Welcome to An Unquiet American

I’m glad you’re here!

An Unquiet American began from a simple premise: that history is not behind us, that literature is not frivolous, and that careful reading and writing are a way to make sense of what the world asks of us.

Here, we will read texts—ancient and modern—in context. We will look at war, espionage, and politics not only as events, but as human activities shaped by fear, loyalty, ambition, and loss.

As an instructor for combat veterans and civilians affected by war, I’ve learned that literature does not erase trauma or resolve moral injury. What it can do is give us back our voices and offer structure where experience has overwhelmed meaning.

Over time, I hope An Unquiet American becomes a community of people willing to think historically, read carefully, and sit with difficult material without rushing to certainty. A place for serious readers and writers gathered around questions that resist easy answers.

—Barbara Nickless

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