The Fourth of July: and the Founding of America (ISBN=9781590202104)

　　A new and utterly surprising look at the history behind the birth of the United States
　　The United States is a nation that touts its diversity, but there is one tradition that Americans love to share. Every year on the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate (and, in effect, re-enact) the founding of their country. Independence Day is one of our favorite traditions-but much of the inherited lore that surrounds this holiday is mythological, not historical. In this book, Peter de Bolla teases out the true story of the Fourth of July. De Bolla traces the holiday's history from 1776 through the Civil War, the Cold War, and the present. This enlightening exploration of America's birthday offers a fascinating window into the history of the nation and its people.

　　Peter de Bolla is Professor of Cultural History and Fellow of King's College at Cambridge University.

Introduction
1. The Fourth of July 1776: The Event and the Myth
2. Making Independence Day
3. The Symbols of the Fourth
4. The Meanings of the Fourth
5. Celebrating Independence
Further Reading
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Index