprets every aspect of American history. From Walter Ralegh to Bill Clinton, Paul Johnson casts an admiring but not uncritical eye over events and personalities through the past 400 years. Written with his customary vigorous, direct and colourful style, it charts the sweep and drama of America's history through its politics and economics, its art and literature and science, its society and manners and, not least, its complex and all-pervading religious beliefs.