The Scrutinator

Today's Recommended Read is Hating America, by Bruce Bawer. Bawer, an American living in Europe for some time, has come full-circle on his view of America, Western Europe, and the world's opinion of America. He brings his perspective to bear on a spectrum of opinions:

• Mark Hertsgaard's The Eagle's Shadow: Why America Fascinates and Infuriates the World
• Will Hutton's A Declaration of Interdependence: Why America Should Join the World
• Clyde Prestowitz' Rogue Nation
• Jedediah Purdy's Being America
• Richard Crockatt's America Embattled: September 11, Anti-Americanism and the Global Order
• Dinesh D’Souza's What’s So Great about America
• Robert Kagan's Of Paradise and Power
• François Revel’s Anti-Americanism (L’obsession anti-américaine)

Bawer's (very, very long) article is a necessary read for his perspective, even if you (like me) have no plans to read the books he reviews.

By The Scrutinator @ 3:34 PM