Colin Hopper Lincoln-Way East High School

Most Americans cherish their freedom and mythologize its role in our collective heritage. Pride in the United States can led to a warped sense that the United States was founded on principles of freedom and has maintained those magnificent principles since its conception. Eric Foner's The Story of American Freedom illustrates that this "land of liberty" evolved through many stages. Foner's work is a well-written walk through these phases. The reader passes through the thoughts of an assorted mix of icons, rebels, jurists, reformers and industrialists. Liberal thoughts in one age change to conservative in the next, but the story is not a typical one of progression. There are steps forward, then back and often off to another side, all while using the same language of freedom. At various times this language of freedom referred to personal restraints, political rights, economic conditions, social standing, even religious obedience and consumer freedom.

Like a typical textbook, The Story of American Freedom moves chronologically through the major periods in American history, but Foner's work is hardly typical. Rather than events, Foner stays focused on this grand idea of freedom. His interpretations are not new, but this was an easy and enjoyable read about a rather complex topic. Moreover, unlike a work like Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States or James Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me, this seems well balanced. Foner would probably fall in the liberal camp like these other historians, but his bias is tempered well. For example, even when describing how African-Americans and later countless others were stripped of their intended rights from the Fourteenth Amendment, Foner explains the "liberty of contract" as a legitimate view of freedom. Based on his past works, one can assume that his sympathies lay with the likes of a Eugene Debs or John L. Lewis. Yet, Foner moves nicely through competing theories, showing the prevailing and min

Another enjoyable aspect of this work is that his "story" comes from well known political figures like Jefferson or Reagan, as well as lesser known intellectuals like C. Wright Mills or Reinhold Niebuhr. In addition, Foner moves beyond "great men". His discussion on patriotic assimilation, for example, was excellent. Likewise, songs, paintings, neighborhoods and other cultural influences were not ignored.

In short, this was a fine choice for teachers to read. He is a solid writer with a good idea. The result is this complicated concept of freedom becomes more accessible.

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