Customer Reviews

The New American Revolution: Using the Power of the Individual to Save Our Nation from Extremists

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Tammy Bruce is one of the most thoughtful political commentators of our era. Avowedly pro choice, a lesbian activist, and a registered Democrat, Bruce has still managed to provide a thoughtful critique of the much of the cultural left. She rejects identity politics and finds that she prefers George Bush as president because "I know, despite our disagreements, [he] honors me in his work to keep this nation free and great."(p.34) Not surprisingly, Bruce is widely assumed to be some sort of right wing commentator. Indeed, most of the other Amazon reviewers do seem to consider her as such. They either love or disparage her book for this very reason. But she is just what she claims to be: a classic liberal who believes in individualism and personal freedom.

In this book Bruce is optimistic that the cultural left has been defeated. She thinks that after 9/11 Americans regained a sense of identity that rejected the politics of division that the left promotes. She sees in the 2004 presidental campaign a further rejection the narcissist left views of those like George Soros. And she provides a game plan for how the "new individuals" can continue to fight the collectivist propaganda put forth by Viacom' media outlets like CBS. These are very thoughtful suggestions. Bruce shows that individuals can make a difference when confronting large institutions, be they corporations or local governments.

Despite this, I cannot share Bruce's optimism. Although I agree with Bruce's claim that leftist politics and culture tends to isolate individuals (indeed, I have a close friend who constantly barrages me with fairly crude, and sometimes outright hateful propaganda simply because I do not tow the line on each and every single issue the Democratic Party is positioning itself with at the moment) I do not see Republican victories, such as they are, as victories for the radical individualism. Many of my right wing friends are just as involved in group think and delusional conspiracy theories as the members of NOW and the Feminist Majority are. And the recent 2005 elections show that radical individuals, given the choice of "tax and spend" liberals or "tax and borrow" conservatives, are increasingly just sitting out elections. Rightly so. I, like Bruce, was personally appalled by the willingness of Democrats to give Clinton a pass on his many failings. I was also appalled by the number of conservatives who would support Bush no matter what he did prior to the nomination of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court. (Even after that nomination, many Republican "family rights" advocates supported this obvious cronyism with the same mindless loyalty Democrats had earlier exhibited.) There is no reason to support bad policies or politicians from either party.

Despite finding Bruce's optimism unwarrented, I think this book is exceedingly important. In the last chapter, Bruce defends her "choice" to be a lesbian (that very description will bother many of her gay friends) and her pro-choice beliefs to an audience that will largely disagree with her. She does so with the understanding that "thoughtful people [can] disagree and not be 'enemies.'" (p.217) This chapter, therefore, exemplifies how political discourse should be. Honest, fair, and respectful. Everyone on the political left and right should use it as a model.

Tammy Bruce is a useful person to have around. As someone who has spent a large chunk of her adult life in left-wing organizations, she is able to give her readers an inside view of how they operate. Also, I firmly believe that as long as ideas stay in the realm of intellectuals, they have limited impact. Radio announcers, journalists and those who write general books for the masses are important in taking those ideas and presenting them to a general audience. Bruce is not on the same intellectual par as Tom Sowell or John Lott and that is too her advantage in this respect.

In THE NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Bruce presents the readers with a practical perspective on some issues and gives some practical advice as to what people opposed to the Left can do to fight back against the sneaking advancement of leftist policies into our lives. Unfortunately, she does so in a rather haphazard and disjointed manner. But let us come to that later and start with the positives instead.

Bruce is pretty solid in articulating the various issues in her book. She provides a solid defense not only of gun ownership but of the underlying idea that an armed citizenry is essential to a free society. Bruce provides balance to a media that almost consistently plays up gun use against innocent civilians while ignoring those instances in which law abiding gun owners save themselves or others through the use of firearms. She also is persuasive in her case that those on the left want to take away our right to own guns in order to make us weak and passive and therefore easily led to the utopian society envisioned by the Left itself.

Bruce's take on the United Nations is particularly entertaining. She rightly slams the U.N. for doing nothing while genocides have taken place and also for propping up any two-bit dictator who strokes the ego of the U.N. bureaucracy. An exceptional point is made when Bruce informs us that sexual abuse by U.N. officials of citizens of devastated and ravaged countries is not isolated. Rather, even the U.N. admitted that such abuse has taken place in every single one of its sixteen missions throughout the world. Clearly the problem is institutional rather than simply that of a few bad apples and seriously calls into question the ability of the U.N. to do anything even closely approximating its supposed mission.

As I recently read Peter Singer's execrable ONE WORLD, in which Singer displayes a boundless enthusiasm for the United Nations while paying only the most perfunctory lip service to its scandals, I was particularly receptive to this part of Bruce's book. That Singer is considered one of the world's top philosophers while Bruce is not is a good demonstration that the common person often displays a clear wisdom as compared to intellectuals who see the same issues through an ideological lens.

