What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great American Delusion: The Myths Deceiving America and Putting the West at Risk
Something is going badly wrong in America. But what is really happening, why, and what does it mean? Could the US itself now be the greatest threat to the future of the West?
In this fascinating account of America today, Patrick Davies, former British Deputy Ambassador to the US, sets out to understand how America, blinded by myths of its own exceptionalism, has failed to tackle serious political, social and economic problems which are exacerbating divisions in its society, poisoning its politics and ultimately fuelling America’s decline.
The Great American Delusion asks whether, with global power shifting eastwards, the US can save itself and, with it, the Western world before it’s too late.
Patrick Davies worked alongside the Obama and Trump White Houses for five years. He has more than 30 years’ experience of America, its people and its politics.
In this fascinating account of America today, Patrick Davies, former British Deputy Ambassador to the US, sets out to understand how America, blinded by myths of its own exceptionalism, has failed to tackle serious political, social and economic problems which are exacerbating divisions in its society, poisoning its politics and ultimately fuelling America’s decline.
The Great American Delusion asks whether, with global power shifting eastwards, the US can save itself and, with it, the Western world before it’s too late.
Patrick Davies worked alongside the Obama and Trump White Houses for five years. He has more than 30 years’ experience of America, its people and its politics.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2020
39 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 14, 2022
This is a thought provoking book written by a former British diplomat who spent many years in the US both as a student and later as an employee at the British Embassy in Washington. It is a series of reflections on the myths that most Americans believe about their society, myths that have been around for at least 200 years and which he believes no longer exist in reality. As an example, he devotes a chapter to the myth of hard work and upward mobility pointing out that America is becoming more divided into haves and have nots, the latter group falling ever further behind as they lack decent education opportunities, health care and housing. He also points to the continuing segregation of African Americans, not by law but by economic forces that prevents them from attending the best white schools. At the end of the book, he offers a series of possible solutions to these problems. It is important to note that his criticisms are offered by someone who wants America to be powerful in order to combat the hostile forces in the world today. One needs only to look at the challenges posed by China and Russia to see what he means.
February 26, 2024
Necessary
Much needed analysis of an existential threat. Too much myth not enough truth and introspection. Plain for anyone to see if you open your eyes. Nothing lasts forever. We either make the needed changes or we’ll be consigned to the dustbins of history.
Much needed analysis of an existential threat. Too much myth not enough truth and introspection. Plain for anyone to see if you open your eyes. Nothing lasts forever. We either make the needed changes or we’ll be consigned to the dustbins of history.
February 11, 2023
Clearly and engagingly written.
As someone about to work for a British Consulate in the US, my favourite parts of the book where the snapshots into the everyday life of a diplomat and the everyday challenges of running UK consulates in the US. I wish there had been a few more of these.
In terms of the main arguments, being someone with a similar background to the author (UK civil service) and someone who listens to a fair amount of centre-left coverage of the US, a lot of the arguments felt familiar. It was however the first time I’d seen them set out so comprehensively all in one place.
The author clearly has a strong view point, with a distinctly European flavour, which he is not shy about sharing. I’d be interested in American’s perspectives on this book.
As someone about to work for a British Consulate in the US, my favourite parts of the book where the snapshots into the everyday life of a diplomat and the everyday challenges of running UK consulates in the US. I wish there had been a few more of these.
In terms of the main arguments, being someone with a similar background to the author (UK civil service) and someone who listens to a fair amount of centre-left coverage of the US, a lot of the arguments felt familiar. It was however the first time I’d seen them set out so comprehensively all in one place.
The author clearly has a strong view point, with a distinctly European flavour, which he is not shy about sharing. I’d be interested in American’s perspectives on this book.
February 16, 2024
Exaggeration
Well written book with lots of concerns about the well being of America's future. On the other hand plenty of exaggeration regarding America's future.
Unless we become socially oriented society we will experience decline as economic power. We must eliminate corporate lobbing and financial bribery to our representatives.
We must utilized common sense diplomacy instead of forcing other nation to do it our way with military treats.
We are years away from becoming socially well balanced nation. We are badly in need of human rights policies and limiting corporate grid by replacing with labor political power.
The book is written to benefit upper class society.
Well written book with lots of concerns about the well being of America's future. On the other hand plenty of exaggeration regarding America's future.
Unless we become socially oriented society we will experience decline as economic power. We must eliminate corporate lobbing and financial bribery to our representatives.
We must utilized common sense diplomacy instead of forcing other nation to do it our way with military treats.
We are years away from becoming socially well balanced nation. We are badly in need of human rights policies and limiting corporate grid by replacing with labor political power.
