First published 2002
Roger Rosenblatt brings three decades of journalistic experience to bear on America's fundamental character. The prize-winning commentator argues that Americans have spent recent decades insulated by prosperity and influence, disconnected from historical forces. September 11 created an opportunity for national reflection about core principles and future direction. Rosenblatt contends that American society has drifted from its founding idealism. Through thirty essays combining wit with serious analysis, he identifies the political and moral foundations that define the nation. The author presents American justice and democratic institutions not merely as national assets but as benchmarks for civilizational achievement. Rosenblatt offers both reassurance and challenge to readers navigating uncertain times, emphasizing that rediscovering founding values provides a path forward.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: challenging, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: 21st Century
128 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt