The idea that citizens' advancement should depend exclusively on merit, on qualities that deserve reward rather than on bloodlines or wire-pulling, was among the Founding ideals of the American republic, Joseph F. Kett argues in this provocative and engaging book. Merit's history, he contends, is best understood within the context of its often conflicting interaction with the other ideals of the Founding, equal rights and government by consent. Merit implies difference; equality suggests sameness. By sanctioning selection of those lower down by those higher up, merit potentially conflicts with the republican ideal that citizens consent to the decisions that affect their lives. In Merit, which traces the history of its subject over three centuries, Kett asserts that Americans have reconciled merit with other principles of the Founding in ways that have shaped their distinctive approach to the grading of public schools, report cards, the forging of workplace hierarchies, employee rating forms, merit systems in government, the selection of officers for the armed forces, and standardized testing for intelligence, character, and vocational interests. Today, the concept of merit is most commonly associated with measures by which it is quantified. Viewing their merit as an element of their selfhood-essential merit-members of the Founding generation showed no interest in quantitative measurements. Rather, they equated merit with an inner quality that accounted for their achievements and that was best measured by their reputations among their peers. In a republic based on equal rights and consent of the people, however, it became important to establish that merit-based rewards were within the grasp of ordinary Americans. In response, Americans embraced institutional merit in the form of procedures focused on drawing small distinctions among average people. They also developed a penchant for increasing the number of winners in competitions-what Kett calls "selection in" rather than "selection out"-in order to satisfy popular aspirations. Kett argues that values rooted in the Founding of the republic continue to influence Americans' approach to controversies, including those surrounding affirmative action, which involve the ideal of merit.

The idea that citizens' advancement should depend exclusively on merit, on qualities that deserve reward rather than on bloodlines or wire-pulling, was among the Founding ideals of the American republic, Joseph F. Kett argues in this provocative and engaging book. Merit's history, he contends, is best understood within the context of its often conflicting interaction with the other ideals of the Founding, equal rights and government by consent. Merit implies difference; equality suggests sameness. By sanctioning selection of those lower down by those higher up, merit potentially conflicts with the republican ideal that citizens consent to the decisions that affect their lives.In Merit, which traces the history of its subject over three centuries, Kett asserts that Americans have reconciled merit with other principles of the Founding in ways that have shaped their distinctive approach to the grading of public schools, report cards, the forging of workplace hierarchies, employee rating forms, merit systems in government, the selection of officers for the armed forces, and standardized testing for intelligence, character, and vocational interests. Today, the concept of merit is most commonly associated with measures by which it is quantified.Viewing their merit as an element of their selfhood—essential merit—members of the Founding generation showed no interest in quantitative measurements. Rather, they equated merit with an inner quality that accounted for their achievements and that was best measured by their reputations among their peers. In a republic based on equal rights and consent of the people, however, it became important to establish that merit-based rewards were within the grasp of ordinary Americans. In response, Americans embraced institutional merit in the form of procedures focused on drawing small distinctions among average people. They also developed a penchant for increasing the number of winners in competitions—what Kett calls "selection in" rather than "selection out"—in order to satisfy popular aspirations. Kett argues that values rooted in the Founding of the republic continue to influence Americans’ approach to controversies, including those surrounding affirmative action, which involve the ideal of merit.

The Enduring Vision features an engaging narrative that integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework. The first U.S. history survey to incorporate sustained attention to cultural history, the text is also known for its innovative coverage of public health, the environment, and the West--including Native American history.The Sixth Edition presents increased global coverage and a new comparative feature, Beyond America: Global Interactions, which provides an international context for significant developments in the United States. A range of student oriented pedagogical features, including focus questions and an online glossary, makes this edition even more accessible. The authors continue to explore the enduring vision of the American people, a vision they describe as a shared determination to live up to the values that give meaning to America. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

The Enduring Vision features an engaging narrative that integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework. The first U.S. history survey to incorporate sustained attention to cultural history, the text is also known for its innovative coverage of public health, the environment, and the West--including Native American history. The Sixth Edition presents increased global coverage and a new comparative feature, Beyond America: Global Interactions, which provides an international context for significant developments in the United States. A range of student oriented pedagogical features--including focus questions and an online glossary--makes this edition even more accessible. The authors continue to explore the enduring vision of the American people, a vision they describe as a shared determination to live up to the values that give meaning to America. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Il volume descrive la nascita e l'evoluzione del concetto di adolescenza in America fra la fine del Diciottesimo e il Ventesimo secolo.

