Sissy Nation: How America Became a Culture of Wimps & Stoopits

by John Strausbaugh

The American Sissy cocoons in a safe, virtual world - Fundadome. He plays with online friendsters and he plays with himself, anything to abate the pall of anxiety hanging over his head about everything from terrorists to spinach to air and sunshine. He votes for sissy leaders who bully the world - sissies in tough-guy drag. He's so afraid of death and illness, he doesn't really live - he overmedicates himself and overprotects his kids. And he's so busy preoccupied with the lives of the rich and famous that he forgets all about having a fulfilled life of his own.
Strausbaugh leaves no sacred cow untipped. He is as nonpartisan as he straight shooting taking equal aim at Democrats and Republicans, gays and straights, PETA fanatics, and the Christian right. But all is not lost. Sissy Nation offers "modest proposals" for getting back the gumption that made this culture great.

Genres: Nonfiction

170 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2008

Reviews

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It's short (but it could and should have been shorter). I liked this book, which my sister gave me to read. Her copy must have come from a used book monger because it is marked up significantly (which I don't mind-I actually enjoy reading a well-read book that others have marked and commented in).

The author Mr. Strausbaugh has written a rant. There is no other way to describe it. As a Canadian, who has lived abroad including in the U.S., none of his critique is new. I expect anyone who was born anywhere outside of the U.S. (but not the children of military service personnel in other countries! why? see below) will find this book boring because it is so obvious. But according to Strausbaugh, we're all Sissies (or wannabe Sissies) as well thanks to the almighty influence of Sissy Nation (of course, we couldn't have done it ourselves after all).

Military personnel: Military installations outside of Sissy Nation look and act just like Sissy Nation because (as Strausbaugh says), "We're flummoxed when someone Beyond Fundadome [i.e. Sissy Nation] doesn't talk like us, think like us, act like us, eat like us, pray like us, want what we want, want what we have, want what we offer."

pg. 25 "Listen, if you accept what any figures of authority say--[edited list out]--with the same faith that fundamentalist Christians and Muslims have for the Bible and the Koran, you are, at the very least, naive, and most likely a mental and emotional infant." I would add you are dangerous, to yourself and your fellow citizens.
"The American Sissy is highly suspicious of people who don't take things as matters of blind faith, people who think too much, have doubts, ask too many questions. [bolding mine]" Can I get an Amen?!

I liked this essay/rant because Strausbaugh is and equal opportunity critic, but I didn't "really" like it because it is so obvious. I suspect that Strausbaugh has gotten a lot of hate mail and grief from this not so little rant but I haven't looked yet.

[East Bay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strausbaugh’s Sissy Nation is one of those books that speaks to a lot of the ideas I have about life in the United States. There’s a quote on the back from John Leguizamo, “Very Funny. It hit me where it hurts. I feel unmanly now.” Sissy Nation is funny, but I don’t necessarily think humor is Strausbaugh’s intent. I hear the same outrage in his writing that I feel looking around at what can very appropriately be called all the sissies and sissified behavior in this country. It’s the same outrage I feel at my own actions (or lack thereof), especially considering that, in many cases, I know better. Strausbaugh cloaks his outrage in a humorous style, but what he’s writing about isn’t really funny.

Like Paul Fussell’s BAD Or The Dumbing Of America, Sissy Nation may seem to poke fun at “Americans” but, in fact, the interest of this book isn’t to ridicule. Oh, there may be a little ridiculing here and there, but it seems to be in the service of pushing some self-examination and self-realization. Most folks, regardless of their sex, genetic background, political affiliation, sexual orientation, “lifestyle” choice, etc. are going to be bothered by one or more things in this book. This is clearly intentional and is actually the strength of Sissy Nation.

This book seems extraordinarily timely, given the state of the Union at the moment. Sissy Nation is real, it’s all around us and any day now, it’ll be too late.

Good on you, Strausbaugh. Nice work.

[Tsneds · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sissy Nation" refers to the end of empire, specifically to the end of the American Empire. Strausbaugh is quick to point out that much of the western world isn't far behind in the unraveling of the personal integrity, individualism and gumption that made America great. He stresses that the "ideals" of America are sound, and that they have served as an excellent model upon which to build a nation, but that the average American's dependence upon virtual reality, consumer goods and branding, escape, and just wanting to be entertained is leading to the decay of the nation and the emergence of a new breed--the American Sissy. According to Strausbaugh, we choose "sissy leaders" who, at best, tell us whatever we want to hear in order to get elected, and at worst, lie to us and manipulate us in accordance with our fears. And our fears, fueled by the popular press, are many.

"Sissy Nation" is filled with humor. But the book is deeper than it appears on first reading. Read it twice. There's a rather remarkable brain at work behind the "out there" rant. You can find out more reading Strausbaugh's online blog at www.sissynation.us.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, sometimes I like a good political rant. This book appealed to the same part of my brain that likes South Park. You laugh, but you're not always comfortable about doing it. There was one part of the book that was memorable for me. As someone who works with college students (and their parents) I really appreciated the author's position that "helicopter parent" doesn't really cover it. He opted for calling them "Curling parents" (after the sport). (he credits in the book that this is not his original concept.) Curling parent. Now THAT is the most accurate descriptor I have come across to date!

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the idea to read this from the C-SPAN2 book channel airing a 45-minute slot of the author promoting the book and why he wrote it. A bit low brow but it has some good points.

C-SPAN2 Link with Video

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WIHTOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. RECCOMEND THIS TO EVEDYONE THAT WILL LISTEN TO ME. AMERICA ERALLY IS BECOMING A NATION OF SISSIES. SHAKE THE "GROUP THINK", PICK UP YOUR SKIRT AND STOPWHINING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

[Ronald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick and easy read (167 pages), although the messages Strausbaugh delivers are not quick or easy. It's a nice little wake-up call if you're not into heavier, more philosophical works on the decline of civilization.