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Erasing America: Losing Our Future by Destroying Our Past
President Lincoln said a house divided against itself cannot stand. In these days of increasing national disunity, America's history offers inspiring stories of hope and optimism that can heal our country's wounds and promote a unified future of peace and prosperity.
360 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 29, 2019
All history is subjective because people write it using their own biases, no matter how hard they try to be objective. And all countries have national narratives that unite their citizens so that they view themselves as a single nation. As an historian, these narratives are what made me interested in James S. Robbins’ Erasing America: Losing Our Future by Destroying Our Past.
Robbins’ main concern is that, in George Orwell’s words, “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” Robbins argues that members of America’s political left are trying to control America’s future by destroying past traditions that have united Americans for generations. These people are replacing the traditions with interpretations that “break our national unity” because they consider the older narratives offensive. They also reject other groups’ interpretations of the same events, which causes divisiveness by not allowing for alternate views, even if the views are based on solid evidence.
Robbins’ concerns include football players kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner, dispensing with the pledging the flag, erasing America’s borders, and removing information about white Americans from public school curricula.
Robbins strongly objects to the current trend of pulling down Confederate statues, condemning Confederate soldiers as “traitors,” and trying to erase one half of the cataclysmic event that determined that America was, indeed, a single nation instead of a voluntary union of individual states. He maintains that slavery was one, but not the only, issue involved in the Civil War. He also argues that people on the left don’t care that most Confederate and Union soldiers considered one another Americans or that for decades after the war veterans from both sides had reunions together to reminisce about their experiences and battles. Or that Robert E. Lee, like many Confederates, was torn about which claimed his loyalty: state or country. Instead, he argues that these critics want to remove all mention and symbols of the Confederate part of what the North calls the “Civil War” and the South calls the “War of Northern Aggression.”
The political left, Robins maintains, also is conducting a “war on Christmas.” In an attempt to be inclusive, they are deliberately removing Christmas from the Christmas season because only Christian Americans celebrate it. They condemn President Trump for wishing American troops a “very, very, Merry Christmas” and for “transforming Christmas into a political statement.” In addition, they also condemn a lot of Christmas carols and songs, such as Baby It’s Cold Outside and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as being sexist, racist, or inappropriate.
America has always been a melting pot. And, personally, I think there’s room to create a national narrative that recognizes multiple values and points of view – including slavery, rebellion, holidays, and America’s multi-cultural heritage – because they existed together and made America the country it is today. If not, we’ll become an even more divided nation than we already are.
All in all, Erasing America is an important book on a timely topic that divides Americans. The sides are drawn and locked in mortal combat. It will be interesting to see which ultimately gets to pencil in our future by wielding the eraser on our past.
Robbins’ main concern is that, in George Orwell’s words, “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” Robbins argues that members of America’s political left are trying to control America’s future by destroying past traditions that have united Americans for generations. These people are replacing the traditions with interpretations that “break our national unity” because they consider the older narratives offensive. They also reject other groups’ interpretations of the same events, which causes divisiveness by not allowing for alternate views, even if the views are based on solid evidence.
Robbins’ concerns include football players kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner, dispensing with the pledging the flag, erasing America’s borders, and removing information about white Americans from public school curricula.
Robbins strongly objects to the current trend of pulling down Confederate statues, condemning Confederate soldiers as “traitors,” and trying to erase one half of the cataclysmic event that determined that America was, indeed, a single nation instead of a voluntary union of individual states. He maintains that slavery was one, but not the only, issue involved in the Civil War. He also argues that people on the left don’t care that most Confederate and Union soldiers considered one another Americans or that for decades after the war veterans from both sides had reunions together to reminisce about their experiences and battles. Or that Robert E. Lee, like many Confederates, was torn about which claimed his loyalty: state or country. Instead, he argues that these critics want to remove all mention and symbols of the Confederate part of what the North calls the “Civil War” and the South calls the “War of Northern Aggression.”
