SKU: 16592077402

How the Post Office Created America: A History

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How the Post Office Created America: A History"'The history of its Post Office is nothing less than the story of America, ' Ms. Gallagher's opening sentence declares, and in this lively book she makes the case well." Wall Street Journal A masterful history of a long underappreciated institution, How the Post Office Created America examines the surprising role of the postal service in our nation's political, social, economic, and physical development. The founders established the post office

"'The history of its Post Office is nothing less than the story of America, ' Ms. Gallagher's opening sentence declares, and in this lively book she makes the case well."--Wall Street Journal

A masterful history of a long underappreciated institution, How the Post Office Created America examines the surprising role of the postal service in our nation's political, social, economic, and physical development.

The founders established the post office before they had even signed the Declaration of Independence, and for a very long time, it was the U.S. government's largest and most important endeavor--indeed, it was the government for most citizens. This was no conventional mail network but the central nervous system of the new body politic, designed to bind thirteen quarrelsome colonies into the United States by delivering news about public affairs to every citizen--a radical idea that appalled Europe's great powers. America's uniquely democratic post powerfully shaped its lively, argumentative culture of uncensored ideas and opinions and made it the world's information and communications superpower with astonishing speed.

Winifred Gallagher presents the history of the post office as America's own story, told from a fresh perspective over more than two centuries. The mandate to deliver the mail--then "the media"--imposed the federal footprint on vast, often contested parts of the continent and transformed a wilderness into a social landscape of post roads and villages centered on post offices. The post was the catalyst of the nation's transportation grid, from the stagecoach lines to the airlines, and the lifeline of the great migration from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It enabled America to shift from an agrarian to an industrial economy and to develop the publishing industry, the consumer culture, and the political party system. Still one of the country's two major civilian employers, the post was the first to hire women, African Americans, and other minorities for positions in public life.

Starved by two world wars and the Great Depression, confronted with the country's increasingly anti-institutional mind-set, and struggling with its doubled mail volume, the post stumbled badly in the turbulent 1960s. Distracted by the ensuing modernization of its traditional services, however, it failed to transition from paper mail to email, which prescient observers saw as its logical next step. Now the post office is at a crossroads. Before deciding its future, Americans should understand what this grand yet overlooked institution has accomplished since 1775 and consider what it should and could contribute in the twenty-first century.

Gallagher argues that now, more than ever before, the imperiled post office deserves this effort, because just as the founders anticipated, it created forward-looking, communication-oriented, idea-driven America.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 07/04/2017
ISBN: 9780143130062
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 0.80d
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SKU: 16592077402

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Chrystal
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
A new take 🤔
Format: Kindle
I’m not going to go into what this book is about — by now you e already read the synopsis and have an idea — but I will give a couple of insights. Definitely a different take on angels and their fall; I like it. This is an interesting start to a new series - YES, this does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared for that. I’m eager for the next book (and hopefully the last in this series — sometimes the author(s) will switch it up depending on how the story flows for them) in this series. I’m hoping that a certain male character redeems himself because he’s a dick that will make the meaning of mixed signals jealous lol. You ever watch that old movie — I think it’s call Mommy Dearest? — yea, let’s switch that up to daddy. That man would make a perfect husband to mommy dearest. I recommend this book because while these authors are well known for their cliffhangers, they are also well known for putting out good stories.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
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M Weidner
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 3
Liked it
Format: Kindle
I liked the worlds and the characters. The prophesy is confusing in that I would think, since all worlds ore on a path to destruction, the angels would want their world to be saved. I am sure there is more evil that will be revealed as the series proceeds. I dislike a prolonged “poor little me” trope and the main character has moved past that, thankfully, and began to show a fierce attitude as the novel progressed. The last portion of the novel had some great action. It’s worth reading, just be patient with a slow start.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
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Darcie Reads A Lot
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Unexpectedly emotional and packed with action!
Format: Kindle
Why do I suddenly want nothing more than a tiny wyvern to snuggle with?! It’s adorable and I absolutely love all of those moments! Wings of Stars was everything I’ve come expect from this powerful author duo. The fact that it’s written by two different people is completely transparent to the reader and they’ve brought us another world and characters that we’re all emotionally connected to and fully invested in! The injustice that we see from Alfemir in the many forms in which it comes is infuriating and makes me desperate for the conclusion of the story so they can all get what’s coming to them! I love all the guys right now, with one exception, and if you’re read it, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Bastian is hilarious - he was the comedic relief through an otherwise quite serious story. My heart bleeds for him and I can’t wait to see how he progresses through the series. Parts of Wings of Stars were unexpectedly emotional and of course I was left with my jaw on the floor at that cliffhanger! Next, please!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2025
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josh portwood
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Niz !!!
Format: Kindle
First, let me say that I love both of these authors. I have been hooked by both ever since I discovered their writings, and I follow their social media groups closely. This book did not disappoint. Sure, there are several questions that I have, a couple of times I went huh (which I won't get into because I do not want to offer any spoilers) and I hated the cliff hanger lol, but I cannot lie and say I didn't love the book, because I did. The twist on angels was new and fresh, even though that is part of my questions. The beginning and ending were the better parts, the middle was needed but sorta bogged a little. Kieran was confusing but relatable. Niz is BY FAR the best character of the book, love NIZ. For me, Bastian is a close second, always loved the crazy ones. The other men were good, but Steele gets on my nerves and as of right now, IMO, he doesn't belong, but we will see how that goes. I have lots of questions, but this was an excellent start to a new series and I cannot wait for the next book. Highly recommend
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
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shark
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
fallen destiny? more like destined to fall in love
Format: Kindle
Kieran is an angel, but she doesn't have an affinity. Nothing angers her father more. If she doesn't find an affinity soon she will be cast to earth & have her wings removed. But she has the choice to become a fallen angel, wings turn black, & live her life on edge. Towards the end of the book things start to make sense. Gabe’s nickname for Kieran, Steele’a hatred, Bastian’s belief that Kieran is powerful. This book ended literally during a war? As one of her friends was injured, and admitted a bit secret? Talk about cliff hanger. The next book comes out August 5th.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024

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