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The Ugly American Paperback – January 17, 1999

by Eugene Burdick (Author), William J. Lederer (Author)

4.6 526 ratings

See all formats and editions

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The multi-million-copy bestseller that coined the phrase for tragic American blunders abroad.

In the episode that lends the book its title, the "ugly American" is Homer Atkins, a plain and plain-spoken man, who has been sent by the U.S. government to advise the Southeast Asian country of Sarkhan on engineering projects. When Atkins finds badly misplaced priorities and bluntly challenges the entrenched interests, he lays bare a foreign policy gone dangerously wrong.

First published in 1958, The Ugly American became a runaway national bestseller for its slashing exposé of American arrogance, incompetence, and corruption in Southeast Asia. In linked stories and vignettes, the book uses gripping storytelling to draw a devastating picture of how the United States was losing the struggle with Communism in Asia.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date

January 17, 1999
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
ISBN-10

0393318672
ISBN-13

978-0393318678
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very important bombshell."
― New York Herald Tribune

"Not only important but consistently entertaining."
― New York Times

"Slashing.... Draw[s] the reader into a vital subject rarely treated by fiction."
― Time

"[A] powerful and absorbing indictment.... Should be required reading in Washington and elsewhere."
― Kirkus Reviews

"To make use of the truth, unbelievable truth... William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick wrote this devastating indictment of American policy [in Southeast Asia] as fiction. But any correspondent who has been any length of time in the locale of the story will recognize its veracity."
― Robert Trumbull, New York Times Book Review

"A delightfully readable book."
― James A. Michener

"Both enlightening and absorbing reading, with humor and wit."
― Boston Herald

"A powerful, searching book."
― Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Eugene Burdick was a political scientist and author of The Ugly American, Fail-Safe, and other books.

William J. Lederer (1912-2009) was was a former U.S. Navy captain and the co-author of The Ugly American (with Eugene Burdick), The Mirages of Marriage (with Don D. Jackson), and other books.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (January 17, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393318672
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393318678
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #648,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,377 in Cultural Anthropology (Books)
- #31,778 in Literary Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 526 ratings

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Customer reviews

526 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and essential to read. They describe it as interesting and relevant to today's world. Readers also mention the book is entertaining, with poignant and funny anecdotes. They say it makes them think a little bit differently and provides a dose of humility for American culture.

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Readability Relevance Entertainment value Pacing Value for money

36 customers mention "Readability"32 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-written, entertaining, and essential to read for those going overseas. They say it's a classic and a must-read for every American. Readers also mention the book is easy to read through the use of anecdotes.

"...The book is easy to read through the use of capturing anecdotes and entertaining vignettes, while serving to demonstrate effective and meaningful..." Read more

"...The book is a great read, in part because of the examples of ordinary Americans who actually did go overseas and make a difference, each helping in..." Read more

"...The book appears to be timeless. It is an easy read, but disturbing thesis. It is a real American Tragedy. I would recommend it to anyone.[..." Read more

"...My mom also helped me with parts I didn't understand. This book was well written and helped get me ready to be a gracious and respectful traveler..." Read more

13 customers mention "Relevance"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and relevant to today's world. They say it's a truly perceptive book, timeless, and truthful. Readers also mention the vignettes serve to demonstrate effective and meaningful messages.

"...The theme and message are important. For those who have ears to hear." Read more

"...anecdotes and entertaining vignettes, while serving to demonstrate effective and meaningful messages...." Read more

"...It is as poignant & relevant now, as it was then - probably more so today...." Read more

"...offer so much about why I think this is one of the most interesting and relevant books today. It should be required reading for every American...." Read more

8 customers mention "Entertainment value"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very entertaining and a remarkable learning experience. They say it has poignant and funny anecdotes.

"...is easy to read through the use of capturing anecdotes and entertaining vignettes, while serving to demonstrate effective and meaningful messages...." Read more

"This is an amazing book. It is very entertaining, seriously written, and exposes the flaws in the bureaucracy and foreign policy that once existed..." Read more

"...There are some poignant and sometimes funny anecdotes in this book but it didn't flow for me as a cohesive story and that made it a very slow read." Read more

"Both entertaining and educational. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in foreign affairs in eastern Asia." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing poignant and funny. They say it makes them think a little bit differently and look at life from many different angles. Readers also mention the book is timeless, providing a dose of humility for American culture through a series of vignettes about Americans working.

"...Yet it remains timeless...." Read more

"...The book appears to be timeless. It is an easy read, but disturbing thesis. It is a real American Tragedy. I would recommend it to anyone.[..." Read more

"...It should be required reading for every American. It is timeless." Read more

"...This book is a real eye-opener and does not bash Americans, but only asks us to look at ourselves and take responsibility for our actions and..." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the book. They say it's a perfect purchasing experience.

