The American miracle: divine providence in the rise of the Republic

Conservative radio host Medved (The 10 Big Lies About America) presents a providential U.S. history, claiming that the country's past consists of many happy accidents, a pattern that reveals divine favor for the nation. The book surveys a wide range of episodes, beginning with the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620 and concluding with the Union victory in the Civil War and president Abraham Lincoln's subsequent martyrdom. Certain meteorological events, such as the sudden fog that shielded and protected the Continental Army during its retreat from Brooklyn in 1776, and strange coincidences, such as the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on the same July 4th, are seen as heavenly signs and portents. The final chapter is an essay regarding the merits of American exceptionalism. Medved is opposed to more critical interpretations of American history, which often focus on the plight of Native Americans and African slaves. This work attempts to illustrate that the United States retains a divine blessing, despite its many trials and tribulations. Readers may find it bizarre that God appears to take sides in very human political struggles and military conflicts. VERDICT Although this work will likely not generate many new converts, it will preach music to the choir's ears.-Jeffrey Meyer, Mt. Pleasant P.L., IA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Conservative radio host Medved (The 10 Big Lies About America) presents a providential U.S. history, claiming that the country's past consists of many happy accidents, a pattern that reveals divine favor for the nation. The book surveys a wide range of episodes, beginning with the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620 and concluding with the Union victory in the Civil War and president Abraham Lincoln's subsequent martyrdom. Certain meteorological events, such as the sudden fog that shielded and protected the Continental Army during its retreat from Brooklyn in 1776, and strange coincidences, such as the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on the same July 4th, are seen as heavenly signs and portents. The final chapter is an essay regarding the merits of American exceptionalism. Medved is opposed to more critical interpretations of American history, which often focus on the plight of Native Americans and African slaves. This work attempts to illustrate that the United States retains a divine blessing, despite its many trials and tribulations. Readers may find it bizarre that God appears to take sides in very human political struggles and military conflicts. VERDICT Although this work will likely not generate many new converts, it will preach music to the choir's ears.—Jeffrey Meyer, Mt. Pleasant P.L., IA. Copyright 2016 Library Journal.