Freedom Just Around the Corner: A New American History, 1585-1828

Freedom Just Around the Corner examines the first 243 years of American history, from the earliest English settlements through the election of Andrew Jackson. The narrative focuses on how Americans pursued opportunity and liberty through both legitimate and fraudulent means. McDougall traces the development of American culture and character through key historical episodes including colonial expansion, the Revolution, westward migration, and early industrialization. The text incorporates perspectives from diverse groups including Native Americans, enslaved people, women, and various immigrant populations. The book challenges conventional interpretations by highlighting how deceit, speculation, and manipulation played central roles alongside more celebrated American traits like ingenuity and determination. Through extensive primary source research, McDougall reconstructs the complex motives and actions of both prominent figures and ordinary citizens. This history suggests that American success emerged from a paradoxical combination of noble ideals and pragmatic opportunism, with citizens constantly navigating between legitimate enterprise and outright fraud. The narrative raises enduring questions about the relationship between American values and American behavior.

Readers value McDougall's fresh perspective on early American history, with many appreciating his focus on hustling, opportunism, and pragmatism as defining American characteristics. The book resonates with those seeking a non-ideological view of the colonial period through the early republic. Liked: - Clear, engaging writing style - Original analysis of American entrepreneurial spirit - Detailed research and primary sources - Humor and wit throughout Disliked: - Dense academic passages - Jumps between topics without clear transitions - Some readers found the "hustler" theme overused - Limited coverage of Native American perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (46 ratings) One reader noted: "McDougall strips away romantic myths about early America without being cynical." Another criticized: "The constant focus on hustling and scheming becomes repetitive and oversimplifies complex historical events."

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🔷 Author Walter A. McDougall won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for his book "The Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age" 🔷 The book is the first volume in a planned trilogy covering American history, examining how "hustling" and entrepreneurship shaped the nation's character 🔷 McDougall challenges the traditional view that Puritanism was the dominant force in early American culture, arguing instead that pragmatism and opportunism played equally important roles 🔷 The book's title comes from a Langston Hughes poem, despite the fact that the time period covered predates Hughes by nearly a century 🔷 The author serves as professor of history and international relations at the University of Pennsylvania and is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute