American Odyssey: What an Ancient Story Reveals about Our Divided Souls

What an Ancient Story Reveals about Our Divided Souls

by: Dr. Patrick Deneen

Dr. Patrick Deneen's—one of America's most influential political philosophers and a professor at the University of Notre Dame—release of American Odyssey, an Amazon Best History Book of July 2026, offering a Catholic interpretation of one of Western civilization's foundational works.

As debate grows over Nolan's creative liberties, historical departures, and casting choices, Creed & Culture's new book American Odyssey invites readers to look beyond the spectacle and rediscover the enduring truths at the heart of Homer's masterpiece. Rather than simply recounting an ancient adventure, Dr. Deneen shows how The Odyssey is ultimately a story of virtue, fidelity, sacrifice, homecoming, and man's longing for his true homeland—themes that resonate deeply with the Catholic understanding of the spiritual life.

Dr. Deneen explains what Catholics can learn from The Odyssey that a Hollywood adaptation simply cannot convey, including Homer's vision of courage and temptation. He further lays out how Odysseus's journey mirrors the Christian pilgrimage toward our heavenly home, and what it teaches us about marriage, fatherhood, perseverance, and the moral life.

Significantly, American Odyssey demonstrates why Homer's epic remains one of the most influential stories in Western—and Christian—civilization. Dr. Deneen argues that The Odyssey is one of the most American stories ever told. He also shares the story of discovering a previously unpublished review of The Odyssey written by Mark Twain.

Hardcover
198 Pages
Creed & Culture
July 21, 2026
ISBN: 9781967613328