Book excerpt: Understanding the American Promise, Third Edition, features a brief, question-driven narrative that models for students the inquiry-based methods used by historians and features an innovative active learning pedagogy designed to foster greater comprehension of the reading. This book includes a full-color map and art program, new primary documents, and comprehensive supplement options including LaunchPad. It is also enhanced by LearningCurve, our easy-to-assign adaptive learning system that will ensure students come to class prepared.?