The author recounts a writing assignment in India for which she studied the Hindi language in Rajasthan, where she witnessed radical changes that were occurring throughout the country and investigated how those changes were shaping the language.
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Every schoolchild is taught the great turning points in American history, such as Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, and 9/11. But other, equally significant, events have altered our destiny without being understood---or even widely noticed.Acclaimed conservative historian Larry Schweikart now takes an in-depth look at seven such episodes and reveals the profound ways they have shaped America. He also asks readers to reconsider them not just in terms of what happened, but also in light of the Founding Fathers' vision for our nation. What would Washington, Jefferson, or Madison have said about these events?In the same reader-friendly style of his previous best-seller, A Patriot's History of the United States, and of 48 Liberal Lies About American History, Professor Schweikart doesn't merely recount our history---he forces us to rethink what makes our country great. He shows how individual liberty, private enterprise, and small government helped build a free and prosperous nation. Conversely, whenever these values are threatened by big government, oppressive taxes, and special interests, we lose sight of the principles that make us strong. You'll be surprised to learn how these events spurred sweeping changes that still affect us today.In this time of national uncertainty, it has never been more important for Americans to understand what has shaped our national destiny. This provocative book will enlighten anyone looking for clarity about our past and inspiration for our future.In this mesmerizing chronicle, journalist Katherine Russell Rich plunges into new language and new life in India. By turns funny, frightening, and deeply exhilarating, Dreaming in Hindi details the extraordinary year Rich spent learning to speak Hindi in the ancient city of Udaipur. The language continually led her into unexpected far corners: she taught art at a school for the deaf, judged a Michael Jackson impersonation contest, watched as political tension erupted into violence, and, by the end of the year, found herself utterly changed. Seamlessly combining stories from her personal journey with wide-ranging reporting on the science of language acquisition. Dreaming in Hindi offers a thought-provoking account of what learning a new tongue can teach us about distant worlds and, ultimately, ourselves."Rich is a charming raconteur."---San Francisco Chronicle
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