The Enduring Vision features an engaging narrative that integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework. The first U.S. history survey to incorporate sustained attention to cultural history, the text is also known for its innovative coverage of public health, the environment, and the West--including Native American history. The Sixth Edition presents increased global coverage and a new comparative feature, Beyond America: Global Interactions, which provides an international context for significant developments in the United States. A range of student oriented pedagogical features--including focus questions and an online glossary--makes this edition even more accessible. The authors continue to explore the enduring vision of the American people, a vision they describe as a shared determination to live up to the values that give meaning to America. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

THE ENDURING VISION's engaging narrative integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework. Known for its focus on the environment and the land, the text is also praised for its innovative coverage of cultural history, public health and medicine, and the West--including Native American history. The eighth edition incorporates new scholarship throughout, includes a variety of new photos, and brings the discussion fully up to date with coverage of the 2012 presidential campaign. Based on the popularity of the Going to the Source feature, which was introduced in the previous edition, additional Going to the Source selections are offered online in the eighth edition. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Student Achievement Series (SAS): The Enduring Vision,is an innovative survey text and part of a program developed in partnership with teachers and students to meet the learning, study, and assessment goals necessary for student success. Through extensive research and focus groups conducted with a diverse cross-section of students, Houghton Mifflin presents a groundbreaking solution for skills mastery, understanding, and retention. Feedback from students has been instrumental in all aspects of development—from design and pedagogy to testing and assessment to title and packaging. These elements culminate in a textbook program that reflects the way students learn and study best. As with all texts in theStudent Achievement Series, SAS: The Enduring Visionincorporates concise, to-the-point coverage; eliminates extraneous material; integrates pedagogy that reinforces key concepts; features a strong, supporting web component for review, testing, and assessment purposes; and provides students with real value for their educational dollar. Like the corresponding full-length version,SAS: The Enduring Visionfeatures an engaging narrative that integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework.The Enduring Visionwas the first U.S. history survey to incorporate sustained attention to cultural history, and is also known for its innovative coverage of the West, public health, and the environment. Each chapter opens with a set ofFocus Questionsthat correspond to a designated section of the chapter. These questions provide a framework for the material to follow and promote active reading. Where appropriate, key information—such as section-endingChecking Insummaries—appears in bulleted format for quick and clear presentation and ample opportunity for students to check their understanding. Tying It Togetherchapter summaries provide a brief response to and page reference for each chapter-openingFocus Question,helping students synthesize chapter themes and directing them to areas that may require further study. Key terms are highlighted throughout the text, and appear as a group at the end of each chapter with page references that direct students to the definitions. Pronunciation guides, which immediately follow difficult or unfamiliar words, give students the confidence they need to discuss what they've read in the chapter. The fully integratedSAStechnology program promotes review, retention, and skills assessment. Icons in the margins of the text link students to web site material such as online quizzing, audio pronunciation guides, and chapter summaries. A range of course management tools further enhances learning and instruction. Titles in theStudent Achievement Seriesare affordably priced, making them ideal for student learning—and student budgets. The Enduring Visionis also available in a comprehensive version, as well as Concise and Dolphin Editions.

THE ENDURING VISION, CONCISE, International Edition, is an engaging narrative that integrates political, social, and cultural history within a chronological framework. Known for its focus on the environment and the land, the text is also praised for its innovative coverage of cultural history, public health and medicine, and the West—including Native American history. The Seventh Edition brings the work fully up to date, and was carefully revised to create a sharper narrative.