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Founding The City Upon Hill: A Deep Dive into the Origins of American Exceptionalism

Hector Blair

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Published in John Winthrop: Founding The City Upon A Hill (Routledge Historical Americans)

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John Winthrop: Founding the City Upon a Hill (Routledge Historical Americans)

by Michael Parker

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	930 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages

In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Founding The City Upon Hill, David Hackett Fischer explores the Puritan vision of a 'city upon a hill' and its impact on the development of American identity and institutions. Fischer argues that this vision has been a driving force in American history, shaping everything from the country's political system to its social and cultural values.

The book begins with a look at the Puritan origins of the 'city upon a hill' metaphor. Fischer shows how the Puritans believed that they were a chosen people, destined to create a new society in the New World. This society would be a model for the rest of the world, a 'city upon a hill' that would shine as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Fischer then traces the development of the 'city upon a hill' metaphor in American history. He shows how it was used by the Founding Fathers to justify the American Revolution and by later generations of Americans to promote a variety of causes, from abolitionism to westward expansion.

Fischer argues that the 'city upon a hill' metaphor has been both a source of strength and weakness for the United States. On the one hand, it has inspired Americans to achieve great things. On the other hand, it has also led to a sense of American exceptionalism and a belief that the United States is superior to other countries.

Fischer concludes by calling for a more nuanced understanding of the 'city upon a hill' metaphor. He argues that it is important to recognize both the positive and negative aspects of this vision. Only then can we truly understand the American experience and its place in the world.

Critical Reception

Founding The City Upon Hill has been widely praised by critics. The New York Times called it "a magisterial work of scholarship" and "a must-read for anyone interested in American history." The Washington Post said that Fischer's book is "a brilliant and deeply moving account of the American experiment." And The Boston Globe called it "a tour de force of historical writing."

Awards and Recognition

Founding The City Upon Hill has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for History, the Bancroft Prize, and the National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Legacy

Founding The City Upon Hill is considered to be one of the most important works of American history ever written. It has had a profound impact on our understanding of the American experience and its place in the world.