For some, patriotism means flags and parades, for others it's "my country right or wrong." But it's much more than that, and, as Alan Alexrod observes in this revealing review of our history, true patriotism is built on a bedrock of understanding-of who we are as individuals and as a nation, of how our ideals and our democracy have evolved, and of what it really means to be an American. It's a challenge that calls for an open mind and a clear perspective on the people, events, and issues that shaped our society-precisely what Alexrod provides. Just released in paperback, this popular chronology of key events in US history sweeps from 45,000 B.C. , when the first intrepid Asians crossed the Bering Land Bridge, to the 21st century, which finds us the richest and most powerful nation in the world. This panoramic journey is marked out by more than 1,000 milestones and turning points, each explained in concise, lively detail. Axelrod has a wonderful knack for capturing powerful ideas, towering figures, and definitive moments with a memorable turn of phrase. From Plymouth Rock to Pearl Harbor, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, from George Washington to George W. Bush, we learn what happened, who was involved, and why it's important. And as we journey from past to present, we discover the real answer to the question: What is a patriot?

Alan Axelrod is the author of twoBusinessWeek bestsellers on great leaders, General Patton and Queen Elizabeth I, as well as numerous other books about history, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History, The Penguin Dictionary of American Folklore, and the Encyclopedia of the American West. A veteran of twenty years in publishing, he lives in Atlanta, Georgia.