This volume investigates the evolution of the United States from the end of the Civil War through the early 21st century by examining the intersection of political, social, and economic forces. The authors, a distinguished group of historians including H. W. Brands and Robert A. Divine, utilize a thematic approach to synthesize complex historical developments into a concise narrative. By integrating primary source documents, the text provides students with a framework to analyze the shifting identity and global role of the American nation over the last century and a half.

This text is regarded as a standard academic resource for undergraduate survey courses, valued for its balance of narrative clarity and primary source integration. The collaborative authorship ensures a broad perspective on the multifaceted developments of the American experience since the mid-19th century.