Customer Reviews

American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Okay, so what makes the audio version of a book better than the bound version? Why, the reader, of course! How about if the reader is the guy who actually wrote the book? Even better, right? Suppose the guy has a highly rated show on MSNBC? Hmmm...intriguing. If you're a Hardball fan, you've come to expect a certain delivery from its mildly quirky host, Chris Matthews. Here we have a gathering of Matthews' favorite moments in American history. They may not necessarily be your favorite moments, but who cares? It's just fun listening. Matthews succeeds in bringing historical perspective and American attitude to what he considers to be important moments in cinema, politics, and events, which have shaped our country and its development. He could have continued with the idea, and possibly have written ten times the volume of work, but he kept it short and sweet. Here's the beauty of the concept. Sequels, sequels, and more sequels. Matthews has left the idea wide open for endless opportunities to add to the collection. I for one will be there to purchase every audio CD version as it becomes available. When you listen to Matthews reading his own stuff, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the emotion he wants you to feel. Probably the same emotion intended during the writing process. He tried to keep it subdued, and during the first disk he appeared to consciously keep it under the speed limit. But with everything he does the intensity level creeps up on you, and he takes it up a notch. You really can't help but get into it. Why is Chris Matthews so successful, well respected, and yes feared by certain political and media figures? Because they don't take the time to research what his passions are before they appear on his show. My advice to guys like Kerry, Dean, and Gephardt is simple. Read or listen to Matthews' book before going on Hardball. If you're not good at thinking on your feet or taking the control away from the host (good luck), then you run the risk of being eaten alive like one Dennis Kucinich. Now the guy won't even appear on Matthews' series of shows from the Kennedy School of Government. Have a nice life, Dennis. If you're a guy like Joe Biden, however, who happens to be one of the guys that Matthews can't seem to touch, then you don't need the prep. Kerry should have read this book. I'm typing this before the Howard Dean show. Can't wait for the fireworks. They really need to let Chris moderate one of these debates. Wouldn't that be fun? One day MSNBC will smarten up and put Matthews up against O'Reilly. Anyway, you won't be disappointed with the book in any version unless you can't stand the guy. But if you're not a fan of his stuff then what are you doing even reading this review? I'm not trying to be a Chris Matthews suck up, or maybe I am, but I happen to like the guy. His idealistic albeit liberal approach reflects true patriotism. It is not only patriotic to question one's government, but it is every American's duty and responsibility.

I recommend this book, it is only 200+ pages and very well documented. It could be very good resource material for a civic class, American history class, and should be required reading for American's. This book is NOT negative, but delves into why we are like we are and not like anyone else in the world. Chris comes up with ten, uniquely American notions and they are very interesting. IMHO (in my humble opinion) this is very worthwhile reading! Senator John McCain is one of his contemporary examples, but Chris goes back to before the Revolutionary War for other examples.

Author Matthews has an "All-American" view of our collective
history, and he does a nice job of highlighting some of the
things that have specifically shaped him into a particular
"all-American" character himself.
He touches briefly on some of our cultural heroes, and since
they are all worthy of review, his thoughts on them are
worth reading. It seems a bit odd that he puts such emphasis
on movies and their heroes, but those movies have no doubt
influenced his view of America, just as other factors have
shaped our own view.
The author hits only the high points of a rather odd mixture
of historic figures, but they are all worth reviewing, and
he gives the reader some positive thoughts to consider, and
it is a nice review of a few American leaders who have influenced our collective thinking about exactly what a "real"
American is.
Given the author's experience and education, this book has a
rather "light" feel to it, and it is rather easy to get through
it quickly, but his points are nonetheless valid. Many factors
make up a true American, and they come from a great variety of
sources during the last 300 years, and we still credit a lot
of our qualities to our forebearers, both real and fictional.
An interesting read.

Chris Matthews' new book, American - Beyond our Grandest Notions, is a gem. It's a quick read, and for that reason alone may appeal to students, parents who want be able to explain to their kids why America is truly the land of the free and home of the brave and perhaps most importantly - this book will give boomers and seniors a much needed booster shot of pride in this nation.

The prejudice comes in because it frankly and without pretense champions the citizens of the USA. Not a bad combination in today's world where it is fashionable to take the pseudo-intellectual position of seeing the rest of the peoples of the earth as victims of Americans and beating their chests with feigned mea-culpas. We've had decades of post-modern, deconstructionist cynicism. It is entirely appropriate at this time in our history to remind ourselves that Americans have some unique qualities and why this is so. The 10 people Matthews chose to demonstrate these characteristics come from nearly 250 years in our past to the present.