The political left, Robins maintains, also is conducting a “war on Christmas.” In an attempt to be inclusive, they are deliberately removing Christmas from the Christmas season because only Christian Americans celebrate it. They condemn President Trump for wishing American troops a “very, very, Merry Christmas” and for “transforming Christmas into a political statement.” In addition, they also condemn a lot of Christmas carols and songs, such as Baby It’s Cold Outside and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as being sexist, racist, or inappropriate.
America has always been a melting pot. And, personally, I think there’s room to create a national narrative that recognizes multiple values and points of view – including slavery, rebellion, holidays, and America’s multi-cultural heritage – because they existed together and made America the country it is today. If not, we’ll become an even more divided nation than we already are.
All in all, Erasing America is an important book on a timely topic that divides Americans. The sides are drawn and locked in mortal combat. It will be interesting to see which ultimately gets to pencil in our future by wielding the eraser on our past.
November 28, 2018
Must read. A Lesson Plan to teach HS Civics
I would recommend the book to any young person who has been programmed and indoctrinated with animus toward our country; especially our foundations and history. Don't be surprised if you are enlightened with a positive attitude about this country.
I would recommend the book to any young person who has been programmed and indoctrinated with animus toward our country; especially our foundations and history. Don't be surprised if you are enlightened with a positive attitude about this country.
January 12, 2021
This book was a great read. Even though the content is disturbing. We have become a society of cancel and mob rule. Gone are the days of the 1st, 2nd and 4th amendments. The only speech allowed is the speech de’jour based on a small group of very loud instigating terrorist that use fear of cancel, boycott etc to bludgeon everyone to think and act like them.
Although I finished this book 2 weeks ago, we are a week past the Capitol “take over”. Although I disagree with violence, it’s funny how the “defund the police” advocates immediately called the police. The “anti-National Guard” were caliing for National Guard. Those that attacked and labeled people who used the word “mob” to describe the BLM and ANTIFA riots, looting and destruction where now eager to use it. Every left wing (redundant statement) media outlet used “mob”.
Now we see the power of big tech. The infringement of the first amendment is unprecedented. It is such a dangerous move by the media companies. Even countries with awful human rights records are calling tech companies out. It makes me wonder what they think he is going to say. Why are they so scared?
At any rate, this book goes over the insanity that has become the new norm. If we don’t get back to a semblance of sanity, we will have a tyrannical government by the end of 2021, if not sooner.
Although I finished this book 2 weeks ago, we are a week past the Capitol “take over”. Although I disagree with violence, it’s funny how the “defund the police” advocates immediately called the police. The “anti-National Guard” were caliing for National Guard. Those that attacked and labeled people who used the word “mob” to describe the BLM and ANTIFA riots, looting and destruction where now eager to use it. Every left wing (redundant statement) media outlet used “mob”.
Now we see the power of big tech. The infringement of the first amendment is unprecedented. It is such a dangerous move by the media companies. Even countries with awful human rights records are calling tech companies out. It makes me wonder what they think he is going to say. Why are they so scared?
At any rate, this book goes over the insanity that has become the new norm. If we don’t get back to a semblance of sanity, we will have a tyrannical government by the end of 2021, if not sooner.
September 1, 2018
well-researched and well-written book. Thought provoking.
January 21, 2019
In a mere word: riveting.
This remarkably compelling book by Dr. Robbins shines the spotlight on the inimical influence and unfortunate shift of progressive ideology in today's political world as well as in American society in general. The book makes its case quite solidly and cogently on how the politically correct progressives - touted as being so tolerant are really, paradoxically, intolerant - are hellbent on erasing America by destroying our foundation, ideals, values, and history to promote its own destructive and iconoclastic agenda.
Citing George Orwell's famous novel, "1984" as a prelude to most of his chapters, Dr. Robbins drives home the resonating message that what is happening to our country (and has been happening to our country for decades) is not just simply fiction, but rather an eerie and ominous harbinger. He highlights, among other things, the progressive necessity to try change the past by sanitizing it instead of learning from it. As the book advances from chapter to chapter, the message is abundantly clear and eye-opening: the progressive movement will stop at nothing to alter America for its own (mis)direction while shaming people who refuse to go along with their narrative by labeling them as enablers, or worst, enemies.
