14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing viewpoint on 20th Century US History, January 9, 2006
This review is from: A New Republic: A History of the United States in the Twentieth Century (Paperback)
John Lukacs is one of the best historians in the field, though most of his work deals with 20th-Century European history. This book warrants being read in connection with his excellent history of Philadelphia in the first half of the century.
In this book, Lukacs takes a rather negative view of cultural trends in the United States since 1900. These negative trends include: 1) the growing bureaucratization, not only of government, but also the professions, which can be seen as a weakening of the national character; 2) de-urbanization, the result of the automobile, and the implications of a less urban society; and 3) Inflation (and thus devaluation) of money (an economic issue) but also, of ideas -- a complicated concept. (The argument is that the huge increase in printed material and expansion of the media in the 20th century has created an "inflation" of words and thus ideas.)
Lukacs might best be described as a small-c conservative; he has many critical things to say about the Eisenhower and Reagan administrations, especially re: the gaps between their rhetoric and their actions when it came to the issue of the size and role of the federal government in the nation's life.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Let's Face The Music And Dance..., June 28, 2005
This review is from: A New Republic: A History of the United States in the Twentieth Century (Paperback)
Written by one of our top historians about the quality of life in The United States as a New Republic. He has also written THREAD OF YEARS and AT THE END OF AN AGE. He is a noted voice of history in this country and says things they way they need to be said. He is an expert in the political life of America.
Which two presidents died on July 4? As the new republic, the young country started out in good hands. Gradually, as the eons pass, it has fallen into the hands of the wealthy. They'd like to think they are modern Napoleons and his wars, but I'd like to remind them to remember what happened at Waterloo.
It takes a lot of maneuvering to make politics in this modern age of favoritism and people in office who have no place there. Those with the government jobs locally are not qualified or trained and most dress up and play act, from the Mayor on down. Alas, this is the trend in most of the country. Will we become another fallen country who will depend on India to come to our aid? It's something to contemplate. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthiest.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
