Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97503 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
On a switchback ride through the USA, riding pillion with America's founding fathers, Jonathan Freedland searches out the qualities that made America the land at the end of his childhood rainbow, the place his grandfather and he conspired to run off to because of its open promise and unbounded potential. Noisy, crass, greedy, riddled with crime, riven by race, obsessed by money: America, exporter of junk to the UK. Or is it? From Lesbianville in New Hampshire to Tent City in Arizona, from the high kitsch celebration of Liberace to the Bible Belt austerity of Iowa, from the paranoid militia of rural Montana to Florida's Condo Canyon, this is a journey to the heart of modern America -- to Normal, Illinois. On his travels Freedland reveals how Americans control of their own lives, shape their own communities and vibrantly assert their rights. And there's even a twist: the spirit that inspires the American secret is actually our own -- a British revolutionary fervour mislaid across the Atlantic.

This what has made America the diverse, freedom-loving, self-sufficient, independent icon to the world: the place where socialism never took hold because it is inherent in the founding vision, where capitalism at the same time has reached its apogee; where many cultures contribute to the national fabric and yet the sense of belonging to the nation and reverence for its symbols is unmatched across the globe. It's time Britain shared the vitality: time to reclaim the revolution and bring it home.

Customer Reviews

Should be made compulsory school reading
Any book that calls for Liz Windsor to be removed from the throne deserves to be compulsory reading for all UK school children. However, having an unelected head of state is only one aspect of the 'British Constitution' that compares unfavourably with the USA. The lack of control and accountability of the ruling elite in the UK is truly appalling.

This book draws stark, and uncomfortable, contrasts between the way things are done in the UK as opposed to the USA. Americans recognise that democracy is important, unfortunately we in the UK seem to have forgotten this.

Very easy read that is stimulating and thought provoking.
What an eye-opener! This really does challenge the "British Club". If you ever wanted to understand why the majority of the British are apathetic towards government, this book will help you. It doesn't present America as a panacea either. There is much to criticise in America, and much to praise. There is not very much to praise about the political system in Britain, once you understand upon what it is built.

Next time a politician turns up on your doorstep to canvass for your vote, give him this book.

Thought provoking, accesible and damn good reading
Before reading "Bring Home The Revolution" I had always considered myself anti-American due to the apparent materialistic ways of the 'Yanks', severe lack of democracy in the country and domineering role taken in global affairs. Yet now I find myself wholly convinced by Freedland's republican arguments and reproducing them to associates of mine. The author brilliantly sets out his argument using the clearsest syntax I have come across in a book of this standard. The main advantage of this book is that it presents the facts, figures and arguments in a manner which is accesible to all regardless of educational attainment using an excellent array of examples to illustrate his points. All in all, a very enjoyable book that steers clear of the heavy, academical approach favoured by many lesser writers.Finally, I recommend reading this book along with "The State We're In" by Will Hutton which will provide the reader with a devastating critique of the Britain of today.