And we wonder why incivility, acrimony, and adversarial division is so prominent today.
The disgustingly absurd notion of removing statutes of our Founding Fathers, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, is one of many jaw-dropping ideas that the book mentions.
It doesn't stop there. Not even close. There are many more stunningly asinine progressive ideas forewarned such as erasing border lines, the seemingly "hateful" Christmas songs such as "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" that some would like to ban, and on and on and on.
The author closes with optimism, though, by citing Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan and providing sobering insight and commentary in an effort to preserve our country's history from slowly vanishing.
I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is easily one of my favorite reads and it should be for you as well. The far-left progressive, P.C. culture and its divisive and destructive ways and beliefs described in this book so well by Dr. Robbins are so important to understand and be aware of that it is hands down a must-read for everyone. It's a shame we are limited to only rating books up to five stars since this one easily soars to the zenith score of 10+.
Although, if made possible, perhaps a score of 1,984 would be most apt.
This remarkably compelling book by Dr. Robbins shines the spotlight on the inimical influence and unfortunate shift of progressive ideology in today's political world as well as in American society in general. The book makes its case quite solidly and cogently on how the politically correct progressives - touted as being so tolerant are really, paradoxically, intolerant - are hellbent on erasing America by destroying our foundation, ideals, values, and history to promote its own destructive and iconoclastic agenda.
Citing George Orwell's famous novel, "1984" as a prelude to most of his chapters, Dr. Robbins drives home the resonating message that what is happening to our country (and has been happening to our country for decades) is not just simply fiction, but rather an eerie and ominous harbinger. He highlights, among other things, the progressive necessity to try change the past by sanitizing it instead of learning from it. As the book advances from chapter to chapter, the message is abundantly clear and eye-opening: the progressive movement will stop at nothing to alter America for its own (mis)direction while shaming people who refuse to go along with their narrative by labeling them as enablers, or worst, enemies.
And we wonder why incivility, acrimony, and adversarial division is so prominent today.
The disgustingly absurd notion of removing statutes of our Founding Fathers, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, is one of many jaw-dropping ideas that the book mentions.
It doesn't stop there. Not even close. There are many more stunningly asinine progressive ideas forewarned such as erasing border lines, the seemingly "hateful" Christmas songs such as "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" that some would like to ban, and on and on and on.
The author closes with optimism, though, by citing Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan and providing sobering insight and commentary in an effort to preserve our country's history from slowly vanishing.
I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is easily one of my favorite reads and it should be for you as well. The far-left progressive, P.C. culture and its divisive and destructive ways and beliefs described in this book so well by Dr. Robbins are so important to understand and be aware of that it is hands down a must-read for everyone. It's a shame we are limited to only rating books up to five stars since this one easily soars to the zenith score of 10+.
Although, if made possible, perhaps a score of 1,984 would be most apt.
March 18, 2019
Americans beware. Your running out of time. Excellent book and discussion of both sides of issues confronting America today.
June 24, 2024
Woodrow Wilson High School was opened in 1958 and named after the 28th President of the United States. Thereafter a variety of notables were graduated by the school: glass artist Dale Chihuly (1959), cornerback Marcus Trufant (1959), myself (1964), and serial killer Ted Bundy (1965). On 1 July 2021, the name of the high school was changed to Dr Dolores Silas High School. Dr Silas was the first Black woman to serve as a school administrator in the Tacoma School District, the first Black woman to serve as a member of the Tacoma City Council, and the president of the Tacoma Chapter of the NAACP. Proponents of the name change argued that Woodrow Wilson was a racist, promoted segregation, screened "Birth of a Nation" in the White House in 1915, supported the Ku Klux Klan, and was sympathetic to the Confederacy.
Richard Marsh wrote a mystery novel, "The Beetle," which was first published in London in 1897. Marsh (1857-1915) was the nom de plume of Richard Bernard Heldmann who wrote about eighty books, most of them in the genre of weird, strange, magical horror. "The Beetle" remained continuously in print until 1960. It was republished (sadly without the engraved illustrations from the first edition) by Compass Circle in 2020. This "new" edition contains the following bit of advice to the reader: "This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations as it would if it were written today."
