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: He traces the origins of the American military tradition to the practical need for colonists to defend their own homes rather than relying on a professional standing army. Accolades Winner of the Bancroft Prize (1959).

: Explores how their rigid religious orthodoxy shifted toward a "practical" and community-focused legalism.

: He discusses how the vastness of the continent and the lack of traditional universities led to a more democratic and widely dispersed form of knowledge.

: Analyzes how their refusal to compromise on pacifism led to their withdrawal from political power.

: Examines the failure of philanthropic and utopian ideals when faced with the harsh realities of frontier life.

: Boorstin argues that Americans are essentially a "practical" people who abandoned European abstractions in favor of what worked on the ground.

(1958) is the first volume of a classic history trilogy by Daniel J. Boorstin . It examines how the unique conditions of the American wilderness and the diverse backgrounds of early settlers shaped a distinct American character long before the Revolution. Key Components & Themes