Uncover America’s Untold Stories on a Riveting Road Trip Through History with Beverly Gage
In the end, Gage reminds readers that, when trying to answer the central question (Is the sun rising or setting on America?), it often proves hard to know at any given moment. She acknowledges that America’s history is often deeply troubling and that many of the recent developments are “alarming.” Still, she remains grounded in the knowledge that the fear of decline or collapse that permeates virtually every era often inspires reflection and a redoubling of efforts to improve things. During her visit to the Lyndon Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, Texas, Gage observed a quote by LBJ, which described history as “the excitement of becoming — always becoming, trying, probing, falling, resting, and trying again.” I’m inclined to agree with Gage that Johnson’s words accurately frame “about the best we can do.”
