America's Prophet: How the Story of Moses Shaped America

Bruce Feilers New York Times bestsellers Abraham, Walking the Bible, and Where God Was Born brilliantly explored the roots of faith. With Americas Prophet, Feiler looks at Moses and the essential role the prophet has played in our nations history and development. Bruce Feilers most fascinating and thought-provoking book to date, Americas Prophet delves deeply into how the Exodus story and Americas true “Spiritual Founding Father” have inspired many of the most important figures and defining events in this countrys history—from the Mayflower Pilgrims to the Civil Rights movement—and how Moses can provide meaning in times of national crisis, even today.

The story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt has provided inspiration for many throughout the history of the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to Moses in his famous "I have been to the mountaintop" speech, delivered the day before his assassination. From the arrival of the first Pilgrims to Abraham Lincoln's address at Gettysburg, it has been a defining theme in American life.

One part adventure story, one part literary detective story, and one part exploration of faith, Bruce Feiler's America's Prophet traces the influence of Moses throughout remarkably diverse aspects of American history. Bestselling author Feiler suggests that Moses, who has been heralded by all political parties and embraced as an icon by every generation from Plymouth to today, offers a path to reclaim the unifying vision of America as the beacon of freedom - the new Promised Land.

Bruce Feiler is the New York Times bestselling author of Walking the Bible, Abraham, and Where God Was Born. Feiler is a graduate of Yale and Cambridge Universities. He is a frequent contributor to NPR and CNN, a contributing editor for Parade, and has written for the New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, USA Today, and Gourmet, where he won three James Beard Awards. In 2006, PBS aired a celebrated miniseries based on Walking the Bible, with Feiler as host. His blog, "Feiler Faster," appears on Beliefnet.org. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and twin daughters.

"This is one of the most original, intelligent and endlessly fascinating books I have read in years: it should become a set book for anyone wanting to know what truly makes America tick."

- Simon Winchester

Hailed as one of the most original works of history in years, America's Prophet reveals how generations of Americans have been inspired by the story of Moses.

The pilgrims quoted his story. Franklin and Jefferson proposed he appear on the U.S. seal. Washington and Lincoln were called his incarnations. The Statue of Liberty and Superman were molded in his image. Martin Luther King Jr. invoked him the night before he died. Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama cited him as inspiration. For four hundred years, one figure has inspired more Americans than any other. His name is Moses.

Traveling through touchstones in American history, bestselling author Bruce Feiler traces the biblical prophet's influence from the Mayflower through today. Meticulously researched and highly readable, America's Prophet is a thrilling, original work of history that will forever change how we view America, our faith, and our future.