The

American

         Story

APOLOGUE

THE AMERICAN STORY, from its beginning on the empty stage of a New World until now, is entirely improbable. Every attempt to account for it rationally leaves you with a feeling that something important, perhaps the most important thing of all, has been left out. Yet you cannot say what that was. Many will say freedom did it; but the story of freedom itself is not clear. Nothing is ever quite as we see it. For all its seeming reality we cannot be sure that a thousand years hence it may not all have dissolved in myth.

BOOK ONE

I

The World in Europe’s Belly

FIRST THE ROUNDNESS OF THE EARTH HAD TO BE IMAGINED.

Then the New World was discovered by a man who was sure it was not there.

BOOK TWO

I

Giant in the Gristle

NOW YOU CAN SEE ALL, AROUND HIM, YOUR AMERICAN, BECAUSE for the first time he is standing alone in the midst of a hostile world, making defiant gestures at it.

BOOK THREE

I

Oversize Sinews

AMERICAN GIANTHOOD WAS NEVER THE CONSCIOUS INTENTION. All the phenomena were eruptive; and the giant becoming was himself absurd, always falling down and getting up, never seeming to know what he was about, subject to alternate seizures of wild exaltation and extreme depression. We should call him a manic-depressive.

BOOK FOUR

BOOK FIVE

I

Stalking a War

WHEN CONGRESSWOMAN CLARE BOOTH LUCE SAID, “PRESIDENT Roosevelt lied us into war,” people were shocked. It was a scandalous thing to say; it was more than people were willing to believe of the President of the United States.

BOOK SIX

I

Face of Empire

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT DIED ON THE eighty-third day of his fourth term.

APOSTROPHE

How now, thou American, frustrated crusader, do you know where you are?

Is it security you want? There is no security at the top of the world.

To thine own self a liberator, to the world an alarming portent, do you know where you are going from here?

APOLOGUE

The Advocate of Mankind was idly calculating how many times the Dipper had been full and empty again. It was empty now. From time to time he regarded the Saint, who was reading the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD backward and seemed not very friendly.

Is that your job? asked the Advocate of Mankind, gently.

That, said the Saint, putting the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD down on his knee. And this, indicating with distaste a small pearl object that would fit the ear. Think of having that HERE! And all on your account.