In this text, authors William J. Rorabaugh, Donald T. Critchlow, and Paula Baker effectively blend political, social and cultural history to present a balanced portrait of America's past. Designed to emphasize major themes and events, the work also captures the rich and often amusing character of the American people. Extensively revised and expanded from America: A Concise History (Rorabaugh and Critchlow), America's Promise is a succinct, highly readable introduction to American history.

Chapter 15: Reconstruction, 1863-1877 Chapter 16: The Frontier and Westward Expansion Chapter 17: Industry and Labor in the Gilded Age Chapter 18: The Structure of Gilded Age Politics Chapter 19: Immigrants and the City Transform American Society Chapter 20: Depression, Protest, and Politics Chapter 21: America Acquires an Empire Chapter 22: The Progressive Years Chapter 23: Global Power and World War Chapter 24: The Paradox of the 1920s Chapter 25: The Great Depression and the New Deal Chapter 26: A Global Nation: World War II and the Origins of the Cold War Chapter 27: The Cold War Haunts the "Fabulous Fifties" Chapter 28: Decade of Illusion, 1960-1969 Chapter 29: The Tumultuous Years: Nixon-Ford-Carter, 1968-1980 Chapter 30: The Reagan Revolution and its Aftermath Chapter 31: America Enters the Twenty-first Century Appendix I: The Declaration of Independence Appendix II: The Constitution of the United States of America Appendix III: U.S. Population Characteristics Appendix IV: Population for Selected Large Cities Appendix V: Presidential Elections Appendix VI: Chronology Glossary