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One Man's America: The Pleasures and Provocations of Our Singular Nation
In his provocative and compelling new book, America’s most widely read and most influential commentator casts his gimlet eye on our singular nation. Moving far beyond the strict confines of politics, George F. Will offers a fascinating look at the people, stories, and events–often unheralded–that make the American drama so endlessly entertaining and instructive.
With Will’s signature erudition and wry wit always on display, One Man’s America chronicles a spectacular, eclectic procession of figures who have shaped our cultural landscape–from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner to National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr., from Victorian poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, from cotton picker— turned—country singer Buck Owens to actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan.
Will crisscrosses the country to illuminate what it is that makes America distinctive. He visits the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor and ponders its enduring links to the present. He travels to Milwaukee to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of an iconic brand, Harley-Davidson. In Los Angeles he finds the inspiring future of education, while in New York he confronts the dispiriting didacticism of the avant-garde. He ventures to the Civil War battlefields of Virginia to explore what we risk when we efface our own history. And on the outskirts of Chicago he investigates one of the darkest chapters in American history, only to discover a shining example of resilience and grace–the best the country has to offer.
Will’s wide lens takes in much more as well–everything from the “most emblematic novel of the 1930s” (and no, it is not about the Joads) to the cult of ESPN to Brooks Brothers and Ben & Jerry’s. And of course, One Man’s America would not be complete without the author’s insights on the national pastime, baseball–the icons and the cheats, the hapless and the greats.
Finally, in a personal and reflective turn, Will writes movingly of his thirty-five-year-old son Jon, born with Down syndrome, and pays loving and poignant tribute to his mother, who died at the age of ninety-eight after a long struggle with dementia.
The essays in One Man’s America, even when critiquing American culture, reflect Will’s deep affection and regard for our nation. After all, he notes, when America falls short, it does so only as compared to “the uniquely high standards it has set for itself.” In the end, this brilliantly informative and entertaining book reminds us of the enduring value of “the simple virtues and decencies that can make communities flourish and that have made America great and exemplary.”
With Will’s signature erudition and wry wit always on display, One Man’s America chronicles a spectacular, eclectic procession of figures who have shaped our cultural landscape–from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner to National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr., from Victorian poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, from cotton picker— turned—country singer Buck Owens to actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan.
Will crisscrosses the country to illuminate what it is that makes America distinctive. He visits the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor and ponders its enduring links to the present. He travels to Milwaukee to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of an iconic brand, Harley-Davidson. In Los Angeles he finds the inspiring future of education, while in New York he confronts the dispiriting didacticism of the avant-garde. He ventures to the Civil War battlefields of Virginia to explore what we risk when we efface our own history. And on the outskirts of Chicago he investigates one of the darkest chapters in American history, only to discover a shining example of resilience and grace–the best the country has to offer.
Will’s wide lens takes in much more as well–everything from the “most emblematic novel of the 1930s” (and no, it is not about the Joads) to the cult of ESPN to Brooks Brothers and Ben & Jerry’s. And of course, One Man’s America would not be complete without the author’s insights on the national pastime, baseball–the icons and the cheats, the hapless and the greats.
Finally, in a personal and reflective turn, Will writes movingly of his thirty-five-year-old son Jon, born with Down syndrome, and pays loving and poignant tribute to his mother, who died at the age of ninety-eight after a long struggle with dementia.
The essays in One Man’s America, even when critiquing American culture, reflect Will’s deep affection and regard for our nation. After all, he notes, when America falls short, it does so only as compared to “the uniquely high standards it has set for itself.” In the end, this brilliantly informative and entertaining book reminds us of the enduring value of “the simple virtues and decencies that can make communities flourish and that have made America great and exemplary.”
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
29 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
George F. Will
71 books194 followersGeorge Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics. By the mid 1980s the Wall Street Journal reported he was "perhaps the most powerful journalist in America," in a league with Walter Lippmann (1899–1975).
Will served as an editor for National Review from 1972 to 1978. He joined the Washington Post Writers Group in 1974, writing a syndicated biweekly column, which became widely circulated among newspapers across the country and continues today. His column is syndicated to 450 newspapers. In 1976 he became a contributing editor for Newsweek, writing a biweekly backpage column until 2011.
Will won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for "distinguished commentary on a variety of topics" in 1977.[6] Often combining factual reporting with conservative commentary, Will's columns are known for their erudite vocabulary, allusions to political philosophers, and frequent references to baseball.
Will has also written two bestselling books on the game of baseball, three books on political philosophy, and has published eleven compilations of his columns for the Washington Post and Newsweek and of various book reviews and lectures.
Will was also a news analyst for ABC since the early 1980s and was a founding member on the panel of ABC's This Week with David Brinkley in 1981, now titled This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Will was also a regular panelist on television's Agronsky & Company from 1977 through 1984 and on NBC's Meet the Press in the mid-to-late 1970s. He left ABC to join Fox News in early October 2013.
