In the first comprehensive reading of dozens of American literary and social culture classics, Tom Cronin, one of America's most astute students of the American political tradition, tells the story of the American political experiment through the eyes of forty major novelists. They have been moral and civic consciousness-raisers as we have navigated the zigs and zags, the successes and setbacks, and the slow awkward evolution of the American political experiment.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 417-435) and index.

American political storytelling -- The tribe of the eagle and its political narratives -- The novelist as political agitator -- The novelist as political consciousness raiser -- The novelist as political satirist -- The novelist on the campaign trail -- The novelist as political anthropologist -- Epilogue.