City on a Hill - a History of American Exceptionalism

This book provides a critical-historical analysis of the phrase 'city on a hill,' which was first used in a sermon by John Winthrop in the 1600s.

Van Engen explores how this phrase has been used and reinterpreted over time, particularly in the context of American exceptionalism.

The book spans American history from the 17th to the 21st century, examining the original social context of Winthrop's sermon, the absence of the phrase in American texts until the 20th century, and its impact on national narratives.

It also delves into how historical societies, education, and historical writing have shaped the story of an exceptional New England and the conflation of Pilgrims with Puritans.

The book highlights the malleability of history and the power of perceived origins in competing visions of the nation, engaging with current scholarly conversations about Indigenous histories and settler colonialism.