Comment

What Is America?

a Short History of the New World Order
Oct 24, 2013zipread rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What is America? --- by Ronal Wright. Wright is a historian, novelist and essayist. His works look at the connections between the past and the present, the roles of powerful people, capitalists and politicians on their societies. "What is America?" has been a number one bestseller. To understand America, Wright takes the long view, all the way back to the pre-Columbian and then proceeds to skewer America on its own past that have given rise to her myths: the savage Indian; the noble Pilgrim; the favour of being God’s chosen people; the unending frontier; Manifest Destiny; arbiter of world peace. And on and on and on. Certain elements of the reading public will nod their collective heads in recognition of the truths held by this work. Other readers won’t read this book at all or heave it through the window or into the fireplace without recognizing its truths. Wright’s work is scholarly: not founded on self delusion but firmly based on demonstrative fact: there are almost 100 pages of notes and commentary; over twenty pages of bibliography. Wright’s “What is America?” is easy to read. The words almost flow across the page: his style is almost poetic. He writes with elegant clarity and conviction. At times, this book almost reads like a novel: there is plot; there are protagonists: villains and heroes; there is a rise to climax; only the happy ending is not there. Will there be a happy ending? Or not? “What is America?” is so compelling it is difficult to put down. He never makes a claim to historical fact without support: his book is a romp through the myth of America rather this book is a sad review of self delusion.