More than two centuries ago, a small group of historians, political leaders, and novelists promoted the idea that America had a God-given mission to lead humanity toward freedom, equality, and self-government. Then another set of intellectuals and firebrands argued that the United States was instead the homeland of the allegedly superior "Anglo-Saxon" race, upon whom divine and Darwinian favor shined. Colin Woodard tells the story of these visions of our nation's path and purpose through the lives of the key figures who created them, a cast of characters whose virtues and flaws have shaped the destiny of millions.