Synopses & Reviews
Original perspectives on how the world sees America, from leading international writers and intellectuals.Since 9/11, the United States has managed to squander the world's sympathy. As the wreckage of the Twin Towers smoldered, even our bitterest enemies rallied to our side. But in just six years, our aggressive foreign policythe war in Iraq, the threat of unilateral military action against Iran, our willingness to ignore the UNhas turned our allies, new and old, away from us.
"Know thyself" is a difficult injunction to follow, and often requires the insights of others. To gain some perspective, How They See Us features fifteen writers and intellectuals from around the globe, reflecting on America from their own viewpoints: Terry Eagleton of England, Tom Segev of Israel, Fintan O'Toole of Ireland, Da Chen of China, Uzma Aslam Khan of Pakistan, György Dragomán of Hungary, and many more. No consensus from the left, the book celebrates a diverse set of vantage points and voices. These insightful essays constitute a primer of international literature, an aid to self-criticism, and, more frequently than one might expect, an invitation to celebrate our national virtues.
Synopsis
A superpower without parallel since the British Empire, the United States is a source of incessant fascination to the rest of the world. Absurdly rich, alarmingly volatile, we inspire both fear and envy. Just as our aggressive foreign policy has turned our allies against us, the rise of Barack Obama is now seen as our salvation. 9/11, the world historical event that "changed everything," has been superseded by 11/4, the date of his election to the presidency of the United States. Through it all, "America" remains a phenomenon, a myth, the wonder of the world.
"Know thyself" is a difficult injunction to follow and often requires the insights of others. To gain some perspective, How They See Us features writers and intellectuals from around the globe. These trenchant essays constitute a primer of international literature, an aid to self-criticism, and an invitation to celebrate our national virtues.
Synopsis
Americans live in a pre-Copernican universe: we think the world revolves around us. Seventeen writers from abroad offer a fresh perspective.
About the Author
James Atlas is the president of Atlas & Co. and founder of the Penguin Lives series. His numerous books include Bellow: A Biography, Delmore Schwartz: The Life of an American Poet and the memoir My Life in the Middle Ages. He lives in New York City.