Customer Reviews

Against the Beast: An Anti-Imperialist Reader

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My favorite March 2003 protest sign against Bush's war on Iraq was one that I saw at a huge demonstration in Wisconsin: 'America, your brain is washed but your hands are still bloody.' That sign would fit well in this brilliant, essential collection by John Nichols, one of America's most important political writers. At the dawn of the 21st century America has been tricked down a disastrous path of empire in the name of security, freedom and democracy. Advocates of war hid their real intentions and exploited the terror attacks of 9/11, as Sheldon Rampton and I explained in our 2003 book Weapons of Mass Deception. John Nichols has here assembled the wisdom of America's true heroes and patriots for peace and justice, opening our eyes and showing us the way back home.

I enjoyed this book tremendously; I appreciate being reminded of America's founding fathers and the beliefs that we started out with. It's also unique in having two indexes - a first lines index and a subject index. The publisher was certainly interested in making this information accessible.

I usually don't like these kinds of books. By that, I mean 'books that compile articles/letters written in the past.' But "Against the Beast" is an exception.

In light of the events of today (today being July 27, 2005), it's refreshing (and a little sad) that 21st century Americans are not the first Americans to have to deal with an imperial President and hawkish supporters. This is the exact right book to read for a look-back on past anti-imperial thoughts and writings.

John Nichols: thanks for putting this together!

I would recommend this book to any thoughtful person trying to get a sense for how George Bush's America fits within America's historical trajectory. There are some heros in this book, but many more villains.

Most disturbing to me was the account of the treatement of the Native Americans -- as Nichols points out, we can't excuse past atrocities by saying, "That's just how it was back then"; there are always those who recognize atrocities even as they are being committed -- this book pays past heros a long-due debt of recognition.

This book is loaded with first-hand accounts from Americans throughout history who stood up on behalf of liberty during our darkest days. The author adds very little of his own, choosing rather to let history speak for itself. Most of the incidents covered in this book are conveniently skimmed over in history textbooks, such as the removal of the Cherokee Nation, forced annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, etc. Enlightening, disturbing, and inspiring at the same time, a great read for anyone who cares about justice and righteousness in our day and age.