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American Individualism Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 64 ratings

In late 1921, then secretary of commerce Herbert Hoover decided to distill from his experiences a coherent understanding of the American experiment he cherished. The result was the 1922 book American Individualism. In it, Hoover expounded and vigorously defended what has come to be called American exceptionalism: the set of beliefs and values that still makes America unique. He argued that America can make steady, sure progress if we preserve our individualism, preserve and stimulate the initiative of our people, insist on and maintain the safeguards to equality of opportunity, and honor service as a part of our national character. American Individualism asserts that equal opportunity for individuals to develop their abilities is "the sole source of progress" and the fundamental impulse behind American civilization for three—now four—centuries. More than ninety years have passed since this book was first published; it is clear, in retrospect, that the volume was partly motivated by the political controversies of the time. But American Individualism is not simply a product of a dim and receding past. To a considerable degree the ideological battles of Hoover's era are the battles of our own, and the interpretations we make of our past—particularly the years between 1921 and 1933—will mold our perspective on the crises of the present.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The 31st President of the United States, HERBERT HOOVER (1874-1964) was born in Iowa, educated at Stanford University, and made a fortune in mining interests. He was instrumental in numerous international war-relief efforts. He served as secretary of commerce under Presidents Harding and Coolidge, and was elected to the Oval Office in 1928.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N3MAVX1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hoover Press; 1st edition (December 1, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1081 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 85 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1440037914
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 64 ratings

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Herbert Hoover
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
64 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
How does a society balance meeting needs and maintaining freedom? It will never be perfect, and never has been, but this balancing act is necessary because extremes in either direction bring misery and death. And, it turns out that maintaining everyone's freedom is necessary to meeting everyone's needs.

Well, that's the best way I can summarize American Individualism in a few sentences. This book is dated a bit, but not nearly as much as I thought it might be. It really does speak to the political issues of today, even though a few words may be out-of-date. It's easy to understand what the author means. This was written for every American.

And, now when I hear or read someone criticizing American Individualism, I can understand if this person even knows what they are writing or speaking about. It's a good chance they don't.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023
This book completely transformed my opinion of Herbert Hoover. While Hoover has been an extremely controversial president it is undeniable that his were great and also incredibly insightful. There are many points that Hoover makes that were accurate predictions. One that immediately comes to mind was the devolution of corporations to the shareholder and consumer which could not be any further from the truth. While I also agree and disagree on some of Hoover's views on government I can easily understand and get behind his trust of individuals in order to enact positive change an idea which could not be more true in our modern age. Overall, this is a fantastic book that contains political ideals I feel society desperately needs more of in an age where government has usurped the responsibility of individuals.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2014
Good information. Dated, of course, but good.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
Great service and product---everything I expected
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
I'm afraid I was expecting an essay about 'American Exceptionalism,' but I wasn't disappointed by the content which observes the first-hand observations and comparisons of the superiority of individual liberty vs. the socialistic state. (Mostly the governments of the US vs. the governments of Europe after WW l.) But the writing is very old fashioned and the ideas presented are excellent but not abundant. I call it receiving 3 excellent pounds in a 5 pound bag. Consequently my rating.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
Herbert Hoover was one of the GREATEST American's in history. The solution to many of today's problems are offered by him on pages 1 through 10 of this simple little book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2013
In an age in which many of the idealogical arguments of FDR were adopted by the intellectual elite, Herbert Hoover set out to show that the planned economic programs of the progressive/socialist democrats would eventually lead to disaster. He prophetically looked at communist, facism, and nazism. All three were headed to dictatorial control resulting in human suffering and loss of basic human rights.Maybe people will learn today before it is too late. The Bible states that there are none so blind as those who will not see. Everyone who can see should read this book and also the Challenge to Liberty written by Herbert Hoover.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2022
Great minds have already created ideas for how to combat the current crisis we struggle with. Why isn’t this a well known book?!

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