by Dinesh D'Souza
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Product Description
With What's So Great About America, Dinesh D'Souza is not asking a question, but making a statement. The former White House policy analyst and bestselling author argues that in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, American ideals and patriotism should not be things we shy away from. Instead he offers the grounds for a solid, well-considered pride in the Western pillars of "science, democracy and capitalism," while deconstructing arguments from both the political Left and political Right. As an "outsider" from India who has had amazing success in the United States, D'Souza defends not an idealized America, but America as it really is, and measures America not against an utopian ideal, but against the rest of the world in a provocative, challenging, and personal book.
Amazon.com Review
Look again at the title of this book: it's not a question, but a statement. "America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence," writes Dinesh D'Souza. "American life as it is lived today [is] the best life that our world has to offer." There are those who hate it, or at least essential elements of it, from radical Islamists to the likes of Patrick Buchanan (on the right) and Jesse Jackson (on the left). But they are wrong to hate it, and D'Souza grapples with all of them in this engaging and compelling volume. D'Souza is the author of provocative books such as Illiberal Education and The End of Racism, plus the appreciative Ronald Reagan. This may be his most personal book, with parts written in the first person as the India-born D'Souza describes his encounter with the United States, first as an immigrant and now as a citizen. Foreign authors such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Gunnar Myrdal have offered some of the most penetrating assessments of America, and D'Souza clearly shares in this noble tradition. "I am constantly surprised by how much I hear racism talked about and how little I actually see it," he writes. What's So Great About America is also vintage D'Souza, full of feisty arguments and sharp humor. He is perhaps better at explaining why America's critics are wrong than explaining why America's celebrants are right, but he's very good at both. Written in the months following the September 11 terrorist strikes, this book should find a large and receptive audience. --John Miller
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Outsider's Perspective, 2009-01-01
Interesting - an outsider's (D'Souza is from India) perspective on what makes America unique. The author is good cultural observer, and has a decent philosophic background.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Perpetually relevant, 2009-01-01
In the aftermath of 9/11 a lot of ink was spilt on trying to understand why America was attacked and how do America's enemies perceive this nation. Amidst all of the soul-searching a new theme had gradually emerged especially on the intellectual left: America was attacked because America is an awful country that has always been doing a lot of bad domestically and abroad. In words of one infamous preacher, America's chickens had come home to roost. And yet America to this day attracts more voluntary immigration than any other nation on Earth. One of those immigrants is Dinesh D'Souza, the author of this book. In that capacity he is one of the best people around to tell America what is so great about her, and to remind her many detractors that its greatest achievements are the true reasons why so many hate her. D'Souza is not an uncritical admirer of America, but someone who has truly lived an American dream and achieved a remarkable level of success in his professional life. Like many other immigrants from traditional cultures, he is also apprehensive about bringing up his kids in a country where there are no absolute and immutable social norms. But just like many others, he is also appreciative of living in a country that enables one to pursue one's dreams and not be restrained by the circumstances of one's birth. These are the enduring messages of the American way of life. So even though the book was written as a response to particular historical events and circumstances, it remains fresh and relevant for as long as the idea of American dream is fresh and relevant. And if history is any guide, this will remain true for many more years.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
The big picture..., 2008-12-10
D'souza widens the scope and shows us the the big picture of human civilization. It's a reminder that we must not forget our past, in order to create a better future. He shows us how America is great, and that it has historically been a positive force in the world. Great writer, great book.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Always something to learn, 2008-03-30
Very interesting to get another person's point of view; especially someone who is very intelligent. What I remember most (I read it a few months ago) was that the 'American poor' is many steps up from typical Third World living. Puts things in perspective a bit.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Aught to be required reading, 2008-02-22
This book is a unique opportunity for a person to view America thru
the eyes of an intelligent perceptive man that was born in India but lived
in America for the last 35 years while working for the White House as a
policy adviser and currently has a high position in a Washington think tank.
He was raised in a culture alongside Muslims and Hindus and has a unique perspective of America's role in a turbulent dogmatic world.
This permits you to see how and why European and Islamic cultures see America as they really do and permits you to understand more deeply the
meaning of today's international headlines.
I sent it to a German friend for his take on the book.
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