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| yearpublished = 1909

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'''The Promise of American Life''' was a book written by [[Herbert Croly]], which was one of the most influential political books of the 20th century.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wuv_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA249 The Democratic Imagination in America: Conversations with Our Past]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bpx2AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA114 Encyclopedia of Politics: The Left and the Right]</ref><ref>[http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/03/herbert-croly-progressive-apostle Herbert D. Croly: Apostle of Progressivism], [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref>  Though not widely read outside of academic circles,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Eb03DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT27 A Study Guide for Herbert Croly's "The Promise of American Life"]</ref> the book would have a lasting effect on President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] and may have been the source for the concept of the ''New Nationalism''.<ref>[http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1965/jul/01/herbert-crolys-america/ Herbert Croly’s America]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sYZ4AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA205 The California Republic: Institutions, Statesmanship, and Policies]</ref> It would also have a role in shaping the [[New Deal]].<ref>[http://www.cambridgescholars.com/download/sample/59036 Herbert Croly’s The Promise of American Life at Its Centenary]</ref>

'''The Promise of American Life''' was a book written by [[Herbert Croly]], which was one of the most influential political books of the 20th century.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wuv_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA249 The Democratic Imagination in America: Conversations with Our Past]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bpx2AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA114 Encyclopedia of Politics: The Left and the Right]</ref><ref>[http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/03/herbert-croly-progressive-apostle Herbert D. Croly: Apostle of Progressivism], [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref>

==Book Reviews==

 

===Book Reviews===

After reading ''The Promise of American Life'', former President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] wrote the following:

After reading ''The Promise of American Life'', former President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] wrote the following:

<blockquote>In Mr. Herbert Croly's 'Promise of American Life," the most profound and illuminating study of our National conditions which has appeared for many years, especial emphasis is laid on the assertion that the whole point of our governmental experiment lies in the fact that it is a genuine effort to achieve true democracy - both political and industrial.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roosevelt|first=Theodore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hs7UAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA96|title=Nationalism and Popular Rule|work=The Outlook|date=January 21, 1911|pages=96–101}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>In Mr. Herbert Croly's 'Promise of American Life," the most profound and illuminating study of our National conditions which has appeared for many years, especial emphasis is laid on the assertion that the whole point of our governmental experiment lies in the fact that it is a genuine effort to achieve true democracy - both political and industrial.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roosevelt|first=Theodore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hs7UAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA96|title=Nationalism and Popular Rule|work=The Outlook|date=January 21, 1911|pages=96–101}}</ref></blockquote>

According to the [[University of Houston]]: "If any one book can be said to offer a manifesto of Progressive beliefs, it was Herbert Croly's The Promise of American Life."<ref>[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3135 Herbert Croly and The Promise of American Life]</ref>

According to the [[University of Houston]]: "If any one book can be said to offer a manifesto of Progressive beliefs, it was Herbert Croly's The Promise of American Life."<ref>[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3135 Herbert Croly and The Promise of American Life]</ref>

==Goals==

===Goals===

In the book, Croly argued that a more equitable distribution of wealth was desirable.

In the book, Croly argued that a more equitable distribution of wealth was desirable.

<blockquote>In becoming responsible for the subordination of the individual to the demand of a dominant and constructive national purpose the American state will in effect be making itself responsible for a morally and socially desirable distribution of wealth.<br />

<blockquote>In becoming responsible for the subordination of the individual to the demand of a dominant and constructive national purpose the American state will in effect be making itself responsible for a morally and socially desirable distribution of wealth.<br />