"Sarah Churchwell offers a surprising account of twentieth-century Americans' fierce battle for the nation's soul. It follows the stories of two phrases--the "American dream" and "America First"--that once embodied opposing visions for America. Starting as a Republican motto before becoming a hugely influential isolationist slogan during World War I, America First was always closely linked with authoritarianism and white supremacy. The American dream, meanwhile, initially represented a broad vision of democratic and economic equality. Churchwell traces these notions through the 1920s boom, the Depression, and the rise of fascism at home and abroad, laying bare the persistent appeal of demagoguery in America and showing us how it was resisted. At a time when many ask what America's future holds, Behold, America is a revelatory, unvarnished portrait of where we have been"--. Provided by publisher.

Originally published: London : Bloomsbury, 2018.

Prologue : first, America first -- The American dream 1900-1916 : the spirit of American dreams -- America first 1900-1916 : pure Americanism against the universe -- The American dream 1917-1920 : what do you call that but socialism? -- America first 1917-1920 : we have emerged from Dreamland -- The American dream 1921-1923 : salesmen of prosperity -- America first 1920-1923 : the simplicity of government -- The American dream 1924-1929 : a willingness of the heart -- America first 1923-1929 : a super patriot, patriot -- The American dream 1930-1934 : das Dollarland -- America first 1930-1934 : the official recognition of reality -- The American dream 1934-1939 : the pageant of history -- America first 1935-1939 : it can happen here -- America first and the American dream 1939-1941 : Americans! Wake up! -- Epilogue : 1945-2017 still America firsting.