A wonderfully written, sweeping narrative history of the United States that will help Americans discover the land they call home. American History for Middle School  — Grades 6-8  The FIRST book in a two-volume narrative for Young Readers studying Land of Hope   VOLUME ONE: SHAPING A NEW NATION, From 1492 to 1877 From its beginnings America was a land of hope, a magnet for those seeking a new beginning for themselves. The American Founders created a unique plan of government designed to realize those ideals. Implementing the plan was not easy, though, and a bloody civil war would push the American experiment to the breaking point — and to a new birth of freedom.  Praise for Land of Hope (Young Reader's Editions) : “Professor McClay has brought faith, hope, and charity to this comprehensive and readable narration of our National Story.” —Will Fitzhugh, The Concord Review “This affirmative, evenhanded review of American history, institutions, and character is refreshing, and comes none too soon, when so many accounts are merely trying to settle scores. Beautifully written and fair-minded,  Land of Hope  ranks among the finest surveys of the nation’s past.” —Gilbert T. Sewall, American Textbook Council “Every page pops with the extraordinary achievements, near misses, and frustrating failures of a nation formed by the common pursuit of liberty and happiness.”  —Robert L. Jackson, Institute for Classical Education  “Our children stand at risk of not knowing who they are as inheritors and keepers of American freedom. Enter Wilfred M. McClay. This latest edition of his beautiful narrative forms a compelling vision of America’s past.” —Andrew J. Zwerneman, Cana Academy  “Students fortunate enough to encounter these volumes will become better readers and more knowledgeable citizens.” —Lucien Ellington, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga “Our nation is facing challenges from those who contend that America was founded on evil principles and should be effectively dismantled. This superbly readable volume tells the story of America accurately—critiquing what we got wrong but praising the many things we got right. This approach will produce fair-minded citizens who are loyal to our ideals but who are also willing to challenge our leaders to live up to them.” —Michael Farris, president & CEO, Alliance Defending Freedom, and founder, Home School Legal Defense Association “This  Young Readers Edition  brings the great American story into the lives of late primary and middle-school children. We use it in Hillsdale College’s affiliated K-12 schools, and enthusiastically recommend it to any teacher or parent.” —Dr. Kathleen O'Toole, Assistant Provost for K-12 Education, Hillsdale College Praise for Land of Hope : “At a time of severe partisanship that has infected many accounts of our nation’s past, this brilliant new history,  Land of Hope , written in lucid and often lyrical prose, is much needed. It is accurate, honest, and free of the unhistorical condescension so often paid to the people of America’s past. This generous but not uncritical story of our nation’s history ought to be read by every American. It explains and justifies the right kind of patriotism.” —Gordon S. Wood, author of  Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson “Those who are acquainted with Wilfred McClay’s writing will not be surprised that  Land of Hope , his latest book, is a lucid and engaging account of the ‘great American story.’ McClay is a charming storyteller—and a first-rate scholar and appreciator of America’s political and cultural development.” —Michael Barone, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, senior political analyst at the Washington Examiner, and coauthor of  The Almanac of American Politics “We’ve long needed a readable text that truly tells the American story, neither hiding the serious injustices in our history nor soft-pedaling our nation’s extraordinary achievements. Such a text cannot be a mere compilation of facts, and it certainly could not be written by someone lacking a deep understanding and appreciation of America’s constitutional ideals and institutions. Bringing his impressive skills as a political theorist, historian, and writer to bear, Wilfred McClay has supplied the need.” —Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University “In a time when America seems pulled in opposite directions, Wilfred McClay has written a necessary book—the most balanced, nuanced history of the United States I have read in the past fifty years.” —Daniel Henninger, deputy editor, editorial page,  The Wall Street Journal “Too many recent historians have tried to rewrite America’s history as a tale of squalor and exploitation. Wilfred McClay tells it like it is: as a story of hope.” —Glenn Harlan Reynolds, Beauchamp Brogan Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Tennessee “No one has told the story of America with greater balance or better prose tha