A review by fallona
American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good by Colin Woodard

4.0

This is a fascinating book that looks at the interplay between regional and political identity. It is almost certainly best read after Woodard's American Nations, as it builds on the ideas he develops there. Woodard is far from the only writer to approach the question of American regionalism, but his work is more accessible than most. He's an engaging writer, and his work seems to be well-researched. He raises interesting points about the ways regional identities have played into American political history.

As with American Nations, Woodard's sympathies and his own regional affiliation are visible. Some readers may find this grating. Woodard is a Mainer--a product of what he defines as Yankeedom (though I do highly recommend Woodard's Lobster Coast for a more nuanced portrait of the cultural history and landscape of at least the coastal portion of Maine, and perhaps a slightly clearer image of where Woodard himself comes from). Whether you agree with him or not, it is interesting to consider how his own definition of his native region plays into his ideas and how he writes about them.