A House Divided

by Mark Gerzon

Outlines the opposing political viewpoints that have divided and polarized the American people and discusses the need to find common ground for moving beyond these viewpoints and forming a new patriotism

327 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 19, 1996

Reviews

[Richard Greene]

It's a book with lots of little parts I keep remembering, as if it's all today, but it's from back 25 or 30 years, before the internet let Americans tribalize into their own separate echo chambers, plus losing the educative local daily newspapers since the internet took much of the ad dollars, leaving "news deserts" where too many Americans now paranoidly hate the faraway centralized news as "Fake News" which wouldn't be an easy delusion against reporters and editors when they were your local neighbors. It's a book which has helped me respect people of social groupings far different from my own and I imagine it's helped America's divisions to not get fiercer than they already are.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book from the 90's that, at times, is a bit dated and but most of the time even more needed today than it was in the Clinton Era. Gerzon breaks up American society into 6 states dominated by a particular belief - corporates, do-gooders, media, the disenfranchised, government folk, and new agers - and explains where they're coming from and how they disagree with the others. Good first step, then he goes on to give examples of how people from one state have built bridges to others. These are the patriots - people who live in one state but realize it takes United States to solve problems in this country. Maybe some of my affection for this book comes from the fact that I like Mark as a person, the little I know him, and went into this book wanting to like it. But I do believe strongly in the need to work out of one's comfort zone and build bridges too.

[Jennifer Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since starting my new job no book have grabbed my focus. After President elect Obamba's acceptance speech however, I returned to this book I read a couple years ago. Regardless of one's affliations, it speaks to the heart of Lincoln references made it Obama's speech. The book describes six entrenched ideological American camps and a new patriotism to move the country forward. It may be a bit on the utopian side but still offers insight and some pragmatism.

[Julian Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for those trying to understand the belief systems in America, and their pros and cons. Although dated it can provide a sort of historical view into the political climate of the late 80s and 90s. It also helps understand the bridges made by people to come to a sensible agreement in the midst of discord. Read this if your looking to broaden your perspective on the subcultures that represent America.

[Christa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of information. textbook-like.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful analysis of the different political perspectives active in the contemporary U.S.