Rating: 
Summary: Internal Revolutionary Warfare
Review: "Twilight of American Culture" is an intellectual smack-down of
technology, modern existence and the hollow-echoing pretense that
is "progressive civilization". Morris Berman doesn't just pull the trigger on all the traditional villains and culprits---(media/television/poor educational systems)---he takes jabs, uppercuts and bodyshots at the entire soulless iconography of our svengali attachment to the mechanisms of culture that advocate our rank and file subordination. But Berman's roundhouse punch is thrown not at society, progress or the continual subjugation of the masses, quite the contrary. The evil Frankenstein that's on the loose is indeed ourselves. We have let education, ideas and the brave new world fall off the top shelf. Simply put, we have succumbed to an ethos that doesn't aspire. And when we do, we don't aspire to very much. Certainly not in terms of aspirations that attempt to move or enlighten. When systems fail, when politics fall flat, when organizations stumble how do we recognize what matters. How do we differentiate the inconsequential from the important? As individuals, where do we find the point for lift-off? Take-off?
Do we ever experience that vital, necessary abstraction---"contact". Contact with ourselves. Others. Outwardly. Inwardly.
Spiritually. Environmentally. The idea that Berman puts forth is for the re-creation of a "monastic culture". Without the poetic wherewithall to envision this design, those naysayers will merely see this spiritual call-to-arms as a simple conversion. Let's all be monks. Let's all go have a sit-down on golden pond.
Therein my friends, lay the problem. How do we re-connect with the poetic? Is it too late to differentiate the literal from the artistic. Is sarcasm the only recourse we have when faced with the beautiful idea. The book is sprinkled with ideas, not centered around facts but situated around something much more: common sense. Obviously, we have taken "facts" through the looking glass so that they now resemble whatever our particular position or opposition requires. What is more deadly in contemporary society than facts. Common sense on the other hand, seems to never go out of style. Common sense needs to be applied with great relish at any age. Berman's common sense is spoken with candor, and matter-of-fact observation. This is who we are. This is where we're headed. I believe the book does what any great work is supposed to do, it penetrates. It penetrates and it lingers. "Spiritual enlightenment" has become much the flavor-of-the-month, in the same way that "fundamentalism" has become the catch-all for those who're too afraid to face the world head-on. However, this book aspires to so much more. It's intentions are to expose us to a long lost realm. Not take us on a fantasyfest to the God who's now playing at the cineplex. This journey has a richness that's not a gimmick. A richness that's best enjoyed if you throw off your all your old clothes and put on a brand new pair of glasses.
Rating:
Summary: Internal Revolutionary Warfare
Review: I found the book a marvel to hehold. Other authors attempt to walk through the corny maze of our cultural apocalypse with "spiritual enlightenment" serving as the contemplative flavor of the month. Berman preaches the low-down-dirty on how the war within and without got started. He tracks down the principal parties involved, navigates through the obscene nature of our meglomaniacal depravity, THEN, he sells wolf tickets regarding the outcome. He bogarts the entire landscape of our individual/social and popular (democratic, republican, liberal, conservative, and all stops in-between) belief systems, with existential nitty-gritty that tidal wave from revelation to revelation. The book is not just an amalgamation of recycled villains and culprits (TV, the Media, Educational Systems), he does touch upon these---BUT---he details our undeserved victim status with a critical looking glass. As it turns out, surprise, we're the active mechanism behind it all. We created Frankenstein, and we either exorcise the monster or the monster goes after our entire (mind) village. In short, the book examines our progress, technology, identities and why we've allowed education to fall off the top shelf. When he issues a call-to-arms for "the monastic life," I feel that's exactly the introverted reflection we need. However without regard for the poetic vision this is meant to convey(we have only sarcasm to interpret what is or is not a beautiful thought these days, yes?) this soul/stirring/saving articulation will land on very literal and flat ears. My friends, therein lay the problem. In the play "Equus," the character of Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist says that without passion our lives shrink. "Twilight" explains how this happens locally, globally and right before our eyes.
Rating:
Summary: A book of insight
Review: Berman writes with grace and clarity. He presents a persuasive overview of the principal problems affecting American culture. His book is prophetic of the bursting of America's bubble economy. While powerfully critical of American culture, he provides some hope for the long-term future. Thus his "pessimism" has a constructive side to it. A must read for those deeply concerned about America's future.
Rating:
Summary: An Immaculately Insightful Masterwork!
Review: Morris Berman's "The Twilight of American Culture" stands as a wonderfully well-thought out cultural study of America's current state of affairs, as it predicts prophetically future events and the slow road of capitalism and it's effect on this society and the rest of the world. Using various examples he illuminates the pages with astounding data showing the decline of America socially and economically while providing a historical roadmap to how we live in a society in which, "The cash value of things is the only value of things", and how the "mind-numbing global corporate consumerism" has produced a bunch of disturbing developments along class and educational
lines, among other misfires of these power games. He states that America cannot survive in it's present condition and calls on the reader to try to live a life free of self-promotion, and living only for profit or materials, and lead challenging lives that may leave a memory trace to future American generations at what is humanly important, and what lasts. I have read other sources backing up his economic data, and to see this cultural vacuum of emptyness masquerading as energy and liveliness all one has to do is take in the whole "Horizon" and you will see the truth of his tale; And with current events like the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, it further cements his already fascinating thesis. This is not at all a bash America fest, but of empiricism, brainwashing, social conditioning, and symbolism that ceases to stand for what a culture nourtured and protected as it's own values. This is an issue of freedom from barriers and chains that can hold our minds back, and free us from fundamentalism and encourage us to entertain ourselves and delight in this world full of so much wealth that cannot possibly be bought, let alone the whole universe of creation. Scott Alan Wheeler
Rating:
Summary: A frank look at at the future
Review: In the "Twilight of American Culture," author Morris Berman pulls no punches and misses only a beat or two.