Want to have some damned good, honest responses to share with the next boor who whines about the demise of your homeland? Treat yourself and people you care about to a copy of American.

This book is alot like light beer. It satisfies somewhat, but after consuming it, you wonder why. I like Chris Matthews, because I think he tries to be fair to both sides on his TV show. I read to learn new things, and regretfully I learned little from this book. This book tries to tie in history, famous figures, and movies. Well, I suppose there is something to this, but history is history and not stories in movies. The other tenet in this book is the characteristics of Americans that make them different from the rest of the world. Again a long stretch. People are people, and Americans are no more unique than others in this world.
I think highly of Chris Matthews and his first book Kennedy and Nixon. This just wasn't a great book. There are more deserving books out there.

Very easy, fast read, and right on the mark. Makes you remember that as Americans, we each have the opportunity to create and live the lives we choose.

I was disappointed a bit in that he repetitively referenced the same historical figures throughout the book - it was as if there were no other Americans of significance to note as examples. The constant reference to George Washington, Tom Paine, Lincoln, JFK, became too obvious - as if he couldn't think of anyone else. The reference to the movie characters Jefferson Smith, and Rick Blaine though insightful became too repititous, as is there were none others.

It wasn't a bad book, but not a great one. As I finished reading it, I realized that Chris is also living and pursuing the American dream - by writing this book. When complete, and upon reading his references - what a simple premise for a book. It focuses on the obvious, reminds us of who we are, and where we come from, without digging very deep. It is knowledge every American should, if not already has. The research must have been done over a weekend, and the writing on the next weekend.

Why didn't I think of it first.

I read most of the reviews already posted, particularly the negative ones. I am not sure what people were expecting from Chris or the book but I found it to be an easy and enjoyable read. If I wanted a history textbook, I would have bought one. I wanted to read an optimistic, positive book about America that doesn't resort to the "liberals are traitors" thumping we hear from the Right. Chris mildy and briefly reveals his reservations about President Bush but he doesn't bash him. I don't expect Hardball to be sole source of political information, nor did I expect "Americans: Beyond out Grandest Notions" to be my sole source for American history. I probably won't refer to it again but it was a pleasurable read that stands way above the partisan name calling books we get from Coulter, Franken, Hannity, Limbaugh, and Moore. Casablanca may not be my favorite movie, but who cares? Some Americans identify with it. Chris did, and he's the author. I'm okay with that. Thanks for lifting my spirits Chris. America isn't as bad as some people say we are.

This is terrific writing (fast and smooth reading) by Chris Matthews, just like the terrific commentaries he does on television. He is realistic about conditions in America today and the way Americans are. Well worth the time and effort to read, especially if you have read Norman Thomas Remick's allegory of America titled "West Point: Character Leadership Education.." that tells us what it is supposed to mean to be an American, according to the Founders. Matthews has put forth another powerful analysis of contemporaneous life. I won't ruin it for you by telling you what he says.

Get Chris Matthews' book, "American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions" and read for yourself the way it is .

Well, I finally got around to reading this book.I note from the reviews they have been very mixed culminating in an average of 3 stars.I also note that there were only 2 in 2005 and 2 in 2004 ;so I guess it has pretty well run its course.Actually, I found it a good exercise in covering the values that made United States the greatest nation the world has ever seen .Sure ,she has seen dark days ,but in the end, the thing that all freedom loving people in the world associate with America always prevails;namely the pursuit of Life,Liberty and Happiness.Over her history, there have been a great variety in the men who held the office,and the fact that they all believed in their country gave them the strength to arise to meet the challenges,no matter how difficult they were.
Although a Canadian,I realize that much of the good fortune we have had is because of the fact we have benefited from living beside the best country in the world.We tend to follow American politics because it has such a great impact on us.In my lifetime ,I believe that there were 4 Presidents that stood out to meet the challenges.Those being;Truman,Kennedy,Reagan and now Bush.Whether other Presidents would have been as great faced with the same problems--who knows?
I also thought Matthew's use of books and movies to show they reflect what happened over the years.
There are many wonderful ideas presented in the book,but on page 139,there is as good a summary of what makes America different than any other country.
While there is a lot of America bashing going around the world these days,what other country could such a book like this be written?Just imagine that there was no America,what would the world be like today.To understand what made America this book shows it was the people ,not the government,that made it happen.
In other words "By the People,For the People and in God We trust."
Though not a lot of new ideas,this book is a great reminder of what America is all about.

Despite Chris Mathews political stance as a moderate Democrat, this book is a good read for all Americans, no matter your political tendencies. He describes in 10 notions American's privaledge to live in a country of such opportunity. A short read, but one that truly breaks down why America continues to thrive.