What's So Great About America

Rating:
Summary: Can't argue with fact and logic, read with an open mind
Review: For all those who are grappling with our role in the oppresson of minorities and 3rd world nations. For those convinced that reperations are the way to bring about social justice... for those who want to support our country but question the moral foundation for our war and foriegn policies- this book will provide new ideas, factual and logical debate all tied together with new justification for patriotism and hope.

Rating:
Summary: Honest look at America's faults and strengths by a wise man.
Review: After watching an interview of Mr. D'Souza a few days ago. I was so impressed with his answer, presentation and his intellectual prowess that I put aside my copy of John Adams and my edition of the "Qur'an", a translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali and picked up his book. I started the Ali translation because as a fan of Sun Tzu I wanted to know the enemy who wanted to make war on my country and me as well.

After watching this interview and the unique outlook that Mr. D'Souza brought to the issue of America and its foreign and domestic enemies I picked up "What's so great about America." I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the time I finished. That I could finish it in only two days meant that it was gripping and an easy and interesting read.

What an amazing, rational and reasoned view of America from a past, present and futuristic position. Mr. D'Souza holds a mirror up to all of us from both an outside and an inside perspective and makes us see some unpleasant truths, yet shows us the silver lining as well.

Unfortunately most Americans cannot even imagine what we here in this great country look like to the rest of the world. Unless of coarse one has traveled, it is difficult to judge the bounty, in comparison to so many we all, I say again WE ALL, black, red, yellow, white and other, have here in America. Being a military career retiree I have been blessed with that unique opportunity to see the world and develop a healthy respect, admiration and love of country which Mr. D'Souza speaks of. I think that graduation from high school should include a weeklong survival trip to a third world country to open the eyes of our young people.

Mr. D'Souza has a decidedly unique perspective on so many issues that face us in the global arena today. It is sad that our TV talk shows host and Newspaper editors have lost this talent for true unbiased reporting and his simple honesty on so many issues. It is just impossible for the Chris Matthews and Bill O'Reilly's of the world to address these issues as candidly and honestly as Mr. D'Souza seems to do.

Of course the most refreshing part of this book was that Mr. D'souza was not flaunting any political or particular ideology like most of us do. He was truly being fair and balanced, applauding and condemning both sides equally I think.

This impressive "tell it like it was and is" book at first made me a little squeamish, nearly putting it down and going back to my previous reads after the first 10 pages or so. That was because I probably had the same reaction most people do after reading the first chapter. I started to think hey, this guy is just knocking America and is nothing more than an advertising agent for Osama Bin Laden or some other Middle Eastern anti-American wacko and hate monger. Who does he think he is!

But I stuck it out and read a little further and then realized with humble reevaluation that he was right in all that he was saying. It was my own ego and personal pride that had flared up in premature indignation at being called so many bad things, which were simply his relaying of what was in the minds of some of those on the outside looking in.

I realized after a little more self-critical evaluation as a member of a larger society, and after putting my temper on hold. That what he was saying was true down to the last point. We are a representation of those sinful, deviant, hedonistic and disgusting things, in some parts of our culture, like Hollywood and the film Industries, the Porn Industries and various other institutions, which other cultures see when they evaluate America. Even if we as individuals, families and/or communities do not participate in those degrading acts or industries, it is a part of the American culture and that is what the Islamic and Muslim societies find disgusting and intolerable. In a sense they hate today's excessive liberalism and unethical progressiveness, which seems to have no more of a moral compass than a rabbit or a bunch of Gardner snakes.

But what Mr. D'Souza finally begins to make clear is that this is the tendency others have to only see the tarnished brass and pewter fixtures of our society and by doing so ignore the silver and gold that ornaments the American people and many of our institutions as well.

There are still plenty of Tocqueville worthy individuals and communities left our there to respect and 9-11 also proved that there is a grand and good spirit in America that rest just beneath the surface in great and vast numbers, just like the Fremen' in the movie "DUNE". We are better in so many areas than most think and we should not be ashamed of it.

If I had been advising Mr. D'Souza however, I would have recommended his last statement be a saying from John Steuart Mill, which would have fit our post 9-11 character beautifully.

Slightly modified for the 21st century, it goes like this, "War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings, which thinks that nothing is worth fighting for is much worse. A citizen who has nothing for which he/she is willing to fight, nothing they care about more than their personal safety, are miserable creatures who has no chance of being free...unless made and kept so by the exertions of better beings than themselves."

It would have fit his premise perfectly that America is worth supporting, defending, cherishing and being proud of. Great job Mr. D'Souza and I promise not to say, "I am also writing a book" if I ever get the honor to meet you...

Rating:
Summary: Another winner from the author of Illiberal Education
Review: How nice to see books written that stick up for this great nation, while on America's college campuses, students are taught to hate America by the hate-America Left. I was leaving my campus library with another book by this author one day, and I saw that at my campus, someone had put up a sign that a student had made which read "Hate is not a family value." How on Earth can one find a link between "family" values and the word "hate" anyways? Apparently, the campus Left equates the two and puts outrageous signs like that up to slander those Americans not on the hate-America Left. This wonderful book in support of America is a must-read, as is another book about the illiberal college campus entitled "The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America's Campuses" by Alan Charles Kors and Harvey A. Silverglate. I have always wondered why those who hate America so much don't just go somewhere else. If it is so oppressive to be here, then perhaps the whiners should just be on their way out? The rest of us can help them pack...swiftly...so more immigrants like D'Souza can come on over to take their places.

