Sentimental Democracy: The Evolution of America's Romantic Self-Image

Examines the emotional dynamic and the metaphorically rich language which Americans developed to express their guiding principle: that the New World would improve upon the Old. Draws on newspapers, private letters, speeches, and diaries to show how the 18th-century "culture of sensibility" encouraged early Americans to make a heartfelt commitment to the Enlightenment's optimism about a global society. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)