02290cam a22003133u 4500 41862 UtSlPG 20260610133946.0 m cr n 260607r2013||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 E151 Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933 The Spirit of America Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2013 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2013-01-17 Produced by Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) "The Spirit of America" by Henry Van Dyke is a collection of lectures written in the early 20th century. Initially delivered at the University of Paris, these lectures aim to define and illuminate the essence of American identity, spirit, and democratic ideals, particularly focusing on the historical and cultural values that shape the United States. The book serves as an exploration of the unique characteristics that distinguish the American character and the societal principles that underpin its democracy. The opening of the book introduces Van Dyke as a thoughtful observer seeking to clarify the essential qualities of the American people's spirit. He discusses the deep-rooted connections between Americans and their historical lineage, arguing that the true essence of America lies not solely in its material achievements or diverse population but in the ideals of liberty, self-reliance, and fair play that have been passed down through generations. This foundational perspective sets the stage for a reflective investigation into how these principles have influenced American institutions, society, and literature throughout its history. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified United States -- Civilization National characteristics, American https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41862 82701 82701