James Robbins writes extensively about the number of public monuments, statues, and plaques which have been defaced or destroyed by politically-motivated vandals. The obvious targets include Christopher Columbus and George Washington. More unexpected are the following: Francis Scott Key, Mayor Frank Rizzo, Kit Carson, the Blessed Virgin Mary (decapitated and toppled), Hiawatha, Padre Junípero Serra, Avery Brundage, Theodore Roosevelt, The Pioneer Mother (Eugene, Oregon), Abraham Lincoln (!), an elk (Portland, Oregon), Jesus Christ (decapitated and toppled), Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, Sir Francis Drake, Mahatma Gandhi (sawn off at his ankles) and poet Walt Whitman.
English artist William Blake (1757-1827) engraved "Europe Supported By Africa and America" depicting three naked ladies: black, white, and Native American. The original is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum which advises "This object, or the text that describes it, is deemed offensive and discriminatory."
There are so many knotty Gordion questions. Should the name of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, be changed to "And University"? Should all episodes of "All In the Family" in which Archie Bunker refers to Jews as "Hebes" be erased? Should all three of the statues of Chief Sealth in Seattle be removed because he kidnapped women and children, and he kept slaves? Should Miramonte High School of Orinda, California, be made to change their nickname and mascot from "The Matadors" to something that does not involve killing animals for entertainment? Should all editions of Chinese Chequers be recalled until a name less potentially offensive to Sino-gamers is found? Should King Charles III order the British Army to cease calling the Irish Guards (of which he is a colonel) "the Micks" or "the Fighting Micks" as is common? Should the Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Company be required to rename Dixie® Cups (which they have been called since 1916)? Should Coachella Valley High School, of Coachella, California, be made to change their nickname and mascot from the "Mighty Arabs" to something else? Should the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club be compelled to rename their fraternity to a species of jokers not potentially offensive to Romani people? Should Bethany College, of Lindsborg, Kansas, give up the athletic team name "The Terrible Swedes" (which it has used since 1903) so as not to offend Nordic/Scandinavians?
It occurred to me, while reading Robbins provocative text, that fighting over symbols is as ubiquitous as it is ignorant. [This notion is not at all original to me. I am consciously indebted to Umberto Eco's short essay “The Crucifix, Its Uses and Customs” in his book "Turning Back The Clock" (2008).] The following thoughts crossed my fermenting mind. The US should repeal the National Anthem. In its place, silence should be kept for the one minute and fifty-six seconds it normally takes to sing the song, during which people may stand, sit, kneel, squat, or lie down and think about what they revere or despise improvisationally and privately. The US should abandon the national flag and replace it with a white flag on which is printed "THAT COUNTRY BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO." If it suits the various states, their flags ought to be replaced also with white flags on which the name of the state is printed, especially Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The US should repeal a great many of its holidays on the ground that they are divisive including Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, George Washington’s Birthday, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. In their place, Groundhog Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Arbor Day, Pi Day, Mother's Day, Fathers' Day, and Black Friday. There are doubtless corps of people lined up to be deeply offended by all of my suggestions. If their discontent is well founded, I propose yet another holiday which would be harder to oppose: the Feast of All Ethnicities. On this day, Greeks would eat Souvlaki and dance the hasapiko, Scots would eat haggis, washed down with Scotch whisky, while listening to the poetry of Robert Burns, Koreans would eat teokguk and japchae and play the board game yutnori, Brazilians would eat feijoada, drink caipirinha, and dance the samba, and Icelanders would eat kæstur hákarl (that horrific odorous rotten shark thing) and sing the rimur (Viking heroic ballad poetry somewhat similar to that written by Vogons).
