American Biography: A History of the United States as Told Through the Lives of Ninety-Four American

America’s story as told through the lives of ninety-four individuals who shaped a nation.

History isn’t made by movements or forces—it’s made by people. American Biography tells the story of the United States through ninety-four interconnected lives, from the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock to the leaders who won the Cold War. People make history, and America’s rich past is told here through these lives and interactions.

What connects William Bradford to Benjamin Franklin? How did Thomas Jefferson’s world shape Davy Crockett’s? Discover how each generation of Americans built upon the last, with heroes, villains, and visionaries whose decisions echo through our history. From 1607 to today, see how individual lives weave together to create the American tapestry.

This is American history as it actually happened, through the people who made it.

Larry Schweikart, a former rock drummer who opened for "Steppenwolf," is a professor of history at the University of Dayton. In addition to some of the books mentioned here, he has authored over 50 academic articles, dozens of book reviews, and has been a regular guest on "Fox and Friends."