What's So Great About America

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Summary: Great book by a great author
Review: This is an amazing and very powerful book. D'Souza not only does a great job of explaining why America is so great, but he gives examples of how he is from India and how much America means to him. He makes the point that, even if you don't agree with our government, you should not hate America, rather respect it's hard working people. As a hard working American citizen I was happy to see a foreign-born writer like D'Souza write on the power and happiness Americans feel and why he feels it, too.

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Summary: Now more than ever
Review: Ever wonder how an immigrant sees America? Dinesh D'souza is such an immigrant and he shares the insight and wonder of his vision. He compares and contrasts the American and Western cultures with other world cultures. When you finish you will no longer wonder why so many risk life and limb in flimsy boats just to step upon our shores. Many of the hate filled anti-American "Americans" have criticized this book based on the propoganda and faulty logic they have swallowed whole. Mr. D'Souza takes on those attacks against this land, this people, this idea that is America in a thought provoking, logical manner. A great read that is well written, although sometimes a bit of a labor.

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Summary: What's So Great About America
Review: This, along with the movie Band of Brothers, should be required for graduation from hign school.

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Summary: A book everyone should consider
Review: I found this book by accident in my University library last fall while waiting for a study group to begin. I never went to that study group; instead I sat on the floor, in the stacks, and read this book cover to cover. I gained more from reading this book than I could EVER have gained at that study group.

This book helped me to survive the past six months when I didn't believe there was anyone left in the entire world who felt like I did. It is logical and well researched, drawing on the lessons of history that are often ignored by liberals. D'Souza is willing to speak bluntly regarding American society - he does not try to contend that it is perfect; indeed, he is more then willing to admit it is often far far from perfection.

I want everyone to read this book because it promotes the type of American I want to be. I am not blind to America's faults, as a country we have plenty of them, but neither am I blind to America's virtues. The United States is still an experiment with no equal - we are the world's longest lived government in one of the world's youngest countries. This cannot be only coincidence. So I challenge those who disagree to stop railing at our country's failings for a few moments to ponder the things that are truly 'great' about America. It is possible to acknowledge the good while working to improve the bad - remember that.

And read this book.

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Summary: An oasis of goodness in a desert of barbarism---
Review: America is under attack. Dinesh D'Souza provides an examination of the source of the conflict and the nature of the enemy. More importantly, he offers an insightful discussion of the moral basis of Western civilization, what makes America unique, and what makes life in America the best life the world offers. The understanding provided in this excellent book makes clear what is at stake in this conflict, and what America possesses that is worth fighting for.

D'Souza carefully makes the point that, contrary to statements by some politicians, the 9/11 attackers are NOT cowards or lunatics, but deeply religious and committed fundamentalist Muslims with the ideas, weapons, strategy, and ruthlessness to take on the United States. It is a mistake to think of them primarily as misguided suicide bombers---these are dedicated men prepared to give their lives for what they see as a higher cause. D'Souza quotes many sources to make the point that, for most Muslims, "jihad" refers to an armed struggle against infidels and apostates. The Koran itself urges Muslims to "slay the idolaters wherever you find them," and makes it a religious duty to convert EVERYONE to Islam, by persuasion or by force.

The Muslim dislike of America would be less formidable if we were united in resisting it. Unfortunately, there are factions in America that largely agree with the denunciations from abroad. From both Left and Right there are those who express strong hostility to the American idea and way of life. From the Right, for example, we hear that "the good country we grew up in has now been replaced by a cultural wasteland and a moral sewer not worth living in and not worth fighting for." (Buchanan) From the Left we hear that America is responsible for the "vast global inequalities in which terrorism is ultimately rooted." (Ehrenreich) A professor at the University of Massachusetts says that America is a symbol of terrorism, death, fear, destruction, and oppression, and that we deserved what we got on 9/11.

But the most serious internal criticism comes from the movement called "multiculturalism," a dominant force in American schools and colleges, and a point of view represented in a few of these reviews. It teaches our young people that Western civilization is characterized by oppression, racism, sexism, homophobia, exploitation, and even genocide. Multiculturalists seek to inculcate a sense of guilt and blame in white Americans so that they will accept responsibility for the suffering of minorities worldwide.

To answer these criticisms, D'Souza begins with a description of how he has personally experienced America as an immigrant from India. His comparison of his life in America with what it would have been in India is very moving and compelling.

In a chapter called "Two Cheers for Colonialism," he acknowledges the injustices and hardships of the colonial period, but goes on to explain the longer term, present day benefits that resulted all around the world. In general, important aspects of Western civilization were adopted in most countries and retained after they achieved independence, to their great benefit. The multicultural premise that all cultures are equal is shown to make little sense.

Another target of the multiculturalists is "Eurocentrism," the attitude of placing Europe at the historical center of things. D'Souza maintains that Western civilization has, in fact, dominated the world for five centuries, so that a Eurocentric approach to recent history is not inappropriate. He goes on to provide his insights into how and why this happened. In short, he attributes our success to science, democracy, and capitalism, and discusses each at length. Along the way, he demolishes the idea that we grew rich and powerful by "taking everybody else's stuff."