The book is written to benefit upper class society.
January 3, 2022
Insightful and entertaining. A refreshingly candid canter across different facets of American life. It draws on both scientific data and powerful anecdotes to paint a compelling picture of the US that we currently live with, without pretending that any other country has all the answers. Definite thumbs up!
February 11, 2024
Valid Warnings buried in repetition
Davies names many faults and risks in American society and government, but fails to present solutions with any chance of enactment. Worse, he blunts the effectiveness of his message with endless repetitions. The book is richly footnoted, but lacks an index.
Davies names many faults and risks in American society and government, but fails to present solutions with any chance of enactment. Worse, he blunts the effectiveness of his message with endless repetitions. The book is richly footnoted, but lacks an index.
July 27, 2021
Absolute garbage. A book written with political and social bias without any real adherence to reality to facts by someone who does not understand what it means to be an American. Extremely opinionated, not worth the read.
August 4, 2022
Get truth
This read opens your eyes to help you see what is really happening in your country. I would recommend every one read .
This read opens your eyes to help you see what is really happening in your country. I would recommend every one read .
August 27, 2023
A brilliant introductory book for anyone interested in US politics and I would fully recommend that teachers and students studying the topic read it. It has detailed information about the key issues that characterise American politics, including gun ownership, the role of money in politics, racial relations, and a broken healthcare system. The approach Davies takes in describing these issues as 'myths' is a very useful way of examining these issues and in explaining why they have persisted for so long.
I would say that there is a slight liberal bias (especially by American standards) which may come from the fact that the author's perspective is that of a British person whose country has systems deemed by many Americans as socialist. Davies does acknowledge this when he says that many Americans would label his solutions as socialist, such as a universal healthcare system. I would be interested to see how the American right would respond.
The only thing I would say is that in outlining the causes of these issues, Davies focuses primarily on the partisanship of parties and federal political institutions and the deep divisions that have grown in American society. This is, of course, correct and a significant factor, however he does not say enough about the role of states in these issues and in his solutions. There have been some movements in the US at state-level that have aimed to bring about some of these reforms, e.g. the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Similarly, states have been a strong factor in allowing many of these issues to persist. To gain a more comprehensive view of US politics, this reference to the federal nature of the political system is crucial.
Aside from that, this is a very good book and I would fully recommend it!
I would say that there is a slight liberal bias (especially by American standards) which may come from the fact that the author's perspective is that of a British person whose country has systems deemed by many Americans as socialist. Davies does acknowledge this when he says that many Americans would label his solutions as socialist, such as a universal healthcare system. I would be interested to see how the American right would respond.
The only thing I would say is that in outlining the causes of these issues, Davies focuses primarily on the partisanship of parties and federal political institutions and the deep divisions that have grown in American society. This is, of course, correct and a significant factor, however he does not say enough about the role of states in these issues and in his solutions. There have been some movements in the US at state-level that have aimed to bring about some of these reforms, e.g. the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Similarly, states have been a strong factor in allowing many of these issues to persist. To gain a more comprehensive view of US politics, this reference to the federal nature of the political system is crucial.
Aside from that, this is a very good book and I would fully recommend it!
June 29, 2023
“O, wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
An' foolish notion.”
As Bobby Burns put it. Nobody likes it when someone from outside tries to tell you where you're going wrong. But it is a savvy and well articulated stroll through the certainties that we hold about the state of our union, and how far the myths and aspirations have diverged from the reality. And it's dangerous. People talk about American exceptionalism as if it is some kind of "get out of jail free" card. Yes, our government may be bitterly divided. Yes, they can't even accomplish the basic things like setting a budget, maintaining our bridges and passing an immigration reform bill that is probably forty years overdue. But we're AMERICA, so it will be alright on the night. It's always worked for us in the past. The lesson that I learn from history is that empires rise, and empires fall, and when they are ripe to fall is when they not only believe their own bullshit, but they kinda like the smell!
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
An' foolish notion.”
As Bobby Burns put it. Nobody likes it when someone from outside tries to tell you where you're going wrong. But it is a savvy and well articulated stroll through the certainties that we hold about the state of our union, and how far the myths and aspirations have diverged from the reality. And it's dangerous. People talk about American exceptionalism as if it is some kind of "get out of jail free" card. Yes, our government may be bitterly divided. Yes, they can't even accomplish the basic things like setting a budget, maintaining our bridges and passing an immigration reform bill that is probably forty years overdue. But we're AMERICA, so it will be alright on the night. It's always worked for us in the past. The lesson that I learn from history is that empires rise, and empires fall, and when they are ripe to fall is when they not only believe their own bullshit, but they kinda like the smell!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews