The History of America’s Near-Miss Empire
A new book about America's history of trying to buy Greenland, take Cuba, absorb Canada, and claim lands around the world.
How much bigger could America have been?
America, but Bigger uncovers the strange, often-forgotten history of U.S. expansions that didn't quite make it.
The United States didn’t just take territory. It repeatedly came close to taking much more. From private adventurers trying to bring Central America into the Union, to serious proposals to acquire Greenland, Samoa, and beyond, these episodes reveal a country whose borders were far less settled than we assume.
Drawing on over two centuries of failed invasions, abandoned deals, and near-misses, the book shows how close America came to being much larger—and how those ambitions still resonate today.
Copyright © 2026 - All Rights Reserved.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.