Rating: Summary: View from a Common Sense Conservative Review: Finally, a conservative who has employed common sense with a rather well defined understanding of world history. D'Souza's presentation is thought provoking, and although I disagree with some of what he proposes, his concepts are worth considering. He is the first conservative thinker in a long while who presents his ideas absent the superior tone of say a Limbaugh or a Noonan. He is far above bashing those who may disagree with him; another way to describe him, he presents as a gentleman, with whom one could have a spirited discussion, yet walk away not angry.On the negative side, he slipped in a line or two concerning the fact that he just might agree with America's critics that "our women are loose." [what ever that means.] Moreover, he finds it odd as well as upsetting that our citizens of 70 years or more continue to have a zest for all aspects of life. [fails to explain this.] Additionally, presenting himself as a person of color seems a bit disengeneous. I work with many individuals from India, and not one of these persons considers him/herself to be a person of color in the sense D'Souza wants his readers to see him, i.e., I am a person of color just like African Americans..etc. Aside from these minor faults, the book is well written and a very good read.
Rating: Summary: Two cheers for D'Souza! Review: My favorite chapter is titled "Two Cheers for America," which explains why America is a great country, but could be improved (which is why it doesn't deserve "three cheers"). D'Souza's views are clearly and logically argued. This is not a sentimental rant about why America is great, but a little nudge to remind Americans what our country once stood for and that we can stand for liberty and freedom and democracy if we really want to. Americans shouldn't bow thier head in shame for being American, but should look the world in the eye and say "We aren't perfect, but then again, what government is?" Anyone with basic knowledge of American history and the Constitution can follow it-- you don't have to be an expert on world politics (but you might be more interested in world politics by the end). The discussion on Rousseau was interesting-- while I've never read any of Rousseau's work, it was clearly written and easy to follow. I didn't originally intend to write a review on this book, but after reading the many negative reviews, it was clear that many hadn't even read the book. While this book is clearly pro-American, it doesn't ignore the fact that the U.S. has made mistakes in the past and present, and will likely make them in the future.
Rating: Summary: A powerful, eloquent affirmation of right-wing arrogance Review: I recently completed Mr. D'Souza's latest vomiting of self-satisfied conservative thought, and it left me feeling utterly at peace with my beliefs. There is nothing I can add in the way of endorsement, because I think there's just a little too much of this "we are great" stuff floating around. As usual, the overwhelming collection of "five star" reviews on this page reveal far more about the petty ignorance and resentments of their writers than about anything relevant to Mr. D'Souza's work. They're always good for a laugh.
Rating: Summary: Damage Control Review: I have no doubt that D'Souza loves America. After all, the American market has given him the opportunity to become such a celebrity. However, one wonders whether this hastily written homage to America's greatness was anything more than D'Souza's strategy to repair his image after his controversial comments on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect immediately after 9/11. Recall that it was D'Souza who characterized the 9/11 terrorists as courageous for flying their hyjacked jetliners into the World Trade Center. When Maher picked up on that point and contrasted the courage of the terrorists with the cowardice of politicians who bomb targets from thousands of miles away, it was he, Maher, who was trounced in the media as a traitor. But it was D'Souza who made the first ill-considered comment and for some strange reason his name was never associated with the flack. What to do? Crank out a pamphlet-sized book about America's absolute greatness and hit the talk show circuit to promote himself as the uber-patriot.
Rating: Summary: Freedom Rings Review: Rousseau and de Tocqueville said it before: America is great. And on a more fictional level, so did Alger: opportunity exists for those who chase it. Sandburg said it occasionally in his poems: the city is built of girders that are the men who built them. So why another book on America? Why "What's So Great About America"? The reason is clear. Most people haven't read Rousseau, de Tocqueville, Alger or Sandburg. Moreover, Dinesh D'Souza brings a command of English that draws in the reader who might not know history or current events. He is funny... more witty than humorous... and points fingers at both conservatives and liberals. The patriotic bandwagon has hit America, and my bet is that mostly Reagan patriots will buy this book. D'Souza seems to lean that way himself. More liberal leaning people will shake their heads at the book, thinking it fluff, and to some degree, rightly so. It is far from as academic as Rousseau: it is a mix between watching a Fourth of July rally and an ACLU dialogue about freedoms. D'Souza's Indian heritage gives him the kind of credibility my grandmother had as she appreciated America (she was from eastern Europe). He has seen the rest of the world, and India was once his home. He has tasted freedom in ways those of us who grew here do not know. I fully recommend "What's So Great About America" by Dinesh D'Souza. Anthony Trendl
Rating: Summary: Don't disregard this review because of its rating Review: It makes me sad when people who are otherwise good, are so ignorant of the things around them. The blandest american car, the newest fast food outlet, the mainstream movie scene...as the culture of a new beat surges beneath the surface. I can see why so many of you embrace the idea of a perfect america, but it is a one-sided view. America has become a place where the good have been declared won, and the rest cast away. This is a place that can say, Utopia has arrived! If you can't pay the entrance fee, get out! And then refused to look at its own flaws. I am begging you, for your sake and the sake of america, if you want a true and thought provoking epiphany of american philosiphy, read America, by Jean Baudrillard. Vives sans temps morts! WarAgainstSilence
Rating: Summary: Read it - you'll be glad you did Review: This is a terrific book that reminds the reader of everything that is great about America. It comes at a great time, too. America is under attack from terrorists and is criticized by many different groups with various agenda. D'Souza reminds us why America has so much that is worth fighting for and why her critics are so wrong. The author isn't at all blind to the shortcomings of our country - he acknowledges up front that it will be harder to protect his daughter from immoral influences in America than it would be if he were raising her in his native India. Yet he is willing to take that risk because he believes that America offers his daughter greater opportunities. The book is a bit wordy, especially in the middle, and I believe that his characterization of Judge Robert Bork is not entirely fair. However, he is right to point out that Bork, William Bennett, Pat Buchanan, and others have painted a much more pessimistic picture of America than he has done. This doesn't invalidate their perspectives, of course, but D'Souza's optimism is refreshing and much more appealing. The greatest freedom that America offers is the freedom to be the best that you can be. Dinesh D'Souza clearly has taken advantage of this freedom. He has done all Americans a great service by writing this book. Read it - you'll be glad you did.
Rating: Summary: A Great Mind Review: D'Souza is a great mind. Who would have thought it possible to eviscerate the anti-american gallery so completely and plainly in 195 pages. D'Souza, a first generation East Indian Indian immigrant, shows us the value of the West and what it means to be an American. This man is a national treasure.
Rating: Summary: A powerful, eloquent antidote to liberal guilt Review: I recently completed Mr. D'Souza's latest evisceration of contemptible PC thought, and it left me feeling utterly at peace with my beliefs. There is nothing I can add in the way of endorsement that has not already been said here. As usual, the smattering of "one star" reviews on this page reveal far more about the petty ignorance and resentments of their writers than about anything relevant to Mr. D'Souza's work. They're always good for a laugh.
Rating: Summary: There's none so blind ... Review: If American life and American culture were as spotlessly wonderful as this author would have us believe, why on earth does anyone inside or outside of America dislike our country and "The American Way" so much? Are they ALL blind to our perfection - or are WE *sometimes* blind to our faults? I'd say there was plenty to be happy about and proud of in America, and if we fall short in some areas then we can and will learn from our mistakes. What we really DON'T need is to hide behind this kind of vacuous excuse-making on our behalf.
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