Drunkards, laggards, prostitutes, pirates, and other heroes of the American revolution -- The freedom of slavery -- The slavery of freedom -- Whores and the origins of women's liberation -- A rhythmless nation -- From white chimps to Yankee doodles : the Irish -- The Jew was a Negro -- Italian-Americans : out of Africa -- Shopping : the real American Revolution -- How gangsters made America a better place -- "Behold a dictator" : fascism and the New Deal -- Just how popular was World War II? -- How juvenile delinquents won the Cold War -- "A process of self-purification" : the civil rights movement's attack on African-Americans -- Gay liberation, American liberation -- Almost free : the promise and tragedy of rednecks and hippies.