American Civilization

The ninth edition of the hugely successful American Civilization offers students the perfect background and introductory information on contemporary American life, examining the central dimensions of American society from geography and the environment to government and politics, religion, education, sports, media and the arts.

This edition introduces readers to the significant changes in the political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the complexities of American civilization. Early chapters have been reconfigured to address the challenges of race and discrimination in American political development. The book has been fully updated to reflect developments in education and local government during the second Trump administration, a more critical approach to foreign policy which questions the concept of American exceptionalism, and an examination of the impact, in federal government terms, of the 2024 presidential campaign, election results, and the opening of Trump’s second term. New sections have been added to analyse efforts to control the Department of Justice, as well as developments in Medicaid policies and the results of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Supported by exercises, discussion questions, and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, as well as a substantial chronology of key events in U.S. history, this textbook remains an indispensable resource for students of American Studies. With its updated content and critical approach, the ninth edition equips readers with the tools to analyse and engage with the evolving dynamics of American society.