The Nature of the American System [Paperback]

Rousas John Rushdoony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Originally published in 1965, these essays were a continuation of the author's previous work, This Independent Republic, and examine the interpretations and concepts which have attempted to remake and rewrite America's past and present. 'The writing of history then, because man is neither autonomous, objective nor ultimately creative, is always in terms of a framework, a philosophical and ultimately religious framework in the mind of the historian. To the orthodox Christian, the shabby incarnations of the reigning historiographies are both absurd and offensive. They are idols, and he is forbidden to bow down to them and must indeed wage war against them.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Ross House Books (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879998270
• ISBN-13: 978-1879998278
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to introduce the writings of R.J. Rushdoony, November 18, 2009

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Gaylan Lane "Gaylan Lane" (Knoxville) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Nature of the American System (Paperback)

"The Nature of the American System", (first published in 1965) is definitely the type of book I love to read; it's very thought provocative and challenges the reader to contemplate upon the status quo. The book is somewhat like a sequel to a book written by Mr. Rushdoony a year earlier titled, "This Independent Republic". The book had nine chapters and three Appendixes, and I think that the most compelling chapters are the ones titled "The Attack on Religious Liberty" and "The Religion of Humanity."

"The Religion of Humanity" (the longest chapter of the book at thirty-eight pages) could just have been easily titled The Building of the Spiritual Tower of Babel. The chapter basically deals with the undermining of orthodox Christianity by way of a liberal version of Christianity. Included in the chapter is a discussion of one named Octavius B. Frothingham (American clergyman and author; 1822-1895), who wrote a book titled by same name as the chapter, and to give a hint as to the theology of Frothingham: "Our Christ is not so much a community as an element that is the soul of many communities."

There are two chapters concerning two firm believers of Constitutionalism - a Northerner named Fisher Ames (1758-1808) and his perspectives on democracy, and a Southerner named Alexander H. Stephens (1812-1883) and his critique of Centralism. There is also a chapter titled, "The United Nations", which Rushdoony states that any discusson thereof "is enevitably a religious discussion."

Mr. Rushdoony views are orthodox and Reformed, and this book is well worth the time invested in reading. A listing of other books by R.J. Rushdoony can be found at this website.