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Time No Longer: Americans After the American Century
Why America’s founding myths no longer apply, and why we must reconsider the facts of our history
Americans cherish their national myths, some of which predate the country’s founding. But the time for illusions, nostalgia, and grand ambition abroad has gone by, Patrick Smith observes in this original book. Americans are now faced with a choice between a mythical idea of themselves, their nation, and their global “mission,” on the one hand, and on the other an idea of America that is rooted in historical consciousness. To cling to old myths will ensure America’s decline, Smith warns. He demonstrates with deep historical insight why a fundamentally new perspective and self-image are essential if the United States is to find its place in the twenty-first century. In four illuminating essays, Smith discusses America’s unusual (and dysfunctional) relation with history; the Spanish-American War and the roots of American imperial ambition; the Cold War years and the effects of fear and power on the American psyche; and the uneasy years from 9/11 to the present. Providing a new perspective on our nation’s current dilemmas, Smith also offers hope for change through an embrace of authentic history.
Americans cherish their national myths, some of which predate the country’s founding. But the time for illusions, nostalgia, and grand ambition abroad has gone by, Patrick Smith observes in this original book. Americans are now faced with a choice between a mythical idea of themselves, their nation, and their global “mission,” on the one hand, and on the other an idea of America that is rooted in historical consciousness. To cling to old myths will ensure America’s decline, Smith warns. He demonstrates with deep historical insight why a fundamentally new perspective and self-image are essential if the United States is to find its place in the twenty-first century. In four illuminating essays, Smith discusses America’s unusual (and dysfunctional) relation with history; the Spanish-American War and the roots of American imperial ambition; the Cold War years and the effects of fear and power on the American psyche; and the uneasy years from 9/11 to the present. Providing a new perspective on our nation’s current dilemmas, Smith also offers hope for change through an embrace of authentic history.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Patrick Smith
46 books12 followersFor Amazon author Patrick Smith, please see: Patrick Smith.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 30, 2015
I cannot think of a more timely book.
Wonderful intersection of political critique, anthropology, and history.
If we want to face forward into history and the 21st century we should take head of what Patrick Smith has so eloquently described as to our our country's self-held mythologies.
Wonderful intersection of political critique, anthropology, and history.
If we want to face forward into history and the 21st century we should take head of what Patrick Smith has so eloquently described as to our our country's self-held mythologies.
January 3, 2014
A very important and insightful topic, that could have used a more coherent and well-edited prose. I found some passages unintelligible. Eg. "Everything ... seemed validated for its aspect of reiteration."
I wish the ideas had been presented more succinctly and the whole book had a better flow.
I usually rate books that change my thinking as 5 stars. This was definitely that. If I were rating only the quality of the book (separate from its impact), I'd give it three.
If the notion that America's belief in its exceptionalism has to do with how the country views its role in history (or more particularly, its role outside of history) this will be interesting to you.
I wish the ideas had been presented more succinctly and the whole book had a better flow.
I usually rate books that change my thinking as 5 stars. This was definitely that. If I were rating only the quality of the book (separate from its impact), I'd give it three.
If the notion that America's belief in its exceptionalism has to do with how the country views its role in history (or more particularly, its role outside of history) this will be interesting to you.
June 8, 2015
This book was not at all what I expected. I have become a great fan of Patrick Smith's columns on Salon about the Ukraine crisis over the last year. He is incredibly insightful in his critiques of US foreign policy. This book is not that.
Instead this book is a much bigger, loftier and philosophical criticism of the US and its own self-image. I didn't give this book a higher rating because I was expecting something much different. That's my fault, I was in the wrong head space for this. This book has a lot of deep, important critiques of how Americans see themselves. It is worth examination.
Instead this book is a much bigger, loftier and philosophical criticism of the US and its own self-image. I didn't give this book a higher rating because I was expecting something much different. That's my fault, I was in the wrong head space for this. This book has a lot of deep, important critiques of how Americans see themselves. It is worth examination.
July 12, 2014
good book and good analysys. maybe sometimes the author repeats concepts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews