In 'These Truths: A History of the United States,' Jill Lepore examines the American journey with a critic's eye and a historian's insight. From Columbus's historic voyage in 1492 through the ever-evolving tale of the nation, Lepore dissects the truths that founding father Thomas Jefferson declared: political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people, and scrutinizes how closely the United States has adhered to these ideals. Covering more than five centuries of political struggle, the rise and transformation of democracy, and the ongoing discourse about the nation's history, Lepore presents a thought-provoking and timely analysis that weighs the beauty against the tragedy of American history.