Rating: 
Summary: A great piece of work that every American should read
Review: In startling contrast with his MSNBC show "Hardball," Chris Matthews has composed a moving reflection about America. Whether you are a "Hardball" fan or critic, you will find this book both insightful and moving. Matthews does not redefine America but instead reawakens us to the notions that make America such a grand nation.In AMERICAN, Matthews proposes "Ten Grand American Notions:" a self-made country, the constant rebel, the reluctant warrior, the common man, the lone hero, the underdog, pioneers, action, optimism and American exceptionalism. Each notion is accompanied by stories of American legends that personify it. The "characters" of the book are both fictional and real-life heroes. Whether speaking of Casablanca's Ricky or former President John F. Kennedy, Matthews captivates his audience with fascinating quips, motivating quotes and heartfelt memoirs. Perhaps the greatest aspect of this book is its timeliness. In a time of international turmoil and political conflict, AMERICAN reminds us of what our nation was founded on, what it has endured, what it is we are fighting to defend. Void of personal bias and political preferences, Matthews delivers an objective view of our country's history. He hails the good --- George Washington's perseverance during the Revolutionary War, the heroic firefighters of September 11 --- without forgetting to condemn the evils of corrupt politics and slavery. AMERICAN is written in a conversational style not often seen in history texts. Rather than continuous narrative, Matthews prefers to tell the story through short glimpses of the past. Appropriate pictures are interspersed among the pages, breaking the chapters into more readable portions. The only downfall of the book is that by the last few chapters the endless stories and quotes become tiresome and begin to lack life, which left me wishing for some of Matthews' trademark witticism. Overall, however, this is a great piece of work that every American should read. --- Reviewed by Melissa Brown
Rating: 
Summary: A Self Righteous Blowhard
Review: Just because Bill O'Reilly wrote a successful book doesn't mean you can do it too and make sense. I had to stop reading this half way through because I am so tired of hearing him plug his book on his show EACH day. Mr. Mathews thinks he is so in touch with "American" values and gets so carried away in his "theories" that he drifts off into a fantasy world of self righteous American pride and loses his reader. If I want to read about American history I'll read David McCullough or Gore Vidal. Maybe even Pat Buchanan, but certainly not Chris Mathews. He should stick to his "talking head" shtick.
Rating:
Summary: History for ...
Review: Matthews' book is for people who know absolutely NOTHING about American history. ... I consider this book a total waste of money!! He pulls books, movies, some extremely biased and simplified American "history", and certain American "heroes" from his own past and presents them as having been the KEY factors in forming what we consider to be the "American psyche". What amazed me is all that he left out -- the many historical events that truly shaped America. If Matthews has any in-depth knowledge of American history, he failed to reveal it here. Further, his simplification of the forming of the "American psyche" is laughable. Although 200+ pages in length, the book is an easy one-sitting read -- I read it all last night. Why? The pages are small in size and the print is large and widely spaced. It could have fit into a 50 page book of normal size and print. In short, don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: the spin STARTS here
Review: More boring drivel from the man with the lowest rated program on cable news (even lower than Donahue!). Do yourself a favor and read something worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: The audio version does not disappoint
Review: Okay, so what makes the audio version of a book better than the bound version? Why, the reader, of course! How about if the reader is the guy who actually wrote the book? Even better, right? Suppose the guy has a highly rated show on MSNBC? Hmmm...intriguing. If you're a Hardball fan, you've come to expect a certain delivery from its mildly quirky host, Chris Matthews. Here we have a gathering of Matthews' favorite moments in American history. They may not necessarily be your favorite moments, but who cares? It's just fun listening. Matthews succeeds in bringing historical perspective and American attitude to what he considers to be important moments in cinema, politics, and events, which have shaped our country and its development. He could have continued with the idea, and possibly have written ten times the volume of work, but he kept it short and sweet. Here's the beauty of the concept. Sequels, sequels, and more sequels. Matthews has left the idea wide open for endless opportunities to add to the collection. I for one will be there to purchase every audio CD version as it becomes available. When you listen to Matthews reading his own stuff, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the emotion he wants you to feel. Probably the same emotion intended during the writing process. He tried to keep it subdued, and during the first disk he appeared to consciously keep it under the speed limit. But with everything he does the intensity level creeps up on you, and he takes it up a notch. You really can't help but get into it. Why is Chris Matthews so successful, well respected, and yes feared by certain political and media figures? Because they don't take the time to research what his passions are before they appear on his show. My advice to guys like Kerry, Dean, and Gephardt is simple. Read or listen to Matthews' book before going on Hardball. If you're not good at thinking on your feet or taking the control away from the host (good luck), then you run the risk of being eaten alive like one Dennis Kucinich. Now the guy won't even appear on Matthews' series of shows from the Kennedy School of Government. Have a nice life, Dennis. If you're a guy like Joe Biden, however, who happens to be one of the guys that Matthews can't seem to touch, then you don't need the prep. Kerry should have read this book. I'm typing this before the Howard Dean show. Can't wait for the fireworks. They really need to let Chris moderate one of these debates. Wouldn't that be fun? One day MSNBC will smarten up and put Matthews up against O'Reilly. Anyway, you won't be disappointed with the book in any version unless you can't stand the guy. But if you're not a fan of his stuff then what are you doing even reading this review? I'm not trying to be a Chris Matthews suck up, or maybe I am, but I happen to like the guy. His idealistic albeit liberal approach reflects true patriotism. It is not only patriotic to question one's government, but it is every American's duty and responsibility.
