About the book
For many Americans, the birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, unearthed from deep storage when applying for a driver’s license, verifying information for new employers, or claiming state and federal benefits. Yet as Donald Trump and his fellow “birthers” reminded us when they claimed that Barack Obama wasn’t an American citizen, it plays a central role in determining identity and citizenship.
In The Birth Certificate: An American History, award-winning historian Susan J. Pearson traces the document’s two-hundred-year history to explain when, how, and why birth certificates came to matter so much in the United States. Deftly weaving together social, political, and legal history, The Birth Certificate is a fascinating biography of a piece of paper that grounds our understanding of how those who live in the United States are considered Americans.
Editions of The Birth Certificate
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469665689
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469679334
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469665719
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890861627
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469665702
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890861610
Read an Excerpt
For many Americans, the birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, unearthed from deep storage when applying for a driver’s license, verifying information for new employers, or claiming state and federal benefits. Yet as Donald Trump and his fellow “birthers” reminded us when they claimed that Barack Obama wasn’t an American citizen, it plays a central role in determining identity and citizenship.
In The Birth Certificate: An American History, award-winning historian Susan J. Pearson traces the document’s two-hundred-year history to explain when, how, and why birth certificates came to matter so much in the United States. Deftly weaving together social, political, and legal history, The Birth Certificate is a fascinating biography of a piece of paper that grounds our understanding of how those who live in the United States are considered Americans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Birth Certificate about?
For many Americans, the birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, unearthed from deep storage when applying for a driver’s license, verifying information for new employers, or claiming state and federal benefits. Yet as Donald Trump and his fellow “birthers” reminded us when they claimed that Barack Obama wasn’t an American citizen, it plays a central role in determining identity and citizenship.
In The Birth Certificate: An American History, award-winning historian Susan J. Pearson traces the document’s two-hundred-year history to explain when, how, and why birth certificates came to matter so much in the United States. Deftly weaving together social, political, and legal history, The Birth Certificate is a fascinating biography of a piece of paper that grounds our understanding of how those who live in the United States are considered Americans.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Birth Certificate?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Birth Certificate?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469665689
How long is The Birth Certificate and how many pages does it have?
The Birth Certificate has 392 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Birth Certificate?
Susan J. Pearson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Birth Certificate is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469665689) and paperback(ISBN 9781469679334) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665719) and ebook(ISBN 9798890861627) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665702) and pdf(ISBN 9798890861610)
Where can I buy The Birth Certificate online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Birth Certificate from below
Where can I buy The Birth Certificate?