This book will be pleasant reading for neither the Right nor the Left. Doubtless readers on either end of the political spectrum have left off reading it midway in anger and binned it, the remainder unread. Reading books with which I will disagree, at least in part, is good for me. It is certain that I am wrong about something and the opportunity to be corrected ought be created from time to time. If nothing else, it is a good exercise for building critical thinking skills. Joel Salatin wrote in "Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World" (2011), “Read things you're sure will disagree with your current thinking. If you're a die-hard anti-animal-eating person, read 'Meat'. If you're a die-hard global warming advocate, read Glenn Beck. If you're a Rush Limbaugh fan, read James W. Loewen's 'Lies My Teachers Told Me'. It'll do your mind good and get your heart rate up.”
Richard Marsh wrote a mystery novel, "The Beetle," which was first published in London in 1897. Marsh (1857-1915) was the nom de plume of Richard Bernard Heldmann who wrote about eighty books, most of them in the genre of weird, strange, magical horror. "The Beetle" remained continuously in print until 1960. It was republished (sadly without the engraved illustrations from the first edition) by Compass Circle in 2020. This "new" edition contains the following bit of advice to the reader: "This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations as it would if it were written today."
James Robbins writes extensively about the number of public monuments, statues, and plaques which have been defaced or destroyed by politically-motivated vandals. The obvious targets include Christopher Columbus and George Washington. More unexpected are the following: Francis Scott Key, Mayor Frank Rizzo, Kit Carson, the Blessed Virgin Mary (decapitated and toppled), Hiawatha, Padre Junípero Serra, Avery Brundage, Theodore Roosevelt, The Pioneer Mother (Eugene, Oregon), Abraham Lincoln (!), an elk (Portland, Oregon), Jesus Christ (decapitated and toppled), Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, Sir Francis Drake, Mahatma Gandhi (sawn off at his ankles) and poet Walt Whitman.
English artist William Blake (1757-1827) engraved "Europe Supported By Africa and America" depicting three naked ladies: black, white, and Native American. The original is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum which advises "This object, or the text that describes it, is deemed offensive and discriminatory."
There are so many knotty Gordion questions. Should the name of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, be changed to "And University"? Should all episodes of "All In the Family" in which Archie Bunker refers to Jews as "Hebes" be erased? Should all three of the statues of Chief Sealth in Seattle be removed because he kidnapped women and children, and he kept slaves? Should Miramonte High School of Orinda, California, be made to change their nickname and mascot from "The Matadors" to something that does not involve killing animals for entertainment? Should all editions of Chinese Chequers be recalled until a name less potentially offensive to Sino-gamers is found? Should King Charles III order the British Army to cease calling the Irish Guards (of which he is a colonel) "the Micks" or "the Fighting Micks" as is common? Should the Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Company be required to rename Dixie® Cups (which they have been called since 1916)? Should Coachella Valley High School, of Coachella, California, be made to change their nickname and mascot from the "Mighty Arabs" to something else? Should the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club be compelled to rename their fraternity to a species of jokers not potentially offensive to Romani people? Should Bethany College, of Lindsborg, Kansas, give up the athletic team name "The Terrible Swedes" (which it has used since 1903) so as not to offend Nordic/Scandinavians?
It occurred to me, while reading Robbins provocative text, that fighting over symbols is as ubiquitous as it is ignorant. [This notion is not at all original to me. I am consciously indebted to Umberto Eco's short essay “The Crucifix, Its Uses and Customs” in his book "Turning Back The Clock" (2008).] The following thoughts crossed my fermenting mind. The US should repeal the National Anthem. In its place, silence should be kept for the one minute and fifty-six seconds it normally takes to sing the song, during which people may stand, sit, kneel, squat, or lie down and think about what they revere or despise improvisationally and privately. The US should abandon the national flag and replace it with a white flag on which is printed "THAT COUNTRY BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO." If it suits the various states, their flags ought to be replaced also with white flags on which the name of the state is printed, especially Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The US should repeal a great many of its holidays on the ground that they are divisive including Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, George Washington’s Birthday, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. In their place, Groundhog Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Arbor Day, Pi Day, Mother's Day, Fathers' Day, and Black Friday. There are doubtless corps of people lined up to be deeply offended by all of my suggestions. If their discontent is well founded, I propose yet another holiday which would be harder to oppose: the Feast of All Ethnicities. On this day, Greeks would eat Souvlaki and dance the hasapiko, Scots would eat haggis, washed down with Scotch whisky, while listening to the poetry of Robert Burns, Koreans would eat teokguk and japchae and play the board game yutnori, Brazilians would eat feijoada, drink caipirinha, and dance the samba, and Icelanders would eat kæstur hákarl (that horrific odorous rotten shark thing) and sing the rimur (Viking heroic ballad poetry somewhat similar to that written by Vogons).
