But most important, the editor said, the book "has touched a nerve in the American conscience."

The injustices that echoed through its pages stirred the American conscience and helped, in a small way, to spur the 1960's civil rights movement.

To soothe the American conscience about its failure to prevent actual recent slaughters?

The Vietnam War was beginning to intrude on the American conscience.

James peaked at 17 in the American conscience.

It is a question that should bug the American conscience.

By virtue of his troubled life and a single decent gesture, he is embedded in the American conscience.

Most American consciences were heavy, in the sense of not living up to their own dreams.

Where is the American conscience on this subject?

"She has been part of the American poetic conscience for some time."