How the Post Office Created America: A History

The author describes the major influence of the Post Office on the formation of America and its shared values. I had not realized that our first Postal System and Postmaster was established by England for the King, and that set the tone and purpose of the Post for many decades. The public/private conflict and benefits established and later supported by Congress are still major influences today. The reader is given the different perspectives that have shaped the Postal System over its lifetime, as well as some prospective of where it goes from here in this digital age. Well worth the read.

A great insight into the little known role the Post played in the development of a nation. Of particular interest to me as the son of two Postmasters. It is also a clear window into the pros and cons of government involvement in any endeavor, and the many lost opportunities to build on the remarkable infrastructure developed over two hundred years.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars--This is an amazing book. I can tell you that history is/was not one of my favorite subjects in school....but, reading this book was the best history lesson about how the USA is what it is now. I can definitely appreciate how critical the development of the Post Office was to the creation of the USA. But more than that, it is critical to the creation of any nation. I would love to promote improving our postal service here in Mexico so that we can see small businesses flourish. It is quite hard without that supercritical help. It would make an amazing experiment that should confirm how a great postal service helps in the economic development of a nation. I hope I get to see our postal service improvement in Mexico before I move on....and join my relatives. However, do not take my word, get this book and read it yourself, you will love it!

My husband and I saw this book recommended by a funny and fascinating art historian on YouTube with a series called “Perspectives.” He was discussing American art in one particular video and was going to various small town post offices. We ordered this book, and it really is an interesting angle of American and art history. Check it out!

Who would imagine that the history of the postal service could be so enlightening as to its real impact on many aspects of the Nation’s development.

very interesting from a historical perspective.

Reading the story of the Post Office makes you realize how important the mail and those who carried it were and are to America. The book was wonderfully written and tells the many triumphs and tragedies that the Post has gone thru in 200 plus years of service. A must read.

Winifred Gallagher's "How the Post Office Created America: A History" packs over two hundred years of United States postal history into a densely written, educational, and entertaining read. Gallagher overviews how the Post Office impacted society, especially rural society, in efficiently and effectively communicating information. The result has been the creation of a more egalitarian and educated society intimately informed not only of local issues, but also of state, national, and international matters. The book is superbly edited, it reads smoothly, quickly, and remains on point in each chapter. Each chapter includes a summary that ties up the thoughts of the author and, from my perspective, lends credence to the author's Afterward. In particular, given the Post Office's history and the rapid changes in technology, and to some extent policy, what will the Post Office look like in the future? Is it to be operated as a business focused solely on the bottom line? Is it also to be a social force and change agent? Or both? Those interested in the Post Office's history should also read Marshall Cushing's "The Story of Our Post Office: The Greatest Government Department in All Its Phases," which was published in 1893. Gallagher mentions Cushing several times in her book. Over a thousand pages in length, Cushing's history provides an incredible amount detail concerning policy, mechanics, assets, and people associated with the Post Office's first century.

well satisfied

Interesting book but needs more colour photos of actual paintings depicted in US post offices.