The biggest weak point of THE NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION is that it is poorly put together primarily due to a weak underlying theme. Bruce wants to provide readers with practical advice on how to combat encroachment to our liberties (and she does helpfully provide information on organizations to support and concrete actions one may take) but she obviously wants more. She overplays her hand by placing these ideas and policy prescriptions into the framework of her new revolution that provides her with the book's title. Unfortunately, this produces some problems.

Bruce uses the re-election of George W. Bush as the basis of her assertion that some new revolution against Leftism is in the works. But that can be seen another way. The Democrats put up the most leftward tilting member of the Senate who consistently downplayed America's role in the world. Yet he still managed to get almost half the vote. Please forgive me if I am not comforted that some new revolution is taking place. Further, Bruce spends an inordinate amount of time trying to describe this alleged new revolution and the people who are part of it. The result is that the first half of the book is an extended ego stroke towards the readers telling us how wonderful we are for being a part of it. At some point one just wants to tell her, look, thanks for the compliment Tammy, but can we get down to business.

Although there are a number of little issues which I could address that are problematic, let me pick just one. Bruce devotes a section on her positions on abortion and homosexuality assuming these are the rough spots between her and many of her readers. But one issue that she does not address is the annoying tendency of feminists to simply show shockingly little regard for men and it is an issue to which Bruce herself contributes.

In her discussion of conditions in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, we are treated to typical concerns about women and children without a word to that group consistently missing from the feminist zone of concern - men. Perhaps this would be understandable if Bruce were an old Texas cowboy demonstrating traditional chivalry. But let us be honest - she is not. And perhaps we can agree that women are indeed treated much worse in the Islamic world than men. Maybe. But in a society such as Hussein's in which men were lowered into paper shredders feet first and treated to acid dips, this only takes us so far. It also fails to take into account that which Bruce herself reminds us to always consider - context, context, context.

The context here is that Bruce has aligned herself with an ideological movement - feminism - with a long history of flat-out contempt for men. Indeed, I occasionally point out to feminists that men are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than are women and I consistently receive the same response. The feminists twist their faces in utter disgust and spit out "Well, by other men" with complete contempt in their voices. When I point out that anyone not willing to make moral distinctions between violent criminals and their victims is not in a position to lecture the rest of us about anything, they become even more hostile. Sure, I have heard plently of so called moderate feminists claim to disagree with the sentiments here described, but only after I start shoving back. Left to their own devices, moderate feminists have shown an unbelievable talent to do absolutely nothing to address this issue only to babble endlessly after I take it up instead.

Given this context, one comes to the unfortunate conclusion that Bruce excludes men from her statements of concern for the simple reason that she is just not that concerned about them. If that seems harsh, keep in mind it is a harshness based on years and years and years of dealing with feminists.

The result of all this is a rather haphazard book. Read it for the descriptions of those issues that Bruce has decided to include herein and for those practical steps that she suggests we take. But be aware of the numerous problems with THE NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION and be aware also that the first half could well be skimmed over or perhaps even skipped.

Tammy Bruce's newest book, The New American Revolution (TNAR), should be read by anyone with even a passing interest in politics and social discourse. Her views are refreshing and the narrative brisk.
TNAR offers the reader an unapologetic pep rally on American nationalism while simutaneously warning of the dangers the left wing establishment presents to the future of the country. As a former president of the LA chapter of the National Organization of Woman, Ms. Bruce gives the reader a rare insiders view of left wing organizations and how they manipulate the press to distort the truth. There is plenty in this book for people on both sides of the political spectrum to both agree and disagree with her. Ms. Bruce makes clear that she is an independent thinker and wants only for the reader to THINK about issues before they come to a conclusion. This is an enjoyable read and should be a political primer for those who are just now beginning to pay attention to politics or those who have been following it for years. Highly recommend.

"The New American Revolution" is an inspiring, thought-provoking book that not just gives us abstract notions, but actual suggestions for action. Bruce has really evolved as a writer, and as a thinker, since "The New Thought Police," and her growth has been a marvel to watch.

The only thing that prevents me from a five-star rating is that it lacks the punch of her previous book, "The Death of Right and Wrong." After DRW, I looked for the kind of passion, intellectual strength, and moral clarity that Bruce exemplified in that book. Those elements are still there, but somewhat subdued, in my opinion.

Overall, though, it is a great read for liberal and conservative and Democrat and Republican alike. If you're not inspired after reading "The New American Revolution" check your pulse.

Tammy and I have corresponded a number of times via email over the last few years, and with each reply I have grown to understand her better and trust in her wisdom. In this book she spells out how we can be individualistic, and yet part of a growing network of conservative thinkers. She understands the big picture is one of national security, and having a media that provides accurate, non-biased information for the public.

Tammy makes the case that Evangelicals, straights, gays, lesbians and abortion rights supporters can find their place in George Bush's America, even if there is the inevitable friction between these groups. In spite of certain political disagreements she and I have, I am glad to know we stand together on the issues of consequence.