Will served as an editor for National Review from 1972 to 1978. He joined the Washington Post Writers Group in 1974, writing a syndicated biweekly column, which became widely circulated among newspapers across the country and continues today. His column is syndicated to 450 newspapers. In 1976 he became a contributing editor for Newsweek, writing a biweekly backpage column until 2011.
Will won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for "distinguished commentary on a variety of topics" in 1977.[6] Often combining factual reporting with conservative commentary, Will's columns are known for their erudite vocabulary, allusions to political philosophers, and frequent references to baseball.
Will has also written two bestselling books on the game of baseball, three books on political philosophy, and has published eleven compilations of his columns for the Washington Post and Newsweek and of various book reviews and lectures.
Will was also a news analyst for ABC since the early 1980s and was a founding member on the panel of ABC's This Week with David Brinkley in 1981, now titled This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Will was also a regular panelist on television's Agronsky & Company from 1977 through 1984 and on NBC's Meet the Press in the mid-to-late 1970s. He left ABC to join Fox News in early October 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 12, 2013
The quality that defines George Will and comes across precisely in this collection of columns is TASTE. His intuitive sense of what matters, what speaks to living and vibrant culture beneath the dross of current events, is why a collection of his columns is just as valuable six years after they were published as when they were current in magazines and newspapers.
His discernment equips him particularly well to pass on quotes that matter and to recommend books that matter. By reading him, you have read a refined man's mind and library, although he would never let you get away with not reading for yourself. He is a conservative in the sense that he sifts through what won't matter in five years or five months and finds truth that will last, but his conservatism is not the sort that enshrines the status quo at any given moment. When Republicans are wrong, he says so and enlists thinking titans of the ages on his side. When the Christian Right is right, and he is not by temperament in step with this segment of the population, he is willing to say so but then to give underlying reasons besides the expedience of alliance.
He makes me want to be a better reader, a better writer, and a better citizen. We need more thinkers who inspire such aspirations.
His discernment equips him particularly well to pass on quotes that matter and to recommend books that matter. By reading him, you have read a refined man's mind and library, although he would never let you get away with not reading for yourself. He is a conservative in the sense that he sifts through what won't matter in five years or five months and finds truth that will last, but his conservatism is not the sort that enshrines the status quo at any given moment. When Republicans are wrong, he says so and enlists thinking titans of the ages on his side. When the Christian Right is right, and he is not by temperament in step with this segment of the population, he is willing to say so but then to give underlying reasons besides the expedience of alliance.
He makes me want to be a better reader, a better writer, and a better citizen. We need more thinkers who inspire such aspirations.
November 11, 2018
This is an informative collection of Will's newspaper and magazine columns published during the early to mid 2000's. He covers a range of topics that include history, politics, sports, science and government. I found the section devoted to baseball the most entertaining. Will is a student of the game and provides his readers with anecdotes, trivia and personal accounts not always found in the sports section of your local paper or MLB.com. Overall, to quote former late night talk show host Arsenio Hall, this book provides many articles " that make you want to say "Hmmmm..."".
December 9, 2019
A collection of Will's columns from the early 2000's - covering the landscape from politics to baseball (two of George Will's favorite topics) as well as many more. For those of us coming of age in the 1980's, Will's homespun style, wisdom, and traditional conservatism are a great reminder of what the conservative elements of those discussions used to sound like before the 1990's. A welcome reminder and a great, thoroughly enjoyable read.
December 9, 2019
Very entertaining and lots of leads (references) to other books I hope to read in the future.
April 20, 2024
Reading this in 2024, the dates of each essay need to be at the beginning rather than the end!
January 17, 2025
96/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
September 14, 2011
One of my enduring joys in life is reading George Will. I remember reading him in my dad's Newsweeks starting sometime around the age of 12. This is the latest collection of Will's columns and essays from the last decade. It is organized by subject matter, a chapter about science, one about politics, one entitled "Games" where he actually has something nice to say about football. That came as a shocker considering his apt description of the game as one that combines two of the worst things about American life, violence and committee meetings. But then again, George Will loves America, and it shows.
"Games" is followed by "The Game" which is, of course, baseball. George Will also loves baseball. He is perhaps at his best when he writes about baseball because his joy pours out onto the page. This is not to say he is not excellent when writing on any other subject, however. Even when I disagree with the man (which is very rare) it is difficult not to marvel at his good sense and learning. It seems as though he has never written a rash or ill-considered word in his career which is quite a feat for a man who writes six pieces a month usually consisting of commentary on politics.
The book ends with two serious chapters that follow "The Game," both philosophical covering columns on our place in the vast universe and life and death. An unfortunate editorial choice that produces a downer after the high point of the baseball columns. But this is just a quibble. As always, George Will has something more learned and wise to say than anyone else on any editorial page in the country.
