The Dominion of War: Empire and Liberty in North America, 1500-2000

With the great exceptions of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War II, Americans seldom think about how military conflict has fundamentally shaped the United States. Now award-winning historians Fred Anderson and Andrew Cayton offer a startling new perspective on American history. In their sweeping narrative, events like the Mexican-American War and the American-Indian Wars, which have long been understood as minor interruptions in the great arc of American history, emerge as central to the nation's development. By focusing on the stories of key individuals at decisive historic turning points, the authors impart a vivid human dimension to this deeply compelling history.