Dennis Welland (ed.) – The United States: A Companion to American Studies
History – 580 pages – my copy (paperback – Second edition – 1987) bought for 50p from Plymouth Library in October 2010
- 3 nods out of 5 -
Two hundred years of industrious, noteworthy and illustrious history packed under six hundred pages; this companion to American Studies promises on its first opening to appeal to the American-phile. From George Washington down to Ronald Reagan, this book has all on offer. Written and debated include the geography of the USA, a question upon Americanism, immigration into the continent, American wars, the world at large, politics and the media, including – to use a often quoted phrase – much, much more!
Each chapter introduces the crucial elements, walking us through a brief history, followed by some key debates. Although a couple of the writers lag in their enthusiasm – ‘Constitution and Government’ notably – the constant change in writer with each new chapter brings with it fresh and needed change.
It is to America’s understanding of its position as a world leader that creates the most fundamental questions: a people that pride themselves on small government who fund the largest organisations on the entire planet. One paradox of many.
As to be expected – with the book’s editor working as Professor of American Literature for two decades – there is ample space upon fiction, poetry, drama and the arts, and a tad redundant chapter upon American realism.
But despite this over emphasis, the book successfully overviews each of the major topics in American history. But an overview is all the book must remain, an introduction, a companion – but not the real meet that is history or a cultural study. And this edition, printed in 1987, equates more to an old friend; worthy of reminisce, but no longer in the phone book. The world has changed tremendously since 1987; in the twenty first century new companions are needed.
History – 580 pages – my copy (paperback – Second edition – 1987) bought for 50p from Plymouth Library in October 2010
- 3 nods out of 5 -
Two hundred years of industrious, noteworthy and illustrious history packed under six hundred pages; this companion to American Studies promises on its first opening to appeal to the American-phile. From George Washington down to Ronald Reagan, this book has all on offer. Written and debated include the geography of the USA, a question upon Americanism, immigration into the continent, American wars, the world at large, politics and the media, including – to use a often quoted phrase – much, much more!
Each chapter introduces the crucial elements, walking us through a brief history, followed by some key debates. Although a couple of the writers lag in their enthusiasm – ‘Constitution and Government’ notably – the constant change in writer with each new chapter brings with it fresh and needed change.
It is to America’s understanding of its position as a world leader that creates the most fundamental questions: a people that pride themselves on small government who fund the largest organisations on the entire planet. One paradox of many.
As to be expected – with the book’s editor working as Professor of American Literature for two decades – there is ample space upon fiction, poetry, drama and the arts, and a tad redundant chapter upon American realism.
But despite this over emphasis, the book successfully overviews each of the major topics in American history. But an overview is all the book must remain, an introduction, a companion – but not the real meet that is history or a cultural study. And this edition, printed in 1987, equates more to an old friend; worthy of reminisce, but no longer in the phone book. The world has changed tremendously since 1987; in the twenty first century new companions are needed.
