“I totally enjoyed reading this book. It is written in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow manner.”

About the Author

Every time I’d see a headline about “what America stands for,” or a debate over “the American Dream,” I’d nod along and think… yeah, I should probably dig into that someday.

Then it hit me: The fun part of history is the stories. The really big events that shaped this country are always tied to fascinating people and even more fascinating stories. Exploring those is an entertaining way to learn more about American History.

Understanding what made this country isn't about memorizing dates and events. It's about the stories.

“I wish someone would just tell the story of America in plain English: the big ideas, the people, and the moments that actually mattered.”

“I took history in school, but most of it was memorizing dates. I know there are incredible stories behind how this country came to be.”

“I understand the Constitution matters, but I’d like to know what kind of nation it was written for.”

“Yes, as an American, I know I should know this stuff. But when? And how?”

“Tom McHale has managed to keep me reading...until I finished his delightful, lighthearted explanation of the founding documents of our republic. No heavy tome for law school students..."

- Packaged the story of America — its founding, its people, its history, and even its debates — into an easy-to-digest guide.

- Then kept going, covering the events, characters, and turning points that made the United States what it is today.

- Sprinkled in plenty of fascinating side stories to keep it fun.

- Wrote it all in a lighthearted, conversational way — without losing a shred of accuracy.

- Made history something you’ll want to read — because the best thing about America has always been the stories.

It isn’t a textbook. It’s a guide. A conversation. A walk through history with a little wit and a lot of clarity.

You’ll learn:

The story of the people and events behind the Constitution.

What the Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights really say. And why.

The brilliant ideas (and arguments!) that made it all possible.

Why natural rights and consent-based government were revolutionary at the time.

“This book spelled out everything about the founding of the United States in the perfect amount of detail while adding humor to keep it interesting..."

Witty? Yes. Accurate? Always. Long and painful? Never.

These books were written for people like us—people who want to learn without needing a law degree or a stack of Red Bull.

You can read each in a weekend. Maybe even an afternoon. And when you’re done, you’ll know all about Constitution, the great stories of the United States of America and the people who argued to the death about the details and fought for its success.

Not just the words and dates—but the meaning. The background. The people. The events. The fun facts. 

“Every single teenager should be reading this book as part of their history and/or government classes. Adults should read this book every couple of years as a reminder.”

“If you want a quick overview of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, with some fun trivia thrown in, this is the book for you.”

This double dose of learning is best when taken together, so I wanted to make it easy to get the two-book shortcut of the essential American reading list.

So, I lowered the price. Then I lowered it again.

History books usually fall into two categories: impossibly dry or hopelessly long. This one is neither.

Think of it as the “greatest hits album” of American history. 

You'll learn:

The stories, characters, and oddball events that shaped a very unruly nation. 

All the high points (people, events, struggles and the underlying vibes) of the American experiment.

The melting pot experience; when the flavors came together and when the pot boiled over.

Everything from the nomadic Siberians who found this place to the founding, wars, struggles, cultural revolutions and the modern tech revolution. 

I always meant to really get to know America, not just the tourist-brochure version, but the real story of how this country came together, what makes it tick, and why it’s still so gloriously complicated. You too?

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone:

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a shortcut to becoming smarter about America? One that actually makes you enjoy learning it?

Here’s what I did about it — and it’s helped thousands of readers finally feel confident about the story of this country:

It’s guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at the next backyard cookout.

It'll give you the background you need to engage in conversations... with confidence.

Two books! One low price!

And once I finished The Practical Guide to America, I realized the story wouldn’t be complete without a book that explains the history, the people, and yes, the stories about how it all works.

So I added The Practical Guide to the United States Constitution.