Rating:
Summary: Questions for one-star pseudo-intellectuals
Review: For anyone rating this book one-star, please answer the following:

1) If America is such a terrible place and you are ashamed to be an American, which country would you rather be in?

2) Which country, other than America, can someone who starts poor become rich? Why are most of the richest Americans self-made (many are immigrants, even).

3) Why do immigrants from all over the world want to come here of their own free will? Why has an immigrant written this book on behalf of a nation he was not in until age 20?

4) Do you enjoy using things invented in America, such as TVs, cars, computers, email, soft drinks, telephones, etc?

Any one-star reviewer who henceforth posts without answering these questions is pretty much revealing that they are not interested in right or wrong, just their own hate-mongering, and their reviews will carry no value. Only cowards hide from the truth.

D'Souza never says America is perfect, he points out all the flaws. He just says that America has fewer flaws and is more benevolent a society than any other. I don't see how any sane person can dispute his logic. It seems that liberals are judging America by a utopian standard, rather than judging America against the rest of the world. That, of course, is irrational.

Even the most liberal senators, like Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy, are still, after all, patriots. I think even they would be shocked by the ignorant hate-mongering exhibited here by uneducated liberals.

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: D'Souza methodically describes what America stands for and what separates it from other nations. He carefully contrasts America and other nations (mainly his native India) on key principles. His writing style is very clear and easy to read. He sticks to the facts, with a lot of documentation to back his claims up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would have liked to see it go a little longer, though. Did the reviewers who gave this one-star read the same book that I did? There is no racism, elitism, etc. in this book.

Rating:
Summary: America is Great NO matter what u say...just face it people.
Review: I'm not rich, I'm just a hard-working blue collar employee...but let me tell u something...so don't think I'm praising AMerica b/c i got everything...those of u who u who don't think this book is great..at least as a tribute to America...should either get out of the country and experience what its like in other countries, then u will appreciate America...y does America always have to take the burden of other countries...we're even trying to change the pledge of allegiance..start counting ur blessings for being here or if ur elsewhere..u can only dream and wish...good luck to u all...and once in a while ask not what ur country can do for u but what u can do for ur country...( quoted by Kennedy )...No country is perfect...yes true...but america is damn close...at least it gives u opportunities...what other country does that...yea take a resume and a degree to the bombay streets of India or Afghanistan...sure there are plenty of opportunities there...so don't ever put down America...

Rating:
Summary: A look in the mirror
Review: Since Mr. D'Souza has been labeled with a "conservative" identifier, most will dismiss this book without bothering to look past the cover.
Mr. D'Souza argues with a clear logic his opinions, opinions that can be as grating to the conservative ear as they doubtless are to the liberal. Luckily for my ears, I fall into neither camp.
The basic premise of his book is answering the question "If America is such a terribly oppressive place (as her critics argue) why do millions around the globe leave their countries (now as well as in the past) to come here?"
His arguments take apart the doctrines of multi-culturalism and moral equivalency- the pillars of liberal ideology. THAT is the left wing's primary objection to this book.
His arguments are very convincing, and will be difficult to answer. I eagerly await the left's response, which so far has been little beyond the traditional cries of "ism" crimes.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing Logic
Review: This book was such an easy read as it dealt with what are normally heated subjects with objective and unemotional logic. D'Souza excellently debunks the the leftist and multiculturist way of thinking by showing that their hypotheses and conclusions are rooted in erroneous beliefs and emotional dribble.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, Say Can't You See ! - Critiquing Criticisms
Review: In a well documented challenge to the critics of America, D'Souza provides a cogent argument for what has, and does, make America so great, while not minimizing her faults. Perhaps it is fitting that a relatively recent immigrant to this Country should, so very poignantly, dismantle the criticisms leveled at America by foreign and domestic critics, who hold her up to an ideal that no other country is, nor could withstand such comparison.

From decadence to sexism, to slavery, racism and reparations, D'Souza confronts realism vs. idealism. in cogently arguing how western civilization, capitalism, and technology have benefited this Country, as well as how western civilization (i.e., colonialism) has benefited his native India.

An eloquent reminder of what too many conveniently ignore!

Rating:
Summary: A Little Modesty Please People!
Review: You know, I would probably have to agree with the idea that America is the greatest nation in the world today (maybe ever?). But this does not mean that we do not have many, many problems to work through as a country. It frustrates me when people like D'Souza use what's so great about America as ammunition against anyone who dares be critical of what's not so great about America. If one only focuses on the good, and shuns those who bring up the bad, then the bad will never get fixed and America can never become even better! A little modesty will help us solve what problems we have rather than just ignoring them as people like D'Souza seem to do.