Charles Austin Beard (1874-1948) with his wife Mary were highly influential historians in the first half of the 20th century. Their works had a major impact on American historians. This book was written in 1921 and is still one of the most interesting books on the History of the United States. It was originally written as a textbook, and consequently is a good introduction to American History from its founding to the 19th Century. It discusses history in a mixture of a chronological and thematic manner, and therefore offers the reader insights into events that one may not have otherwise connected. It contains an index, footnotes, tables of populations and Presidents, copious illustrations and a Topical Syllabus.