Long respected for its lush narrative and balanced coverage, A Short History of The American Nation uses political history as the framework for an engaging discussion of social, economic, and cultural developments in this country. Numerous anecdotes, new biographical portraits (new American Lives essays), and extensive quotations help give students a closer view of the major figures and events on the American historical stage.

Mark Carnes joins John Garraty in preparing the Eighth Edition of A Short History of The American Nation. Selected by Garraty, Mark Carnes' scholarly specialization in cultural and social issues, especially gender, complements Garraty's specialty in politics and the economy. In the new edition of this bestseller, every chapter has been reviewed and updated with a substantially rewritten Chapter 1, a new, final Chapter 33, "Crimes and Misdemeanors," and reorganized Chapters 29 - 32. New material on women has been added throughout the book. The new, four-color format of the Eighth Edition enhances the value of the map program. Many more photographs have been added, making the book more visually compelling and accessible. New captions emphasize how illustrations interpret the past.