"Personally, I can't seem to get away from the quest-and-rescue narrative."

A few weeks ago, I finished Walter Kirn's Mission to America, and enjoyed it immensely -- it's bittersweet and insightful; moving and funny; and skillfully laid out.  Kirn and Stephen Metcalf discussed the book not long ago in Slate, and Kirn's discussion of the book's roots (19th century utopian movements were expected; the Hardy Boys....not so much) is fascinating.  Give it a read.