First published 1954
Jacques Barzun turns his analytical eye toward mid-century America in this cultural examination. The historian and critic explores what defines American identity during the postwar boom. He considers the nation's institutions, social customs, and intellectual life. Barzun weighs American pragmatism against European traditions. He examines education, politics, and popular culture with the perspective of a French-born scholar who became an American citizen. The book reflects on democracy's strengths and weaknesses. Barzun argues for America's unique contributions to civilization while acknowledging its contradictions. His analysis spans from small-town values to big-city ambitions, from academic halls to Main Street businesses. The work offers both appreciation and gentle critique of a nation finding its place as a global power.
Genres: 20th-century, american, cultural, academic, cultural-studies, american-history
Vibes: intimate, reflective, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-critique, fish-out-of-water
Setting: America, Europe
Period: Postwar, Mid-Century
344 pages · Hardcover · Praeger Pub Text