Land of Hope

An Invitation to the Great American Story

By: Wilfred M. McClay

Narrated by: Pete Cross

We have a glut of text and trade books on American history. But what we don’t have is a compact, inexpensive, and authoritative book that will offer to American citizens a clear, informative, and inspiring narrative account of their own country. Such an account can shape and deepen their sense of the land they inhabit and, by making them understand that land’s roots, and share in its memories, equip them for the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship in American society. It will provide them with an enduring sense of membership in one of the greatest enterprises in human history: the exciting, perilous, and consequential story of their own country.

The existing texts simply fail to tell that story with energy and conviction. They are more likely to reflect the skeptical or partial outlook of specialized professional academic historians, an outlook that leads to a fragmented and fractured view of modern American society and fails to convey the greater arc of history. A great nation needs and deserves a great and coherent narrative as an expression of its own self-understanding, and it needs to be able to convey that narrative to its young effectively. It perhaps goes without saying that such a narrative cannot be a fairy tale or a whitewash of the past; it will not be convincing if it is not truthful. But there is no necessary contradiction between an honest account of the American past and an inspiring one. This account seeks to provide both.

©2020 Wilfred M. McClay (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Outstanding review of America’s story

I found this audio book inspiring. America has had its history tarnished by the elite revisionists who focus only on the negative aspects of our heritage. The author includes many of these warts in his book but skillfully balances them with the many events that make our country the envy of the world. I wish this could be the American History textbook for all high schools.

A Fantastic Book

This was a fantastic history book! As I write this, I am completing a class based upon this book and taught by the author himself, Professor McClay! Never have I been privileged to take a class taught by the actual author of the book! I highly recommend this book!

Great book of American history

Great book that started years before the colonialist came to America and finishes with some of the modern day challenges. I found it great to follow along with my children’s HS US history studies. Help me talk with them on many of the historical topics.

beautiful, beautiful and beautiful!!!

the best book I have read on American history.
fair, entertaining, precise as well as insightful!!

Brilliant historical review

Thank you so much for an amazing experience!
I will recommend this book to everyone who I know even non-American friends. This is why I respect American heritage: the rule of law, freedom based on moral and individual responsibility.

Things you nerve knew

I almost gave up due to the long introduction but glad I didn't. Loved the Narration of Pete Cross. Very easy to listen to. I've never been a History Buff so I was trilled to have a book that overviews from the beginning of the America's until recent days .It gives me a link between where we started-what was required to get where we are now in a smooth story linking each event with the next event .

Well Done!

If you are looking for a great summary of the American Experiment, this is it. The author captured the essence of the American spirit throughout our history. The narration was superb. My only minor criticism is that I personally would want more attention to the common folk and less on the political figures of each era. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Outstanding objective easy to read summary of what history has made the USA

Positive, not overly detailed, thorough, great audio. Captivating. I’m going to read / listen again! And recommend to all the history buffs in my family and friends.

EVERY American should read this book!

I absolutely loved this book. I'm a history enthusiast but I think this book is easily read and engaged with by any human being. It gives a clear, unbiased, and concise history of the United States told as a narrative. I can't put into words what this book made me feel... happy, patriotic, frustrated (if only!), ashamed, hopeful, etc... as I got toward the end, into more current events, I cried several times. Not a blubbering mess, but a few tears of frustration and often of pride. I will recommend this book to everyone I can.

Thorough, Solid, Balanced Book

McClay does a commendable job covering our nation’s history. While offering an optimistic and appreciative look at the accomplishments of the US, he does not gloss over our many faults and inexcusable shortfalls. I appreciate the tone and hopeful narrative McClay uses & I would highly recommend this book to anyone who feels pessimistic about our nation at this moment.