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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Generally enjoyed the premise and thought there was some real value to the book, although some aspects of it were much weaker than others. 3.5/5
This is another book that goes on my list of books I think every adult should read. People who engage in magical thinking, both on the left as well as the right, will likely find some parts offensive, but that doesn't change the fact that I think this book says things that everyone needs to hear and think about. I listened to the Audible Audio version. The author narrates and does a fantastic job. I wish I could be Kurt Andersen's neighbor. I would invite him and his wife over for dinner or to just hang out and chat on a regular basis.
Went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars on this one. It is rare that I think a book I liked could have been a long article or blog post. This comes very close to that. Along with that comes the fact that this book probably would have been better if it was 150-200 pages shorter or longer. Trimming the fat and focusing on the most important examples would have led to a stronger book that would have been better researched and documented in those examples. Conversely there were some weak arguments that could have been strengthened with more exploration. Many examples in the back half come across as cherry-picking, under-researched or driven by confirmation bias. For example, there are many countries in Europe where anti-vaccine sentiment is worse than the US. France had a 2011 measles outbreak with 15,000 cases. Ultimately my opinion of the book dropped over time and I'm ready to move on. It is not bad, but upon further reflection I can't see myself ever recommending this book to anyone.
Great idea, poorly executed.
How did America fall so deeply under the sway of religions, conspiracy theories and Trump? Interesting and extremely important topic. Normally I'd strongly recommend any book waking people up to how damaging those are.
I hoped the book would build a rock solid case step by step. Instead, it feels more like a conspiracy theorist's murder board, throwing random thoughts out and claiming they're somehow connected. Blame the downfall of democracy on D&D, SCA, adult coloring books, elders getting their hair dyed, and men no longer wearing suits to work? Really?
The book would be improved by removing most of it (why is the author so obsessed with boob jobs?) and focusing on a narrower, stronger case.
Fortunately, I didn't notice any outright misinformation, but the author could have done more quality control. He casually says 8 states prohibit atheists from holding public office. Partially true. It's outlawed in the constitutions of 7-8 states (Pennsylvania technically just says believers can't be disqualified from holding office), but the Supreme Court ruled those clauses to be unenforceable.
Outrage and unfounded claims make this book sound like it could have been written by a conservative. This book could have, should have been so much better.
How did America fall so deeply under the sway of religions, conspiracy theories and Trump? Interesting and extremely important topic. Normally I'd strongly recommend any book waking people up to how damaging those are.
I hoped the book would build a rock solid case step by step. Instead, it feels more like a conspiracy theorist's murder board, throwing random thoughts out and claiming they're somehow connected. Blame the downfall of democracy on D&D, SCA, adult coloring books, elders getting their hair dyed, and men no longer wearing suits to work? Really?
The book would be improved by removing most of it (why is the author so obsessed with boob jobs?) and focusing on a narrower, stronger case.
Fortunately, I didn't notice any outright misinformation, but the author could have done more quality control. He casually says 8 states prohibit atheists from holding public office. Partially true. It's outlawed in the constitutions of 7-8 states (Pennsylvania technically just says believers can't be disqualified from holding office), but the Supreme Court ruled those clauses to be unenforceable.
Outrage and unfounded claims make this book sound like it could have been written by a conservative. This book could have, should have been so much better.
informative
medium-paced
So I really liked the voice in this text (and the author himself narrates the audiobook which makes it even more enjoyable), and, if I’m being honest, it was the voice that kept me going when I was ready to abandon it. The narrative he’s spinning—that America’s puritan roots inevitably led to the 2016 Election Disaster (well, that’s his point writ large)—is one I agree with, and I appreciated the path from then to now. However, at times, I wanted more matter and less art; in other words, a little speedier movement towards a point and a few less tongue-in-cheek footnotes. I’m glad I read it, but since I teach classes in media literacy, it didn’t much surprise me.
informative
reflective
sad
One of the best explanations of why America is the way it is. A 500 year dance with fantasy indeed. From the first belief that they’d find gold (and didn’t) to more modern attitudes that we should be able to not only hold opinions, but credit them as facts....Anderson finally explains America. It’s not pretty but, my god is it accurate.
informative
reflective
medium-paced