December 23, 2008 VT author lists 13 books that changed America Play video

(Anya Huneke, NECN: Middlebury, VT) - On one of the busiest days of the year at the Vermont book shop in Middlebury, books are flying off the shelves at an impressive pace, and this one is no exception.

"We ran out... we're down to just a few."

It's called 'Promised Land: 13 books that changed America'-- and it's popular, in part, because the man behind it is Middlebury English professor Jay Parini.

It's also popular because of its objective: To delve into the American psyche through literature.

"This book is an x-ray vision of the American soul."

Parini's work began three years ago when he was living in London- and was attending, one night, a very stale lecture, as he recalls, on 12 books that changed the world.

From a couple hundred, he whittled his list down to thirteen... And in this book- he explains why.

“These are books that shaped America's sense of itself in history."

On Parini's list: 'The adventures of Huckleberry Finn'... 'The journals of Lewis and Clark'... And 'Uncle Tom's cabin."

"Harriet Beecher Stowe galvanized the abolitionist sentiment when it was published in the 1850s. This book made it possible for the North to go to war with the South in the Civil War."

He also includes 'Of Plymouth plantation'... And 'The Federalist Papers.'

"It shaped our sense of who we are as a body politic."

Then there's 'Walden'... 'The autobiography of Ben Franklin'... 'On the Road'...

"It's about the foundation of American Counter-culture."

'The souls of black folk'... 'The feminine mystique'

"The Feminist Movement as we know it began with Betty Freidan."

Dr. Spock's 'common sense book of baby and child care'... 'The promised land'... And 'how to win friends and influence people.'

"For those who aren't satisfied with Parini's 13 picks- don't worry. There's an appendix containing 100 more books that changed America. On that list: some classics, like 'Moby Dick' and 'Gone with the Wind'... and some less literary works, like the 1902 'Sears Roebuck Catalog' and Jane Fonda's Workout book."

"Jane Fonda's book got everybody on the exercise machine doing aerobics."

Parini has gotten criticism for his selections... But says that's to be expected. And he stresses- his list isn't of the greatest books... But the most influential... Ones he hopes we'll all read. So if you're looking for holiday shopping ideas- Parini has 13... Make that- 14.