The American Future: A History

enlarge

Author: Simon Schama
Publisher: The Bodley Head Ltd
Category: Book

List Price: ~~£20.00~~
Buy New: £11.72
You Save: £8.28 (41%)

New (15) Used (10) Collectible (2) from £7.36

Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

2 reviews
Sales Rank: 1260

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.6

ISBN: 1847920004
EAN: 9781847920003
ASIN: 1847920004

Publication Date: October 2, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. Shipped from UK Mainland. Delivery is usually 2 - 3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail.

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - The American Future: A History
•	Paperback - The American Future LP: A History
•	Paperback - The American Future: A History
•	Audio CD - America, Empire of Liberty: Liberty and Slavery v. 1
•	Audio CD - The American Future: A History
•	Hardcover - The American Future: A History

Similar Items:

•	The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
•	Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
•	Stephen Fry in America
•	Masters and Commanders: The Military Geniuses Who Led the West to Victory in World War II: How Roosevelt, Churchill, Marshall and Alanbrooke Won the War in the West
•	The White Tiger

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars

Simplistic December 28, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

A simplistic review of some facets of American history---no real analysis ---

I've read about half the book and I am very disappointed, I may put it down--

He quotes that the naming of a town "Columbus" was done after someone had finished reading Washington Irvings book "Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus"

Too cute--I fwink I may vomit

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent read, American history with the red meat on.. October 22, 2008
55 out of 58 found this review helpful

This book is for those of you who like history as a sweep of events and with interlocking sections that you have to piece together to get your overall picture. Although this makes reference to the current election I think its only because I think the author sees the two candidates as potentially the Hamilton and Jefferson characters of this age - one quite happy to use American military strength and the other very sey against it. And its this split in the US approach that the four sections of the book address. The four sections cover war, religion , what is an american, and the belief you can have it all if you just try hard enough and while I don;t think you get a full final view I think the observation at the end that the role of government is about making people happy and not to destroy life is hard to argue with.
Apart from the violence of the Civil War which had some horrific parts what these sections bring to vivid life in the internal violence in US history , the programs against the Cherokee, the violence and hatred against the black population as they battled for civil rights, the mis tratment of Chinese and Mexicans and they were killed with impunity and with legal sanction makes for some grim reading. The section on religion makes it very clear why religion plays such a big part in US politics and you can see why as it was and till is a vital way to express a sense of community. The best part for me was the section on multiculturalism where its clear that you can retain a sense of your roots in the US AND still be an American with a fierce committment to the country
It was with a sense of diappointment that I finished this book simply bacause I had not had enough of the American story which is spite of the things done still seems essentially optimistic - and so if Obama wants to use the phase 'Yes we can' then this book will help explain why his audience responds to it

Tool Shops

The American Future: A History General Books 1847920004 UK Tools - Tools UK Net

The American Future: A History