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Reviews
American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.0
I found this a fascinating exploration of the idea that North America is deeply influenced by its original "nations" -- the way its different regions were settled by Europeans and how those cultures spread and interacted. It helped me to understand current problems and tensions in the US, and also my own perspective, which is thoroughly Yankee. Knowing the shortcomings of that point of view and how different it is from others is helpful in understanding and possibly in communicating with them. I wish this were known more widely, but there is little interest for most people in understanding and communicating with other nations. Most only want to keep on struggling for dominance.
justin92's review against another edition
4.0
BLUF: Really good breakdown of the cultures that shape the nation, until the last few chapters discussing the current modern Red/Blue coalitions where the author's biases start taking center stage of the discussion. Still recommended to readers interested in learning about why the reader never feels represented on the national stage.
catbrigand's review
2.0
I was so excited to finally read this. I love the premise, though Woodard admits that the idea is not new. The further on the book went, the less I liked the execution. Woodard became less and less objective. He clearly thinks very highly of the north from which he hails, and there’s a lot that New England did at its founding that is to be admired and celebrated, like its relatively inclusive form of government and compulsory education. But his lack of objectivity comes at the expense of describing other parts of the country; he particularly comes to thumb his nose at southerners. The scope of the book is rather limited, which he admits to an extent. The first part of the book, which discusses the founding of the different nations, is about the only section worth reading.
spiderfly's review against another edition
4.25
It was not quite as even-handed as I would have liked, but close. This book really helped me understand the roots of the vast differences in values within the US, and I definitely recommend it.
rickimiller's review against another edition
4.0
This was an intriguing listen. It’s a way to understand the culture of North America that I’ve never heard before. While the author’s bias was more evident towards the end, it was very insightful. It gave me a lot of think about and more understanding of the political groups and regions that differ from my beliefs.
charitytinnin's review
slow-paced
2.75
The first third of this book is superb— his thesis holds up and uses contemporary sources from inside and outside each nation to describe them. This section was enlightening, well construction, and moved at a good pace.
But in the last two-thirds, there are nations he barely covers; his thesis overlooks some obvious populations (Indigenous Nations, African Americans) and important events (the Great Migration, for example).
I also feel that he lost his objectivity by the end— his sources were less likely to be well-rounded and his own opinions obvious.
But in the last two-thirds, there are nations he barely covers; his thesis overlooks some obvious populations (Indigenous Nations, African Americans) and important events (the Great Migration, for example).
I also feel that he lost his objectivity by the end— his sources were less likely to be well-rounded and his own opinions obvious.
jessmcarey's review against another edition
5.0
Dense with history, really enjoyed this perspective and re-telling of American history. Appreciated the author's take on how we got here today, understanding politics in the U.S. today, and understanding regions as their own smaller "nations" with different histories and ideologies.