Rating:
Summary: The audio version does not disappoint
Review: Okay, so what makes the audio version of a book better than the bound version? Why, the reader, of course! How about if the reader is the guy who actually wrote the book? Even better, right? Suppose the guy has a highly rated show on MSNBC? Hmmm...intriguing. If you're a Hardball fan, you've come to expect a certain delivery from its mildly quirky host, Chris Matthews. Here we have a gathering of Matthews' favorite moments in American history. They may not necessarily be your favorite moments, but who cares? It's just fun listening. Matthews succeeds in bringing historical perspective and American attitude to what he considers to be important moments in cinema, politics, and events, which have shaped our country and its development. He could have continued with the idea, and possibly have written ten times the volume of work, but he kept it short and sweet. Here's the beauty of the concept. Sequels, sequels, and more sequels. Matthews has left the idea wide open for endless opportunities to add to the collection. I for one will be there to purchase every audio CD version as it becomes available. When you listen to Matthews reading his own stuff, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the emotion he wants you to feel. Probably the same emotion intended during the writing process. He tried to keep it subdued, and during the first disk he appeared to consciously keep it under the speed limit. But with everything he does the intensity level creeps up on you, and he takes it up a notch. You really can't help but get into it. Why is Chris Matthews so successful, well respected, and yes feared by certain political and media figures? Because they don't take the time to research what his passions are before they appear on his show. My advice to guys like Kerry, Dean, and Gephardt is simple. Read or listen to Matthews' book before going on Hardball. If you're not good at thinking on your feet or taking the control away from the host (good luck), then you run the risk of being eaten alive like one Dennis Kucinich. Now the guy won't even appear on Matthews' series of shows from the Kennedy School of Government. Have a nice life, Dennis. If you're a guy like Joe Biden, however, who happens to be one of the guys that Matthews can't seem to touch, then you don't need the prep. Kerry should have read this book. I'm typing this before the Howard Dean show. Can't wait for the fireworks. They really need to let Chris moderate one of these debates. Wouldn't that be fun? One day MSNBC will smarten up and put Matthews up against O'Reilly. Anyway, you won't be disappointed with the book in any version unless you can't stand the guy. But if you're not a fan of his stuff then what are you doing even reading this review? I'm not trying to be a Chris Matthews suck up, or maybe I am, but I happen to like the guy. His idealistic albeit liberal approach reflects true patriotism. It is not only patriotic to question one's government, but it is every American's duty and responsibility.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing attempt for a valid project
Review: The original American experiment with democracy was a brave and intrepid one, with amazing results. The spirit of the pioneering Moms and Dads and later waves of immigrants and the pragmatic values they contributed have built a great nation over the past several hundred years. Cataloguing these values is an important project. Sadly this book disappoints. It is overly biased and provides an uncrtical and overly romanticised version of America that is insular, proud and superior - and that is not a very American or democratic message at all!! I do not recommend this book to people trying to get in touch with their individual American spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: This is a delightful read and has a lot of very interesting information about some well known American icons. The writing style is smooth and fluid and if you are a serious reader you can probably get through it in a day or two. You will, however, want to re-read many sections over and over again. Every time I read a chapter I would find myself running to tell my wife some interesting detail or factoid.
Rating:
Summary: Read The Way It Is For Yourself
Review: This is terrific writing (fast and smooth reading) by Chris Matthews, just like the terrific commentaries he does on television. He is realistic about conditions in America today and the way Americans are. Well worth the time and effort to read, especially if you have read Norman Thomas Remick's allegory of America titled "West Point: Character Leadership Education.." that tells us what it is supposed to mean to be an American, according to the Founders. Matthews has put forth another powerful analysis of contemporaneous life. I won't ruin it for you by telling you what he says.
Get Chris Matthews' book, "American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions" and read for yourself the way it is .
Rating:
Summary: This Book Is the Reason Why The World Hates Us...
Review: Unbeknownst to Chris Matthews, it is possible to love America and yet criticize the horrendous contradictions that America represents. The greatest democracy held blacks in chattel slavery. The country that is "slow to fight" sure didn't demonstrate that when fighting Mexicans in the Mexican American War or even Vietnam. And someone needs to tell Chris that Hollywood is MAKE BELIEVE, I resent this book because it is intellectually dishonest. It is jingoistic, xenophobic, and cloaks itself in empty patriotism. And I think it was Mark Twain that said it best: Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Mark Twain was right and this book proves it.
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