American Exceptionalism: Myth

American Exceptionalism: Myth

American Exceptionalism: Myth, Memory, and Meaning delves into the stories that have shaped the United States’ national identity. From the Puritan “City Upon a Hill” to Silicon Valley’s modern utopian visions, this book unpacks how myths are crafted, propagated, and challenged. You’ll explore founding narratives, cinematic retellings, educational dogmas, and the digital age’s meme-driven patriotism, all with a critical eye on who writes history and why. Through 24 richly researched chapters, Lohith Padmanabha guides you from the moral mandates of foreign policy to the secular scripture of the Declaration of Independence. You’ll confront silenced histories—Indigenous erasure, slavery’s legacy, and sanitized school textbooks—and witness counter-myths rising in movements like BLM. With evocative prompts and fresh perspectives, this volume invites readers to question comfortable legends and reimagine the American story. Whether you’re a student of history, a citizen seeking deeper understanding, or a storyteller eager to reshape national memory, this book offers a rigorous, engaging journey. American Exceptionalism: Myth, Memory, and Meaning challenges us to see beyond myth and toward a more inclusive narrative.