This book will be pleasant reading for neither the Right nor the Left. Doubtless readers on either end of the political spectrum have left off reading it midway in anger and binned it, the remainder unread. Reading books with which I will disagree, at least in part, is good for me. It is certain that I am wrong about something and the opportunity to be corrected ought be created from time to time. If nothing else, it is a good exercise for building critical thinking skills. Joel Salatin wrote in "Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World" (2011), “Read things you're sure will disagree with your current thinking. If you're a die-hard anti-animal-eating person, read 'Meat'. If you're a die-hard global warming advocate, read Glenn Beck. If you're a Rush Limbaugh fan, read James W. Loewen's 'Lies My Teachers Told Me'. It'll do your mind good and get your heart rate up.”
September 2, 2021
We live in an age when history seems to be trumped by ideology. Where this is most harmful is in American schools where students are fed hand selected narratives that fit a so-called "progressive" ideology.
"History" in American schools has become bastardized and is more akin to a Hollywood script instead of the unadulterated truth.
This book is shocking and it infuriated me. It is sad to see all that this nation has accomplished as far as race relations slowly slip away and destroyed by the very same people who claim to be the "warriors" for "social justice". Divisiveness and racial hatred is being brought into American schools. I'd hate to see what this nation will become if it continues.
I highly recommend all to read it, particularly educators.
"History" in American schools has become bastardized and is more akin to a Hollywood script instead of the unadulterated truth.
This book is shocking and it infuriated me. It is sad to see all that this nation has accomplished as far as race relations slowly slip away and destroyed by the very same people who claim to be the "warriors" for "social justice". Divisiveness and racial hatred is being brought into American schools. I'd hate to see what this nation will become if it continues.
I highly recommend all to read it, particularly educators.
October 16, 2018
Very sad state of affairs.
When the author collected all the anger, grievances and divisiveness in one place it gives a sense that the situation is hopeless. If every tradition, value and historical figure is a reason for offense and if people interpret every action as being racist, misogynist or homophobic, we are doomed. If some enemy wanted to destroy the US they’ve picked the right approach. Get us to commit suicide. Sadly, I think the political class in their lust for power and control has done this to us. I wish I knew how to turn it around
When the author collected all the anger, grievances and divisiveness in one place it gives a sense that the situation is hopeless. If every tradition, value and historical figure is a reason for offense and if people interpret every action as being racist, misogynist or homophobic, we are doomed. If some enemy wanted to destroy the US they’ve picked the right approach. Get us to commit suicide. Sadly, I think the political class in their lust for power and control has done this to us. I wish I knew how to turn it around
January 19, 2019
Blatant lies about what progressives believe. The author generalizes most on the left as believing such ideas as Lincoln was a racist slave holder. It’s possible some nuts believe that, but certainly not the mainstream progressive movement.
November 27, 2019
Very much an us against them kind of book. Chapters are all structured the same: Regurgitated news story after story after story and end with commentary. I think at one point in my life I would've eaten this up but as I've matured, I don't see much use for it except to raise blood pressure.
December 11, 2019
A friend recently sent me a five-minute video of James Robbins (the author of this book) talking about the degradation of American pride / values. I was compelled by the video, so, naturally, I looked him and his book up, and eventually grabbed a copy. I was really excited to see what he had to say.
In the end, unfortunately, I don't think it was all that much, and that makes me feel, well, disappointed. I was expecting a lot from this title, but walked away feeling like it didn't provide much more insight than the five-minute video did. To me, this book is essentially a rant, during which, the author recounts endless stories of violence, injustice, and the rewriting of history, spurred by political correctness, outrage culture, and the loss of American pride.
