Richard T. Hughes identifies five important stories that are central to the American experience: the stories of the Chosen Nation, Nature's Nation, the Christian Nation, the Millennial Nation, and the Innocent Nation. Hughes argues that by treating these seemingly harmless stories as absolute truths, America risks undermining the equal promise of the Declaration of Independence. For example, the belief in the Chosen Nation led to the widespread killing of indigenous people during the pioneer era, while the Innocent Nation myth hindered understanding of the 9/11 terrorists' complex motivations. Myths America Lives By shows that Americans need to reconsider these stories with humility for the United States to fulfill its true promise. Hughes traces the origin of each myth to different periods in America's development, highlighting critiques from marginalized voices, particularly African Americans and Native Americans.