American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture

by Maryanne Kearny Datesman, JoAnn Crandall, Edward N. Kearny

As the cultural diversity of the United States continues to increase, the issues surrounding multiculturalism continue to be of great importance. With updates throughout and a fresh, new design, the fourth edition of 'American Ways' retains its values-based perspective in examining what makes the US unique - and how traditional values influence various aspects of American life such as religion, business, government, race relations, education, recreation, and family.

Genres: American

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 1996

Reviews

[Maud · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read but not really exciting.

[Clock Kingdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the textbook for the course An Introduction to American Culture when I was a college student. It is a shame that I only finish it years later.

Being a book for undergraduates, American Ways is a very clear book, using only a few difficult words: I finished it in two half-days (skipped all the exercises). The organization of the content is also clear. After stating six traditional American values and beliefs -- individual freedom and self-reliance, equality of opportunity and competition, material wealth and hard work -- it further illustrates how these beliefs have formed from American's inception, and then how the modern American society embodies these beliefs, in business, politics, ethnics, education, leisure and family. As of the content, since I have little observation and experience of American society, I better say nothing at this time.

This is a great book for a brief view of the American society and culture. I would recommend it to those who want to know about America.

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro lo leí, resumí y estudié para la materia "vida e instituciones de GB y EEUU". Si bien hay muchos puntos que me parecieron interesantes, desde las corrientes migratorias, o los valores en los que está fundada su estructura, hasta el método de elección de presidentes, hay muchas red flags.

A la historia siempre dicen que hay que tomarla de quien la cuenta, que siempre verifiques la ideología de los autores y leas la contraparte para hacerte una idea aproximada sobre la realidad. En este caso, lo veo sumamente necesario, porque, si bien hay partes específicas en que los autores se "quejan" de su sistema e historia, hay otros donde se embellecen DEMASIADO. Entiendo que corras con el deber patriótico de hacer ver hermoso a tu país, pero acá se extralimitaron.

Una cuestión reiterada incontables veces fue el de los 6 valores fundamentales y esenciales de los estadounidenses. A ver, tiene algo de honrra y heroísmo cuando se empiezan a tener en cuenta en la sociedad, pero vos, Martha y yo sabemos que no rigen al pie de la letra. Mucho menos la igualdad de oportunidades de la que hablan. Hay momentos donde ellos mismos indagan en ese tema, pero lo tratan por encima, superficialmente y sin dejar dicho absolutamente nada.

Esta bien que quieras a tu país, pero tomate un poquito más en serio la profesión y trae un libro de hisotira que sea más realista, no esta ficción histórica con dejes de grandeza.

[Bo Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book.
1. it provides lots of essentials of American culture.
2. it is written for foreigners.
3. It is written to teach not to study. I enjoy the pre-reading and after reading questions which provide guidelines and feedback.
4. The authors give instructions on how to effectively read a book in general and apply the instructions in the questions.
I hope we have a book on Chinese culture like this one.
Let me list the 6 most cherished values here, freedom and self-reliance, equality of opportunity and competition, material wealth and hard work. All the values can be traced back to the early times when the continent is being developed. Self-reliance is an unavoidable result of freedom. So it applies to the other 4 values. At first, I was surprised to learn that Americans put much emphasis on the value of competition. But on the second thought, I found competition is fierce and everywhere. Students all compete for scholarships. Principal investigators compete for research grants. Athletics compete for the medals. This makes me think that in my life I always suppress the idea of competition and wonder how it has influenced the past experiences.

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a coursebook for American Culture 101. I loved the fact that it was made up of numbered paragraphs. The lecturer was able to let us know about the important paragraphs. I loved the Before You Read and After You Read parts. It included vocabulary, essay writing, skill building, true-false questions, choosing the right option, etc. I found it very helpful.

[Sarah Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the textbook I’ll be using for my upcoming course about education and culture. I loved the perspective of seeing American culture from an outsider’s view, and I look forward to discussing it with my class in our own evaluations of our cultures and of what they’re made of.

[Raymondo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the 4th ed. Not as biased as you would expect. Really easy to read and great for students.

[Lena Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great textbook for helping people understand the American culture, whether you are or aren’t American.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book as a tutor of English and find it invaluable for giving foreign students an idea of why America is the way it is. The book broaches negative elements of American culture and history but does not cover them in any depth. It does suggest the origins of the current contentious political environment without making judgements. Each chapter has questions that confirm the student's understanding of the vocabulary and content. I recommend this only for students at the upper intermediate level.

[Mohammed Asiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had made a reviewing for this book, but I don't know where that is gone. Anyway, I try to write it down again and remember every thing as possible as I can.

First of all this book incredibly fantastic and valuable and meaningful. It takes all readers overview what is American Culture exactly is. The most important point in this book is that American culture is based on two things: (individual freedom & independence ). And it shows you how this value works with their lives: education, politician, economic and business, gender roles and family frames.
The interesting thing is that I read and discuss it with my smart classmates and teacher who is free and open mind which is enable us to against some points in American culture.
This book is not only book about American culture but it is good to start reading in American culture . Good luck

[Ayman Mouhcine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book

It is good for anyone who wants to know the culture of Americans, their history, their principles in life..etc