Book: Walter Johnson, “The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States”

A critical evaluation of Johnson’s accomplishments and their significance. This book explores historical foundations of urgent contemporary issues. Identify the questions that shape and motivate the book, the answers the author proposes, and, most importantly, the consequences of those questions and answers for understanding the modern United States.

What is the author saying about modern US history?
What is the author trying to accomplish in this book (on its own terms)?
What questions is the author asking?
What did the author of the book want to figure out?
How does he go about what they want to accomplish?