The problem with the book is not this stance itself. I think it's a very important one to talk about these days, especially since it's often overshadowed by fervent political correctness. The problem here is with the delivery and lack of depth. After I'd finished the first half of the book, I thought to myself, "Wow, it kind of seems like the author is just recounting stories and complaining. Hopefully he goes deeper and gets into conclusion and suggestion mode soon."
Unfortunately, for me, the book and author never really got there. Instead, what we get is story after story telling us how the degradation of American culture has spilled into sports, holidays, school, and the like. I know these stories are infuriating for a lot of people, but after a certain point, they feel like overkill.
For me, all of this recounting was just too repetitive, surface-level, and basic. I think most of us have heard these progressive horror stories before. What I'm more curious about is what we should make of them or what we should do in response to them. Sadly, the author spends little time answering such questions.
I guess you could say that I'm actually disappointed because I'm mostly on the author's side here. I'm annoyed with PC, cancel, and outrage culture as well. I think they've done more harm than good and have pulled Americans even further apart from one another. Yet, even being on his side, I can't help but feel like the author is mostly just complaining here.
All of that said, this book isn't terrible, by any means. It brings to light many injustices caused by a dwindling of American pride. The problem, in my mind, is that it actually provides too many examples without going deeper at any point. For an illustration of what I'm referring to / wanted this book to be like, take a look at "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff. It says just about everything this book should've.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of "Get Out of Your Head"
In the end, unfortunately, I don't think it was all that much, and that makes me feel, well, disappointed. I was expecting a lot from this title, but walked away feeling like it didn't provide much more insight than the five-minute video did. To me, this book is essentially a rant, during which, the author recounts endless stories of violence, injustice, and the rewriting of history, spurred by political correctness, outrage culture, and the loss of American pride.
The problem with the book is not this stance itself. I think it's a very important one to talk about these days, especially since it's often overshadowed by fervent political correctness. The problem here is with the delivery and lack of depth. After I'd finished the first half of the book, I thought to myself, "Wow, it kind of seems like the author is just recounting stories and complaining. Hopefully he goes deeper and gets into conclusion and suggestion mode soon."
Unfortunately, for me, the book and author never really got there. Instead, what we get is story after story telling us how the degradation of American culture has spilled into sports, holidays, school, and the like. I know these stories are infuriating for a lot of people, but after a certain point, they feel like overkill.
For me, all of this recounting was just too repetitive, surface-level, and basic. I think most of us have heard these progressive horror stories before. What I'm more curious about is what we should make of them or what we should do in response to them. Sadly, the author spends little time answering such questions.
I guess you could say that I'm actually disappointed because I'm mostly on the author's side here. I'm annoyed with PC, cancel, and outrage culture as well. I think they've done more harm than good and have pulled Americans even further apart from one another. Yet, even being on his side, I can't help but feel like the author is mostly just complaining here.
All of that said, this book isn't terrible, by any means. It brings to light many injustices caused by a dwindling of American pride. The problem, in my mind, is that it actually provides too many examples without going deeper at any point. For an illustration of what I'm referring to / wanted this book to be like, take a look at "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff. It says just about everything this book should've.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of "Get Out of Your Head"
June 29, 2021
This book was written in 2018 but really nails down the state of the US today, June 2020. It details the left’s agenda to erase America’s history in order to destroy our faith in the goodness of ourselves and this country. We are seeing it played out in the streets of our major cities. If we forget who we are, we will be more willing to let those who hate us control our future. Americans need to remember we have overcome challenges in the past and also spilled our blood to pay for our sins. In the words of RFK, we are a good and selfless people. We can’t forget that.
May 21, 2023
Interesting book. The left really is trying to erase history and rewriting it. What some people don’t realize is that is exactly how communist take over. They erase any history. They implement censorship and these are the same things Biden is doing. He is bought by China. And he wants to be a communist dictator. He even weaponized the FBI and DOJ to enforce his communism.
