Garry Wills Books

The book offers a provocative analysis of Richard Nixon, suggesting that he may be viewed as a liberal despite his controversial presidency. It explores Nixon's opinions amid a tumultuous period in American history, marked by a misguided war in Asia and a disillusioned youth. The narrative delves into the complexities of Nixon's leadership and the broader implications for the American political landscape, making it both an entertaining and essential read for understanding the challenges faced by the nation during his administration.

This book explores the transformative impact of the atomic bomb on American democracy, highlighting how this pivotal event reshaped political dynamics, public perception, and national identity. It delves into the interplay between science, politics, and society, revealing the profound implications of nuclear power on governance and civic engagement. Through a critical lens, the author analyzes the moral and ethical dilemmas posed by nuclear arms, offering insights into the lasting effects on democratic principles and practices in the United States.

In a masterly work, Garry Wills shows how Lincoln reached back to the Declaration of Independence to write the greatest speech in the nation’s history. The power of words has rarely been given a more compelling demonstration than in the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln was asked to memorialize the gruesome battle. Instead he gave the whole nation “a new birth of freedom” in the space of a mere 272 words. His entire life and previous training and his deep political experience went into this, his revolutionary masterpiece. By examining both the address and Lincoln in their historical moment and cultural frame, Wills breathes new life into words we thought we knew, and reveals much about a president so mythologized but often misunderstood. Wills shows how Lincoln came to change the world and to effect an intellectual revolution, how his words had to and did complete the work of the guns, and how Lincoln wove a spell that has not yet been broken.

From one of America's foremost historians, Inventing America compares Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final, accepted version, thereby challenging many long-cherished assumptions about both the man and the document. Although Jefferson has long been idealized as a champion of individual rights, Wills argues that in fact his vision was one in which interdependence, not self-interest, lay at the foundation of society. "No one has offered so drastic a revision or so close or convincing an analysis as Wills has . . . The results are little short of astonishing" (Edmund S. Morgan New York Review of Books ).

Bestselling author Wills showcases Henry Adams little-known but seminal studyof the early United States, and draws from it fresh insights on the paradoxesthat roil America to this day.

Focusing on John Wayne as a cultural icon, this biography explores how he came to represent American values and significantly influenced mid-twentieth-century society. The author, known for his eloquent prose, delves into the interplay between popular entertainment and political realities, presenting Wayne's life as a narrative that reflects broader themes in American life. Through this unique lens, the work offers a compelling examination of how one figure shaped the cultural landscape of his era.

The Kennedy clan is explored through a historical and psychological lens, revealing a family caught between public admiration and personal turmoil. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Garry Wills examines their fluctuating leadership, the paradox of their fame, and the myths of success and masculinity that ensnared them. He uncovers how their flawed understanding of power influenced their public personas and private relationships, including interactions with women and world leaders. This insightful analysis blends gossip and philosophy, making it both relevant and thought-provoking.

Offers a new look at Thomas Jefferson and his presidency, his election due to the "slave power" vote, the relationship between the power of the slave states and his administration's policies, and the opposition he faced.

Garry Wills explores the significance of the Qur'an, delving into its historical context and meaning. The book aims to illuminate the text's impact on faith and culture, offering insights into its relevance in contemporary discussions. Wills' analysis promises to engage readers with thought-provoking interpretations and a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.

An introduction to Confessions, one of the most important books in the Christian and Western traditions. It tells the story of the Confessions - what motivated Augustine to dictate it, how it asks to be read, and the many ways it has been misread in the one-and-a-half millennia since it was composed.