"...] Amazon has a GREAT selection of used hardcover editions at reasonable prices. I'm addicted!" Read more

"Good Value - Used book used for a class" Read more

"...The price was right so I am a very happy camper." Read more

"Item was exactly as advertised and it arrived quickly. Perfect purchasing experience." Read more

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Kindle Customer

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

Have heard about this book for years and seen the old movies somewhat based on it,Finaly got around to reading it.Seems to hit the nail on the head when it gets to american politics and meddling into other peoples affairs.

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024

Works as described

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Must read now. Go get this. I know, it is hard to imagine a collection of short stories from the 1950's with the unlikely theme of diplomacy during the first IndoChina war. But most of the stories plots could have happened yesterday in the middle East. Or a decade _after_ the book was written. You will laugh, you will cry, you will want to shout out at the blind injustice of it all. After reading the book, I'm curious about the 1963 movie, but fear it cringeworthy.
Note I said the plots/themes are timeless, But... The writing style and depiction of social structure in America is firmly dated as mid-century. But there is a reason this book has remained in print over the decades. The theme and message are important. For those who have ears to hear.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

S. Burton

Interesting read

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

There were parts I really enjoyed and parts that seemed to drag on.

Helpful

Amazon Customer

An excellent read, and a remarkable learning experience

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

Undoubtedly, the most respectable and enjoyable book I have ever read. The book is easy to read through the use of capturing anecdotes and entertaining vignettes, while serving to demonstrate effective and meaningful messages. This book should be required reading for any individual who will be working or serving in any capacity which involves them representing the United States in a foreign context, or any individual who wants to better understand how we can improve our behavior abroad. This book is truly excellent, and just reading it and learning from it could be considered "a memorable experience." The reader becomes aware of what makes Americans ugly, and develop a nuance for how to effectively and diplomatically engage the world around us. Great read.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Graham

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

The Ugly American is a somewhat dated book, in that it is clearly cold war era. Yet it remains timeless. It is a blistering critique of the American foreign diplomatic corp who don't speak the local language, and aren't sensitive to local customs, and remain aloof to the locals and their true needs. Meanwhile the Soviet bloc countries are suave, sophisticated, sensitive, and thereby win the hearts and minds of the locals, just as the U.S. is trying vainly to do.
According to the Wikipedia article, the book caused a sensation in diplomatic circles, and JFK sent copies to everyone in the Senate.
The book is a great read, in part because of the examples of ordinary Americans who actually did go overseas and make a difference, each helping in their unspectacular but quiet way, to make a geniune difference.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Phil H

The Ugly American

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2009

Verified Purchase

I read this book 45 years ago while serving in the USAF in Berlin, Germany. It is as poignant & relevant now, as it was then - probably more so today. It is easy to be uncomfortable with the view presented, but having been in Europe a number of times, unfortunately the indictment is well deserved and earned by many visiting Americans. At times I was embarrassed to admit to being an American having witnessed obnoxious & shameful situations created by our fellow citizens. The book appears to be timeless. It is an easy read, but disturbing thesis. It is a real American Tragedy. I would recommend it to anyone.
The Ugly American Amazon has a GREAT selection of used hardcover editions at reasonable prices. I'm addicted!

5 people found this helpful

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John Kershner

Very bland, archaic & mundane

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2022

Verified Purchase

I had heard about this book many years ago. There was even a movie made about it, starring Marlon Brando. Burdock & Lederer make a mockery of U.S. policy & conduct in SE Asia during the time period covered in this novel, but nothing of any substance occurs in this work to capture the reader’s interest. It was boring and totally superficial. I thought it was a complete waste of time to read.

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

katharina henggeler

THIS is the original book.

Reviewed in Germany on October 11, 2021

Verified Purchase

The book is absolutely fantastic. I just wonder why not much has been learned since 1958 when it was first published.

BE AWARE OF ANOTHER BOOK WITH THIS TITLE. THAT IS ABUSIVE. I'M GLAD TO HAVE RETURNED IT TO AMAZON.

RaulSosa

The best bestseller from it's generation

Reviewed in Mexico on March 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

A great Book about the foreign policy of the us in South Asia

荒木　雄介

It fits to our present time. even it was issued 60 years ago.

Reviewed in Japan on February 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book was definitely interesting for me! So, I'd forgotten how long time has passed when I was reading this material. What the author insisted on this work is really suitable for our present time,especially politics and economics and communication with nations wide.

MRMLEM

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on December 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

Excellent book. Dated but still current. The USA is not about to learn from past mistakes!

M.M.Bhalla

It is perhaps the best political book so near reality

Reviewed in India on November 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

It is perhaps the best political book so near reality. This is how the policies of the East are much more effective than those of the West.