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peytondani's review against another edition
5.0
this might be the most enlightening and interesting book i’ve ever read. i think everyone would benefit from reading this, i now look at everyday things within my country with new perspective.
dkadastra's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very interesting book about the history of fantastical (and here, fantastical is mostly referring to things people believe that the author thinks are false) thought in America, and how that fantastical thinking has affected people (mostly for the worse). As a practicing Christian, I was probably more surprised than I should have been about how much Andersen focused on the dominant (at least publicly dominant) sects of Christianity in America, although I can't necessarily disagree with his conclusions. The main complaints I had were the relative lack of comparison he made to how other countries either have or don't have the phenomena he described in America. He touched on it in one chapter, but I think it would have been useful to contextualize how abnormal America is in certain ways. Definitely worth a read.
filmcanman's review against another edition
4.0
Basically America is the way it is because there are Believers, Cynics, and Squishes, and that we mistake our feelings for what feels true. Oh yeah, and late capitalism. For instance, I never knew America was actually founded 10-15 years before Plymouth Rock --when gold hunters from England landed in Jamestown looking for gold but couldn't find any.
ttodd86's review against another edition
5.0
Like many Americans, the 2016 election left me with more questions than answers -- many focused on my own understanding of the country I have lived in my entire life. As a result, I embarked on a bit of a quest for America, reading biographies such as Chernow's "Washington: A Life," in hopes of some sign to place our current era in perspective against our history. While I read some good books, and numerous articles from a range of publications, it was Kurt Andersen's "Fantasyland ..." that gave me an understanding. No doubt, some of what he lays out about America's history will offend. This book makes you think about your own values and opinions. But what he makes clear is that where we are today -- some three years into a Trump administration -- may not have been predictable, but is certainly not outside of the parameters of the American experience. Our roots are built, and have grown, on fantasy and delusion of most every type -- ground that has been especially fertile for exploitation by modern technology, marketing and social media. This is a hugely important book and one that should be read by anyone concerned about where we are currently and where we may be headed.
lbaireid's review against another edition
3.0
gave up like half way thru. So much boring side notes and unnecessary comments. Could’ve been 200 pages shorter
taylorkinsey's review against another edition
2.0
Although I likely agree with this author, his writing was condescending and under-researched. At times he seemed to make assertions as if from no other basis than his own opinion, which is obviously very weak writing.
nina_the_reader's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0