March 4, 2021
Though written a few years ago, this book continues to be timely and relevant in today's socially and politically charged climate where our nation's past is slowly being removed because of a few who are uncomfortable with our history, who look for the worst in others and believe that overshadows the good. The actions from our past weren't always the noblest or honorific, but that shouldn't take away from the ideals to which our nation's founders, and subsequent generations, were striving toward. Learn about our history, remember it. What if, generations from now, people start erasing what today's generation has done because they ignored the good and focused on the worst parts of who we are or what we did?
October 11, 2021
The back cover of my book’s copy that I read classifies the book as “Current Events / Politics”; a more appropriate classification is “Dystopian Non Fiction”. There were many opportunités for James Robbins to dive deep into today’s topics that seem to be attributing to our disenfranchised and polarized public; however, he chose to keep the narrative on the surface like all the talking-heads in today’s mainstream media and contribute to the polarizing conversations. An opportunity lost. The only good side is that I borrowed the book from my local library, and it won’t stay on my personal bookshelf.
March 21, 2020
LOTS OF INFORMATION AND EXAMPLES ON WHERE THINGS OUR GOING WRONG IN OUR COUNTRY - A SOLEMN AND ALARMINGLY PERTINENT WARNING THAT THINGS MAY LEAD TO A "CIVIL" WAR UNLESS THE TIDE TURNS IN THE NEAR FUTURE; HIGHLIGHTED BY TRUMP'S VICTORY IN 2016 THAT NOISE AND RHETORIC HAS INCREASED AND THE DIVIDE HAS WIDEN TO HISTORIC LEVELS NOT UNLIKE WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR; HARD TO READ, MAKES YOU MAD AND UNHAPPY AND FEELING HELPNESS TO BOOT IS WHY I GAVE IT A LOWER RATING.
April 11, 2021
Good review of the state of the culture. Of course, I cannot help but view the book thru the prism of my everyday observations. For example, the 19 year old that calls the police when he has a flat tire on a sunny Tuesday afternoon has absolutely no business throwing paint on a statute of Christopher Columbus, who could not call triple AAA or locals law enforcement if he had a problem crossing the Atlantic. Anxiety has absolutely no business trying to pass judgement on courage.
August 30, 2022
This is a wonderful book which reminds us all the value to the future of our country of learning and remembering its past. We are fast approaching a rabbit hole from whence we cannot escape and with it the experiment which was the United States of America (with all its good and bad) will be finished. The reality is that this country has done so much more good than it has done bad that we must teach our youth the history or we will all be doomed.
October 9, 2019
Historical Presentism, Cultural Terrorism, and Historical Revisionism. All three are insidious tools of the increasingly active secular progressive movement, and all three must be actively opposed. Robbins book is an excellent expose and should be required reading in all civics classes.
October 29, 2019
Thorough listing of recent efforts to erase history (1984 style) in America. Gets kind of depressing once all collected in one place. I look forward to erasing history of snowflakes and liberals who hate America.
March 3, 2020
Descent overview of the attempt by the left (not liberals) to "fundamentally transform" the USA. I was hoping for more historical analysis.
May 9, 2021
A rundown of US history that some want to erase. The comparisons of what we are seeing today to what we went through in the past is amazing.
February 10, 2022
America is number one, all others are number THREE or lower.
January 21, 2023
Important material but already familiar to me. I’d recommend to anyone who is not aware of what’s occurring in our society
February 10, 2023
This should be required reading for every person under 40 in America!
August 6, 2020
Freedom is one generation away from extinction ~Ronald Regan
This has never been more true! The book takes you through history, the real history, of our great nation. The trials, tribulations, growths, hardships are all presented as well has the attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, teachings that is taking us to the future and how it could possibly be our own demise. A MUST read! This will keep you “woke.”
This has never been more true! The book takes you through history, the real history, of our great nation. The trials, tribulations, growths, hardships are all presented as well has the attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, teachings that is taking us to the future and how it could possibly be our own demise. A MUST read! This will keep you “woke.”
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