We considered a list of the best American books. Here are five that may help accurately show the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach, and inspire: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal  pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories. The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography. Born in one of America's most famous political families, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime. Poems by Emily Dickinson An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickson's frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization  of nouns, and unconventional metaphors  have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive poets of the 19thcentury American literature. However, most of her poems were not published during her lifetime. The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow First published in 1855, this is Longfellow's most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace. If you want to read a story about a magic American Indian, you can read   _  .
Moby-Dick The Song of Hiawatha Poems Leaves of Grass