In Search of America

by Peter Jennings, Todd Brewster

eter Jennings and Todd Brewster conceived of this fascinating book long before the events of September 11th. But watching America respond to one of the worst attacks in its history deepened the meaning of their project. Now, more than ever, Americans need to treasure their way of life, and to reacquaint themselves with the founding ideas that united and sustained this country in its struggle for independence two hundred and twenty-five years ago. In Search of America explores the basic ideals that drive and define the American character. Exquisitely designed, lavishly illustrated with photographs, and peppered with fascinating sidebars, this superb blend of eyewitness reporting and history is a significant, timely achievement. In Search of America is a splendid and provocative journey, one that will assure each and every American that though the principles of our great nation may be shaken, molded, adapted, and assaulted, remarkably, they endure.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, American History, Photography, Biography

307 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings, CM was a Canadian-American journalist and news anchor. He was the sole anchor of ABC's World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005 of complications from lung cancer. A high-school dropout, he transformed himself into one of television's most prominent journalists.

Jennings started his career early, hosting a Canadian radio show at the age of nine. In 1965, ABC News tapped him to anchor its flagship evening news program. His inexperience marred his first short stint in the anchor chair, and Jennings became a foreign correspondent in 1968, honing his reporting skills in the Middle East.

He returned as one of World News Tonight's three anchors in 1978, and was promoted to the role of sole anchor in 1983. Jennings formed part of the "Big Three" news anchors who dominated American evening news in the 1980s and 1990s. Having always been fascinated with the United States, Jennings became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States in 2003. His death, which closely followed the retirements of Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather, marked the end of the "Big Three" era.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like America itself, this book is completely schizo. It spends an entire chapter on the virtues of capitalism, celebrating our use of the brightest minds to sell potato chips to all the cultures of the world (instead of their traditional lintels and tofu), then in another section lamenting our poor diets and the loss of local cuisine. It talks about the travesty of mandates to include "non-whites" in public school history books ("who is this Sanchez fellow? I haven't heard of him!"), but then concludes with a thoughtful essay on the complex issue of immigration. But it is undeniably a book about the masculine experience. Aside from a touching profile on an illegal worker supporting her family in Utah, the most prominent references to women are about beauty pageants and historical societies the extol the accomplishments of menfolk.

Also, the authors have some really disturbing ideas on what it means to be liberal. After 67 pages of extolling the all-American virtues of the conservative right, they offer up this description of someone on the left: "McIntyre was among the many young professionals who came to Washington in the early 1970s to work against the Vietnam War, for civil rights, for environmental protection, for consumer rights - in other words for a strong federal presence in the lives of all Americans." Right. So his diabolical objective is to promote Big Government just to piss off Republicans. And not to, you know, make sure our children have clean air to breath or have protections against unfair work environments or anything. But rather to shove Uncle Sam down your throats!! Seriously. I almost threw the book at the wall when I read that.

[Ann Aldrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1835, Alex de Tocqueville wrote his observations about his travels through the US. In 2002, more than 150 years later. Peter Jennings and Todd Brewster published "In Search of America," which examined many of the same issues as de Tocqueville's book -- topics like what taxation policies are most fair, race relations, and immigration policies. They found that attitudes and concerns remained remarkably consistent. Now, 18 years look later, we live in a totally different country.

The only weakness of this book is that the authors include so many side trips that it is hard for the reader to retain focus.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Jennings and Todd Brewster follow up on the success of their book, "The Century" (which I LOVED), with "In Search of America" which is supposed to highlight how all the differences in American society actually unite the nation. However, I believe the project comes up short. Too many of the anecdotes just point to differences that we have to tolerate instead. I think there were also a few ABC News TV specials on this project, including one about American Music.

As this was published in 2002, some of the material is a little outdated now. For example, in listing the most successful U.S. businesses, Apple is not even mentioned. If you only read one chapter, make sure it is Chapter 6: Homeland, which discusses the current issues surrounding immigration in the United States. By using the Salt Lake City metro area as a case study, Jennings and Brewster review immigration policies over the course of U.S. history and the challenges the federal government faces in regulating immigration after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. It is of particular interest if you are following the current administration's changes to immigration policy.

This book is difficult to read cover to cover and is better described as a coffee table book, meant to be read in bits and pieces.

[Trevor Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a decade after being published, this book still presents relevant insight into an extremely multi-faceted American culture. Tackling immigration, business and labor relations, popular entertainment, religion, government and representation, and a plethora of other issues throughout the history of the nation, this well written and politically moderate book attempts to illustrate what the American experience truly is. With many pictures and some truly fascinating (albeit tangential) side stories, the book still manages to flow in an effective way. Historically, this work is very sound and in touch with many academic perspectives and manages to embody a certain amount of pride in the U.S. without taking on a jingoistic vibe. From the Founding Fathers in the Northeast to the modern immigrants in the Southwest and everywhere in between, this work serves up interesting and well crafted insight into a shared and ongoing story. This is certainly worth a read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and complex look at the realities of America, historically and in contemporary times. Jennings wonderful writing style makes even difficult concepts easy to read and it avoids the melodrama and clunky language that Jennings uses in "The Century" to focus instead on a more down-to-earth view of American society.

[Sherrill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want a better understanding of the ideals and principles on which the United States was founded? Read this book.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at what it means to be an American.

[Pat Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Kind of a look at how and who we are in the age of terrorism.