Tavis Smiley Interview
To here the interview with Tavis Smiley of Public Radio International about the book, click here.
Book details ‘The Dangerous Delusion of American Exceptionalism’
The Dangerous Delusion of American Exceptionalism calls into question the guiding historical narrative of the United States.
I took a look at our foundational institutions and guiding principles and then subjected them to what disaster preparedness officials call a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis. Even though these institutions and principles are largely failing us, we insist on holding on to the notion of “American Exceptionalism.” Well, such a concept might fit our national narrative, especially when we live in a time when there are so many threats to peace, but the simple truth is that we are anything but exceptional. The sooner we acknowledge this, the sooner we will get serious about solving our many challenges.
I begin by recounting – and recanting – my own misguided nationalism. I also: analyze the data that proves that we are failing at the fundamentals; point to the volatile mixture of ignorance, incivility and intolerance; argue that No Child Left Behind has really left all children behind; claim that corporate employees are nothing more than a line on a spreadsheet; explore the danger of religious skullduggery; reveal the disastrous consequences of abandoning conservation as public policy; and, review the ongoing danger of our militaristic foreign policy.
Order a Copy
The Dangerous Delusion of American Exceptionalism retails at $7.99. Order it by sending an email to mbarrick@charter.net or by visiting you local book store.
