This collection of primary sources includes both classic and lesser-known documents describing the rich mosaic of American life from the pre-contact era to the present day. The sources, both public and private documents–ranging from letters, diary excerpts, stories, novels, to speeches, court cases, and government reports–tell the story of American history in the words of those who lived it. This two-volume comprehensive anthology of primary sources expertly balances social and political history and includes up-to-date narrative material