Scan barcode
terb3ar's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Premise
- An examination of nationalism in the United States, how its people oscillate between embracing and rejecting it, and how historical events have shaped membership into (or exclusion from) American life.
- Call to action: In the final chapter, Lepore explains how thought leaders - practicing academics and community leaders at all levels - can reverse the rising tide of illiberal nationalism in the US. Although she cautions that shaping nationalist narratives like this can be dangerous, it is the considerably lesser of two evils should uninformed demagogues instead dominate the conversation.
Audience
- Historians, especially those who study US History
- Readers looking for a finer understanding of historical currents in nationalism in the US
Weaknesses
- The book’s brevity foregoes a proper orientation to nationalism as a whole. This may lead general readers (especially those uninformed in the issue’s nuances) to struggle with understanding how periodization and circumstance can impact its fluid definition.
- Doesn’t cover, even in passing, how the nature of the Cold War suppressed narratives in support of nationalism; the conflict’s binary nature precluded dynamism in favor of ostensibly monocultural political blocs.
Strengths
- Simultaneously celebrates and critiques the unique power of academia, most especially historians, to craft a distinct national identity while being subject to ever-shifting political zeitgeists.
- The language employed is straightforward and prose readable; obtuse and opaque academic writing won’t be found here. Combining this with the book’s brevity, Lepore effectively avoids the most challenging obstacles that prevent lay readers from accessing, much less understanding, the historiography surrounding US nationalism.
jrobles76's review against another edition
5.0
A long essay that makes the case for taking back nationalism from conservatives by bringing back liberal nationalism. Like any great book that deals with history it shows you how the same arguments keep coming up, and that if we don't study history it's not that we're doomed to repeat it, no, the bigger danger is someone will rewrite it and convince people , "it was always this way". Great argument and I'm going to try and make my arguments more nationally focused.
trekbicycles's review against another edition
5.0
Lepore is a master -- excellent rhythm and pacing for a sweeping history of our nation as it relates to liberalism, identity, and nationhood. I want more people to read this book!
pinecone_mushroom's review
2.0
Unclear what the point is
It's a lot of research strung together, but to what end? Maybe the intended audience is other historians. I don't object or disagree with most of it, but I don't see what the point of the book is.
It's a lot of research strung together, but to what end? Maybe the intended audience is other historians. I don't object or disagree with most of it, but I don't see what the point of the book is.
dunderdorian's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I'm always surprised when I genuienly enjoy reading nonfiction. Which is every time I pick one up. I should really just accept that I can enjoy things that are not purely based in escapism at this point.
This is a wonderful essay turned book that explores the concepts of nationalism and what it means to write a country's history, of which Jill Lepore (author of These Truths, a 900 page history of the US) is certainly qualified to address.
All in all, I think you just have to like a nonfiction book that makes you want to physically fight historical figures WWE style.
This is a wonderful essay turned book that explores the concepts of nationalism and what it means to write a country's history, of which Jill Lepore (author of These Truths, a 900 page history of the US) is certainly qualified to address.
All in all, I think you just have to like a nonfiction book that makes you want to physically fight historical figures WWE style.
gabesteller's review against another edition
4.0
Title is maybe misleading, the book is not really making a "case for the nation" but rather giving a breif history of right and left wing "case(s) for the nation" throughout American history. On the other hand that history is really interesting and Jill's a good writer. Recommend maybe getting it form the library tho unless ur into this sorta thing. i mean the covers kinda nice. maybe not 19 bucks nice. hm