I have compared Ms. Bruce to Ayn Rand, not only on Amazon but to all my friends. This new book and her direction confirms this in my mind. As a matter of fact, I think I'm more inclined to call Ayn Rand the Tammy Bruce of her generation!
I have been a fan of Ms. Bruce's since The Death of Right and Wrong. You can see my opinion of her then from my review for that book.
One of the risks a writer like Ms. Bruce runs is disappointing her audience, especially when she takes a new approach with subject matter. I have been waiting forever for this new book, The New American Revolution, and it is somewhat different from her first two, and not only does she not disappoint, I believe this is her best work so far.
Her first two books, while excellent cultural and political studies, rely primarily on analysis of current events, using them to expose the problems in the far left.
This new effort is exactly what I would have hoped for--while it is rooted in certain current events, she expands on what seems to be her core belief--the power and importance of the individual. She does not rest on the usual formula of today's political books, which simply complain about the usual suspects--Ms. Bruce explains her theory of how the American individual emerged from the ashes of 9/11 and how that has changed both our culture and politics.
I especially appreciate her explanation of political labels, the difference between being a leftist and liberal, and the relationship between the left and fascism.
She also provides one of the most moving descriptions of American Nationalism I have ever heard, probably in part because no one else is a champion of American Nationalism! But now we have that champion, and thank goodness.
Some of her right-wing fans (I consider myself a Classical Liberal, courtesy of the description provided by Ms. Bruce) will notice that this is not a wholesale attack on the Left (as were to some degree her first two books). This work is even more thoughtful, and yes, she attacks leftists, but that is not the core of the book.
I would say if there were one thing missing from her first two books it was advice to the reader about how to act on the information she has given us. She has corrected that with this book, providing Action Lists with most of the chapters as well as two appendixes with media contact information and a dissertation on the importance of reading for the individual.
The one concern I had when I picked up this book was seeing a chapter lauding gun ownership. I do not own a gun and as a mom of 2 have had concerns about them. Most surprising to me, I felt this was one of her strongest chapters (all are gems so this is saying a lot) and while I still don't think I'll become a gun owner, I now completely understand the issue in an entirely different way. I suppose I will now be one of those gunless supporters of the Second Amendment.
If you want an easy, predictable read where every other line is comedy punch line about the left, read Coulter or Malkin. I read Ms. Bruce to become a better, more powerful person.

Such books on the state of our culture are often open to either blind praise or blind hate from right and left, respectively. I read this book for a research project I am working on at the university where I teach and want to recommend it for its stark, sober, focused statements on what is happening in American society.
Ms. Bruce's observations and reflections will benefit all on right and left; they are a catalyst for intellectual thought that is not found in other hyperbolic proclamations concerning our 'culture wars'. This study sagely abstains from media hype and pursues the root causes of the issues which effect all of us in our global reality.
Some may wonder about expressions such as 'American nationalism' but these must not be judged or taken out of the context in which Ms Bruce reasons. Her arguments are models of coherence and integration, the natural result of an intellectual passionately involved with the well-being of America as a sane nation in the midst of world-calamity.
Left, right, middle - the fruits of this, her latest work, will provide intellectual nourishment and a sense of life for everyone.

If you are not paying attention to Tammy Bruce and her mentor, David Horowitz, you should be. Whether you come from a right- or left- leaning perspective, you will want to know when the new battle begins, and for my money, Tammy has her eye on the ball.

Like many others, I became acquainted with this incredible woman through her first book, "The New Thought Police". Her arguments about the left's attempt to shut down democratic dialogue (borne from her own experience as LA's NOW chairperson, and as a feminist and lesbian activist with her own talk show) really hit home for this Ann Arbor native. According to Ms. Bruce in presentations since publication of this book, "The New American Revolution" builds on material lain by her first two books, "TNTP" and "The Death of Right and Wrong". Therein lies my only criticism of the book...it does seem to presuppose the reader is a supporter of Ms. Bruce's theories, and does not do as terrific a job of explaining the classical liberalism that underlies all of her writing as does her first book (I have not read the second, and so cannot comment on that).

That being said, there are a lot of us who do agree with Ms. Bruce on most salient points, and who see our ideas and political parties being hijacked by people who want to pull them to either the left or right extreme. For us, this treatise on the individual as self- and neighborhood protector is good reading.

Tammy once again challenges our critical thinking skills and allows us the opportunity to evaluate the messages we receive every day through the media, politicians and the hollywood crowd. She reminds us of the pitfalls of groupthink, the importance personal responsibility, the greatness of our country and the freedoms we enjoy but are allowing to slowly erode away. We need to pay attention. She uses personal stories to illustrate her thoughts and allows us to examine what is important. Thanks Tammy for forcing us to think and believe in the America we used to honor.

This is a well written, well documented book that is a must read for anyone interested in freedom. Or interested in how Americans have been having theirs taken away the last 60 years. It is written in plain English that most high school graduates can understand. If you are concerned about freedom this is a must read book