The Practical Guide to America

History books usually fall into two categories: impossibly dry or hopelessly long. This one is neither.

Instead, think of it as the “greatest hits album” of American history. It’s packed with the stories, characters, and oddball events that shaped a very unruly nation. From rebellious colonists tossing tea into Boston Harbor, to presidents who rewrote the rules of leadership, to astronauts, inventors, protestors, and entrepreneurs who changed the world (sometimes by accident), this book walks you through the drama with a side order of fun.

You’ll discover why America called itself an “experiment” and how wars at home and abroad reshaped the nation. Along the way, you’ll meet visionaries, villains, and everyday folks whose choices made history anything but inevitable.

Light, lively, and loaded with surprising stories, The Practical Guide to America is for anyone who wants to actually enjoy reading history. It’s guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at the next backyard cookout.