A review by theatreanddogs
How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr

5.0

This book was stunningly illuminating. There are so many aspects of life in the United States--not just historically, but how we live today--that I had no idea were tied up with the U.S.'s history as a colonizing power and its continued status as a nation that holds many areas on what is effectively still an imperial basis. (I knew that Puerto Rico and other territories didn't have representation in Congress, but I had no idea just how many rights those U.S. citizens are deprived of in this supposed democracy.) It doesn't just go into the story of our imperial possessions (past and present) themselves, but also into the effects of U.S. imperialism that we experience on the mainland. Everything from why stop signs are red octagons to the invention of nylon stockings is tied up with the U.S.'s history as an imperial power. Not only is the content of the book fascinating, but it's also a super smooth read, especially for a history written by a scholar. The writing is clear, engaging, informal, and fun. Highly recommended.