"Games" is followed by "The Game" which is, of course, baseball. George Will also loves baseball. He is perhaps at his best when he writes about baseball because his joy pours out onto the page. This is not to say he is not excellent when writing on any other subject, however. Even when I disagree with the man (which is very rare) it is difficult not to marvel at his good sense and learning. It seems as though he has never written a rash or ill-considered word in his career which is quite a feat for a man who writes six pieces a month usually consisting of commentary on politics.
The book ends with two serious chapters that follow "The Game," both philosophical covering columns on our place in the vast universe and life and death. An unfortunate editorial choice that produces a downer after the high point of the baseball columns. But this is just a quibble. As always, George Will has something more learned and wise to say than anyone else on any editorial page in the country.
May 11, 2010
I bow to no one in my admiration of George Will. The man can write like nobody's business. He is one of very few public figures on the right who can calmly and articulately (and convincingly!) explain conservative positions in an effective way. With that said, I am somewhat saddened to only give the book three stars. If the rating was based solely upon the quality and variety of the writing, "One Man's America" would have received five stars and then some. But unfortunately, many of the columns just seemed dated (the book covers the years 2002-2007). Will often refers to America's seemingly invincible prosperity, and one column sings the praises of GM. (Perhaps I should have read it when it originally came out back in June 2008.) His columns about sports, American culture, and the national character generally hold up well, but unfortunately his political and economic commentaries are best consumed promptly before they start to go stale.
June 30, 2016
George Will's columns are solid commentary, but they are more than that. Will has a knack for perceiving historical patterns and philosophical ideas in current events and for finding interesting people and enlightening anecdotes. He also has a fun dry sense of humor. So, even if the events Will is commenting on are in the past, the columns are still worth reading. I was surprised to especially savor his columns on baseball. His love for the sport is contagious.
Philosophically, I would call Will a skeptic as expressed best in his commencement speech (contained in this book) which encourages intellectual humility rather than pat certitude. He is quick to puncture the egos of the over-confident and the hypocritical and to question people's assumptions. These days he seems like a lone voice crying in the wilderness.
Philosophically, I would call Will a skeptic as expressed best in his commencement speech (contained in this book) which encourages intellectual humility rather than pat certitude. He is quick to puncture the egos of the over-confident and the hypocritical and to question people's assumptions. These days he seems like a lone voice crying in the wilderness.
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June 4, 2016Normally, I'd feel a little ripped off having spent money to read a book full of regurgitated columns that I could read for free elsewhere (free? Washington Post? haha), except that I think I only paid 50 cents for this, so I won't be too upset. George Will is an incredibly gifted writer and commentator, and this collection is further proof of that. Unlike a certain Mann Coulter who, while trying to pimp her latest book, spent six months whining about illegal immigrants, Mr. Will writes about most anything and can be interesting (except for the 45 pages on baseball, that was not interesting). So, while he may be a YUUUUGE loser, he'll no doubt outlast the fad of Donald Trump and will still be more entertaining!
June 25, 2009
I enjoyed the book and would recommened it to anyone.
It's a bit of an anthology of Mr Will's opinion pieces and it helped me understand a bit more about history and politics.
Some may want to skip the last chapter dealing with baseball and why Mr Will enjoys the sport, but I've always wondered why someone would like to watch sports. I enjoy playing sports, but I don't like to be a spectator, so I learned a bit and developed some understanding.
It's a bit of an anthology of Mr Will's opinion pieces and it helped me understand a bit more about history and politics.
Some may want to skip the last chapter dealing with baseball and why Mr Will enjoys the sport, but I've always wondered why someone would like to watch sports. I enjoy playing sports, but I don't like to be a spectator, so I learned a bit and developed some understanding.
June 16, 2016
George Will has drifted rightwards in recent years but I very much doubt he'd recognize the GOP as currently constituted. I'd read his baseball books and loved his work there. This book's strengths lie in his essays on the passing of his mother, on his son (who works for the Washington Nationals, of course) and other assorted topics. I don't agree with most of his politics, but still a first-rate thinker and writer.
July 24, 2010
George Will is brilliant. He is informed about so many different subjects and a talented writer. With the exception of the section on baseball (which dragged a little for me, but which a fan of baseball would probably enjoy) I really felt smarter for reading this book. It inspired me to be more informed about the current events happening in our country.
December 6, 2008
George Will's work is worth reading purely for its elegant style. Should you happen to agree with his politics, this is an exercise in validation.
July 26, 2011
Well crafted and thoughtful morsels from a thinking man's conservative. Good stuff on science and religion in a democratic society, and, of course, America'a Pastime.
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July 26, 2011Some good columns, some great, some blah.
Read
June 12, 2015Good, but lots of sports
I love George Will s columns, and these do not disappoint, but I prefer his work on politics to that of baseball.
I love George Will s columns, and these do not disappoint, but I prefer his work on politics to that of baseball.
Read
January 5, 2009Looking forward to it...
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews