The Yin and Yang of American Values: Reimagining Our National Character

by Eun Y. Kim

During the twentieth century, as the United States has evolved into the world's lone superpower, America and Americans have unknowingly become role models for millions in other countries. Throughout the world people have imitated our political and economic models; many of them have also tried to emulate "American values". Though we Americans talk often and loudly about how we disagree with each other, outsiders are quick to note that we hold many values in common.The Yin and Yang of American Values is a critique of those values from an Asian perspective. Eun Kim, who was born and raised in Korea but has spent much of her adult life in the United States, is in a unique position to look at America and the values we hold dear. By examining the positive and negative aspects -- the yin and the yang -- of each value, she delivers acute insights into American behavior and how we are perceived by the rest of the world, particularly Asia. As we look ahead to a new century in which our interactions with other societies will be more important than ever, this is a book that all of us should have on our bookshelves.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998