Taking aim at what passes for "culture" in America these days, Berman weaves a compelling argument that the path of the "lowest-common-denominator," in entertainment, education and public discourse has finally caught up with us. We are, he argues, really in our own national "final days," and it has nothing to do with the Second Coming.
For those who have somehow managed to live without cable, those who see no value in pop culture, are disgusted by the quality of public debate these days and who wonder what ever happened to notions of "quality" in America, Berman's book is an eye-opener and something of a call to arms. We are, Berman notes, in the unfathomable position, of having decided that our best and brightest (the elite of any society) are no longer fit to lead...not in educaiton,certainly not in entertainment and, apparently, not in politics. Indeed, as he points out, elitist has become a dirty word as popular opinion scurries to find favor amongst the most foolish, uninformed and emotional of our fellow citizens. While Berman's prescription for all this might not be the most logical, it is food for thought amidst the book's banquet for thought.
The only flaw I found was that scant attention was paid to the impact the dumbing of America has had and is having upon our political system. This is a subject every thoughtful American should ponder; unfortunately, Berman largely leaves the subject out of an otherwise excellent book. I recommend this book most highly.
Rating:
Summary: Darkness and Stillness Provide Enlightment
Review: In a society full of planned activities, chaos, and endless entertainment there is little room for isolation and stillness. When individuals and societies become too one sided they lose truth and human experience.. The Twilight of American Culture is a highly accessible and challenging book. It reveals societies ills while offering valuable insight. The author Morris Berman suggests adopting a monastic lifestyle in order to find a deeper meaning and appreciation to life. A book well worth the read and that is not eaily forgotten. A book that allows us to adopt a more balanced way to living.
Rating:
Summary: Profound, Insightful and Indeed Prophetic!!!
Review: The Twilight of American Culture is a profound, insightful and indeed and prophetic examination into America's Corporate technocratic control, and "governmenet spin" and "media hype". Berman analysis of today's culture is provocative, and well balanced. His analysis provides insights into America's social, historical and political culture. Berman peels back and penatrates the mindless rhetoric and noise that we call democracy in America in the twenty-first century. From this text we should question the hegimonic forces that provides America and indeed the world with ubiquitous presense of technology, and the authoritative influence of academic institutitons and the bankrupting of our classical literary culture. I find this book, a juggernaut of knowledge! This book should become a primary text for those who pride themselves on their knowledge of social justice and the social sciences. Sincerely, and Ma'salaama, Imaad Mali
Rating: 
Summary: Some faulty reasoning, but Berman does a comprehensive job
Review: Berman makes statements that are not fact, then bases his arguments on them for the next ten pages. This is not a truly academic examination for that reason. But as long as you understand that, you will find Berman's book an interesting and inspiring look at how American society got here, and the importance of the individual in changing the future.
Rating:
Summary: left-wing government-supported educator blames businessmen
Review: This left-wing, government-supported educator and author shifts all blame for The Twilight of American Culture onto the shoulders of businessmen. Particularly global businessmen from the U.S. Quoting from Marx and rhetorically asking what would Lenin do, the author disavows any responsibility for our corrupt and decrepit education system caused by his lower-brow brethern. Yet, he is part of the educational establishment himself. Other than his overt bias, the author has gathered some interesting "oh, ain't it awful" trivia from Jay Leno and beyond regarding the decline of our country and Western Civilization. He's right of course. But his solution is for all the Atlantic Monthly readers to go off into the wilderness and pretend they are the Irish monks of the Middle Ages. Not a bad idea if they take the Washington Post readers with them. You will find the writing to be entertaining and engaging. If you're a liberal, you'll just love this book. If you're an educator you will, hopefully, feel disappointed in your results... but you will feel no blame, as its the businessmen who are starving the funding our schools (not true, of course). As the author points out, if you are part of 94 per cent of the population, you will not be reading this (or any) book. Only the conservatives and business people should feel enraged, as they are blamed for all the ills in the world. The author is very correct in pointing out that our educational abilities have been declining since 1960 or so. For example, our educators have reset the SAT scores to give test takers a higher score. He also points out that the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. Although this could be debatable by some, I tend to agree. But the author fails to address the massive immigration of uneducated people that has occured in the last 30 years, which has skewed many of the numbers. In fact, the author skims over a lot of other details that should be considered (unionization of education, increased governmental involvement in education, more people taking college exams, for example). When talking about tax cuts, he proposes that the overwhelming majority of them went to the rich people. What we know is that poor people don't pay income taxes. Statistics clearly show that the top 10 per cent of the income earners are paying most of the taxes. Thus, the tax cuts were going (somewhat) back to the people that paid them. He never mentions this. This kind of unbalanced reporting or logic shows throughout the book. I would have given this book a 1 or 2, but the author does weave a very interesting tale. He also provides lots of interesting statistics to back up the decline of Western Civilization part. John Dunbar
Rating:
Summary: Berman's Dynamit Twilight
Review: With respect to what's ailing American academe Morris Berman could scarcely have hit the nail more squarely on the head in Twilight of American Culture. The whole college culture has indeed undergone atrocious erosion. Anyone who thinks Professor Berman is exaggerating is either uninformed or kidding himself. This cogent, hard-hitting account is refreshing reading and a long overdue wake-up call.
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