D'Souza sees the most serious criticism is not that America is oppressive, but that we have become an immoral society, a Muslim criticism that many Americans would share. He does not deny that this is a real problem, but asserts that these critics are missing something vitally important about America.

Until the 1950's there was a widely accepted moral framework that was aggressively challenged in the 60's and 70's. The idea of freedom was radicalized by a counter culture of antiwar activists, feminists, sexual revolutionaries, freedom riders, hippies, druggies, nudists, and vegetarians. Rousseau had articulated a philosophy that supported this radicalization, and it's consolidation in the 60's-70's brought about a profound moral shift in America. The widely accepted external moral framework was largely replaced by the concept of "authenticity"---being "true to oneself" and "doing your own thing," so that you can proudly proclaim, "I did it MY way." This moral outlook, together with the American concept of freedom, allows every American to very largely write the script for his own life. While this is a GREAT aspect of American rights to the "pursuit of happiness," there is no doubt that there are factions and individuals that carry this freedom to absurd extremes.

This book has greatly reinforced the conviction I have always felt about this country, expressed by D'Souza as follows:

"America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. It is the last, best hope for the world."

I strongly recommend this very uplifting book to EVERYONE. Whether you agree or not, these are very important points that every American should know and consider.

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Summary: horrible
Review: I've actually seen D'Souza speak, he assumes such ignorance that it is almost offending. This is exactly the line of reasoning that is aiding in the swelling of anti-American sentiment around the world, and that is causing the United States to act in an almost purely unilateral way. If this line of reasoning controls US policy in the future then we can only expect more attacks on US soil, not because of "evil do-ers", rather because the blatant refusual by the United States government to acknowledge differing people around the world. I would recommend this book if you want a good laugh, or are incredibly ignorant and want to believe that "we rock and are the best country ever!"

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Summary: A veritable must read for all Americans!
Review: Although under 200 pages, What's So Great About America's brevity is replete with immensely substantive depth as well as provocative and insightful arguments that left me not only impressed, but in awe as well. D'Souza writes with a fluidly lucid style and with such substance in his words that make his book flow all the more smoothly.

This was the most intellectually stimulating book that I have read in some while - and that's not due to a lack of reading, mind you. D'Souza delineates his irrefutable contention that America is the best country on the planet - carefully and intelligently. D'Souza makes for an entertaining, as well as highly educational read, with a virtual plethora of references including Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau, Voltaire, Adam Smith, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gandhi, Lincoln, et al. D'Souza chronicles his citizenship into the U.S. from India and why every American should be proud, not only to live here and call oneself an American, but moreover why we should all be willing to die for our great country, in order to preserve our enduring and unrivaled freedom and liberty, upon which our great country was founded. This is truly a great work - I eagerly await his next offering.

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Summary: An Excellent Reference Book
Review: A great book! ..... It gives the pro's and con's of such things as: Islam, colonialism, reparations for blacks, "Blame America First", etc. He also includes an immigrant's view of the USA. Very well written, concise arguments. ... He does a great job. This book is one that I will use a reference in the future.

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Summary: Amazing!!
Review: For anyone who has not read this book, but has seen Mr. D'Souza go toe to toe with any opposing viewpoint, this is a powerful collective of his perspectives on all major issues confronting America today. He is the recking ball of logic that easily demolishes all the half baked and the insane political correctness that threaten to weaken our nation's core foundation. America IS the greatest nation on Earth and if you truly love this country, here is all the proof you need.

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Summary: Most objective treatment to date!
Review: Someone who reads this book and still feels that Mr. D'Souza is just blindly singing the conservative mantra is either ignorant, or is lying about reading this book. The one thing this book is not is a sugar coated treatment of America. The author is brutally honest in acknowledging those criticisms with valid and cogent points. Mr. D'Souza also writes from the perspective of a foreigner who has lived in, and understands both the American and non-American points of view. When you read his book you will finally see America as its enemies see it. But, here the author truly shines as he then explores, debunks and counter balances those detractors using the logic of informed argument. It is quickly apparent that his is the great mind of a true scholar. It is also clear that the author knows American history, certainly better than many in current acedemia. He explores issues of racism, multi-culturalism, slavery, Islamic fundamentalism, colonialism, and the basic core principles upon which this country was founded.

Yet, at no point does this author show a dismisive attitude in this discussion. He sees the flaws inherent in uncontrolled freedom and unbridled capitalism. But his ultimate point is that these are necessary evils inherent with a free society. The Islamic world values their interpretation of "morality" (as they define it religiously) above freedom, and certainly above self determination. This leads to their hatred of the west, and their jealousy as their world has remained mired in the middle ages long after the West broke free.

I especially loved the way the author connects the history of the world and it's myriad of dynasties to the evolution of social and political change. One can see the ripple effects of time in a world setting as D'Souza interweaves these themes in a way I had never connected clearly until now. Sadly, this book makes it clear that perhaps America's greatest detractors are those within our own country. They perpetuate many of the anti-American myths which this author examines and answers. This book should be a required primer for any political science/law/history class on any college campus in America. Yet its ideas are expressed so clearly, using example, analogy and logic that it commands respect and agreement. Simply the best socio-political "thriller" I've ever read.