The Lessons of the American Civilization tells the American story, from its tenuous beginnings to its confident rise to become the world's most dominant civilization. Historian Thomas Del Beccaro illuminates America's past and present with fresh comparisons to history's other great civilizations, illustrating the characteristics and lessons that civilizations share as they come together, rise, and fall. He then tells of the American experience, from Plymouth Rock to the technological revolution, in light of many important lessons of the past.

Along the way, Del Beccaro provides needed perspective on such topics as:

• Whether America is exceptional compared to other civilizations

• Capitalism's most important legacy of making democracy possible

• The danger centralization of power in government presents

• What America's political and class division says about the trajectory of the civilization

• What lies ahead for the country

For the everyday reader and historian alike, this book is a thoughtful and thorough examination of where America has been and where it is going.