Customer Reviews

A Nation of Sheep

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Given the current situation of the United States in Iraq and the circumstances as to how the U. S. got involved, one would think that it was a historical abnormality. However, in reading accurate histories and this book it is all too clear that it is not. For many different reasons, some noble and honest, but others simply due to greed and stupidity, the U. S. government has consistently lied to the American people about foreign entanglements. In this book Lederer describes some of the most absurd deceits perpetrated by American presidents.
They are:

*) "The Laos Fraud", the supposed invasion of Laos by the North Vietnamese, a scam perpetrated by some members of the Laotian government in collusion with members of the U. S. military and government. To react to the "great threat" billions of dollars of American aid was sent into the country.
*) "The Editor from Thailand", a description of how the ruling elite of Thailand solicits American aid by claiming fear of the communist bogeyman and how most is pocketed by corrupt Thais.
*) "What We Aren't Told About Formosa", an accurate description of Chiang Kai-shek and how his government in China was so corrupt and inefficient that it was bound to fail. Lederer also describes how ruthless his government was in destroying the native Formosan culture and in attaining and maintaining his power.
*) "What We Aren't Told About Korea", a description of the brutality and corruption of the Syngman Rhee government of South Korea. In many ways, Rhee was just as repressive as many of the communist governments that the U. S. so strongly opposed.

Lederer then goes on to describe how other programs, supposedly designed to further American goodwill around the world have had the opposite effect. Aid moneys are regularly skimmed into the pockets of local government and military officials so that only a small portion actually reaches the hands of those who need it.
Lederer also is harsh with the members of the press, who accept subtle bribes to write positive stories and who sometimes are a party to outright fraudulent stories. At the end, the advice he gives is sound, even though as recent events indicate, it is not being followed any more now as in 1961. That advice is that citizens must be soundly informed and willing to make their opinions heard. As scandal after scandal over the current Iraq war continues to surface and we learn more and more about how the American invasion was launched, it is clear that Lederer's position is just as true now as it was in 1961.

Grants and loans from the IMF and the US foreign aid program usually do give the US a black eye. This, Mr. Lederer saw years ago. Struggling economies and governments don't need more money; they need human capital. They need investment in education and agriculture and already transparent and successful business models. The principles and practices proposed in this book could share free market economics and democratic examples with those countries and people who need that help the most. A must read for anyone who wants to understand why our efforts to help Russia and its former republics, eastern Europe and numerous other nations have failed and will continue to fail.

Late 1960's, eight grade in the Chicago Public School system, our teacher required us to read this book. I'm truly grateful. The basic theme is the manipulation of attitudes and beliefs by the the news media in order to shape governement policy. Distortions; exaggerations; character assasination; undereporting significant facts; whatever it takes to propagandize the population and align sentiment with selected political agendas. Ever since that required reading I've examined the news from whatever source for deliberatly skewed stories designed to influence belief rather than straight objective reporting. Of course as we all know, regardless of rather it's left, right or center, political agendas are shaping the news we recieve. And that trend is intensifying. Without that early exposure in my life to "A Nation of Sheep", I might have numbly accepted the current politically charged news reporting as accurate. This is a pivotal work and young people should read and discuss this book in todays classrooms, lest they remain unawakened to the methods of mass propaganda utilized by most media in todays reportage.

I read this book in 1969 and have thought about it many times through the years as we seem to keep repeating history over and over. It was recommended to me by a Canadian that I worked with. I believe Pres Nixon had just taken office. I can honestly say that very little surprises me anymore when politics are involved. Those with power and money want to keep it and many who don't want it. They are called human beings and we should never let them have so much power that they are not accountable to anyone. If we do then we shouldn't complain about the after affect.

I first read this book sometime in 1970. 90% of the material written in the book seemed to have happened ie pass or fail in gym classes, undermind the military in the press, undermind the police force in the press. It more or less shows how the news media will try and control the united states. And it has happened.

Given the current situation of the United States in Iraq and the circumstances as to how the U. S. got involved, one would think that it was a historical abnormality. However, in reading accurate histories and this book it is all too clear that it is not. For many different reasons, some noble and honest, but others simply due to greed and stupidity, the U. S. government has consistently lied to the American people about foreign entanglements. In this book Lederer describes some of the most absurd deceits perpetrated by American presidents.
They are:

*) "The Laos Fraud", the supposed invasion of Laos by the North Vietnamese, a scam perpetrated by some members of the Laotian government in collusion with members of the U. S. military and government. To react to the "great threat" billions of dollars of American aid was sent into the country.
*) "The Editor from Thailand", a description of how the ruling elite of Thailand solicits American aid by claiming fear of the communist bogeyman and how most is pocketed by corrupt Thais.
*) "What We Aren't Told About Formosa", an accurate description of Chiang Kai-shek and how his government in China was so corrupt and inefficient that it was bound to fail. Lederer also describes how ruthless his government was in destroying the native Formosan culture and in attaining and maintaining his power.
*) "What We Aren't Told About Korea", a description of the brutality and corruption of the Syngman Rhee government of South Korea. In many ways, Rhee was just as repressive as many of the communist governments that the U. S. so strongly opposed.

Lederer then goes on to describe how other programs, supposedly designed to further American goodwill around the world have had the opposite effect. Aid moneys are regularly skimmed into the pockets of local government and military officials so that only a small portion actually reaches the hands of those who need it.
Lederer also is harsh with the members of the press, who accept subtle bribes to write positive stories and who sometimes are a party to outright fraudulent stories. At the end, the advice he gives is sound, even though as recent events indicate, it is not being followed any more now as in 1961. That advice is that citizens must be soundly informed and willing to make their opinions heard. As scandal after scandal over the current Iraq war continues to surface and we learn more and more about how the American invasion was launched, it is clear that Lederer's position is just as true now as it was in 1961.

Although this was written many years ago, it still applies today in a political environment!

I read this book @ 40 years ago and believe we are still sheep! This book is must reading for all interested in foreign affairs

I was most curious to review this book as I was first introduced to a book of the same title in the '50s. my copy arrived as described in excellent condition and sooner than expected. I shall be looking for other titles from the same seller.