A Patriot's History of the United States book cover

A Patriot's History of the United States by Larry Schweikart & Michael Allen Summary

A Patriot's History of the United States
Larry Schweikart & Michael Allen
History
Politics
Society
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of A Patriot's History of the United States

Rewriting American history through a conservative lens, "A Patriot's History" became a #1 NYT bestseller after Glenn Beck's endorsement. This controversial counterpoint to Howard Zinn's work celebrates entrepreneurs as heroes - sparking debate among historians while captivating readers across political divides.

Similar books to A Patriot's History of the United States

Start Reading Your Way
Quick Summary10 min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42 min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun25 min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

More like this

podcast cover
Empire: How Britain Made the Modern WorldThe English and Their HistoryA Special Relationship: Anglo-American Relations from the Cold War to IraqGrand Improvisation: America Confronts the British Superpower, 1945–1957
31 sources
USA vs England: 200 Years of Rivalry That Built the Modern World
BeFreed
book cover
A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn
book cover
Dear America
Graham Allen
book cover
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
book cover
Presidents of War
Michael Beschloss
book cover
On Tyranny
Timothy Snyder
book cover
Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World
H. R. McMaster
book cover
George Washington's Secret Six
Brian Kilmeade
book cover
Going Solo
Eric Klinenberg
book cover
The Problems of Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
book cover
Everybody Writes
Ann Handley

Key takeaways

1

Rewriting America's Story: A Fresh Look at Our Nation's Journey

play
00:00
00:00

What if everything you thought you knew about American history was filtered through a lens that emphasized failure over achievement? Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen challenge this perspective in "A Patriot's History of the United States." Their narrative doesn't gloss over America's flaws but places them in context of remarkable progress toward liberty. Unlike histories that focus primarily on oppression and exploitation, this account celebrates the moral foundations and individual courage that shaped the nation. Think of it as the difference between seeing America as fundamentally flawed versus fundamentally good despite its imperfections. This distinction matters deeply because how we understand our past shapes our vision for the future.

2

The Greatest Generation Rises to the Challenge

3

Cold War: Liberty Versus Tyranny on a Global Scale

4

Prosperity and Progress: The American Economic Miracle

5

Social Upheaval: The 1960s Transform America

6

Renewing American Confidence: The Reagan Years

7

America's Enduring Character: Tested But Unbroken

Explore Your Way of Learning
A Patriot's History of the United States isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in History. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to A Patriot's History of the United States Summary in 10 Minutes

Quick Summary
Quick Summary
A Patriot's History of the United States Summary in 10 Minutes

Break down key ideas from A Patriot's History of the United States into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

play
00:00
00:00

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from A Patriot's History of the United States in a Nutshell

Flash Card
Flash Card
Top 10 Insights from A Patriot's History of the United States in a Nutshell

Distill A Patriot's History of the United States into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Flash Mode Swiper

Fun Mode - A Patriot's History of the United States Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories

Fun
Fun
A Patriot's History of the United States Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories

Experience A Patriot's History of the United States through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

play
00:00
00:00

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to A Patriot's History of the United States Summary in 0 Minutes

Personalize
Personalize
Experience A Patriot's History of the United States in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

Personalize Mode

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Start your learning journey, now
Download This Summary

Get the A Patriot's History of the United States summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.