ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- If, like me, you find the current state of the US political landscape a baffling and worrying enigma then Nick Bryant's survey of American history will put a lot of the puzzle pieces into place. Instead of coming from a viewpoint of America as a story of progress from lawless beginnings to shining beacon of democracy, Bryant reveals the violence and political unrest that underlie America today, rather than being a new and disturbing occurrence, are tightly woven into the country's fabric. Same as it ever was. Working through aspects such as the Constitution, race, the Supreme Court, and gun control, the ebb and flow is apparent. The takeaway is that America will therefore just go on being America, lurching left and right, in an abusive relationship with itself. Both fascinating and disturbing. Craig
Nick Bryant is one of the BBC's most trusted and senior foreign correspondents. He has been posted in Washington, South Asia, Australia and, most recently, New York. He is a regular contributor to several Australian magazines and newspapers, including The Australian, The Spectator and The Monthly. Nick studied history at Cambridge and has a doctorate in American politics from Oxford. He now lives in New York City with his wife and children.
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- If, like me, you find the current state of the US political landscape a baffling and worrying enigma then Nick Bryant's survey of American history will put a lot of the puzzle pieces into place. Instead of coming from a viewpoint of America as a story of progress from lawless beginnings to shining beacon of democracy, Bryant reveals the violence and political unrest that underlie America today, rather than being a new and disturbing occurrence, are tightly woven into the country's fabric. Same as it ever was. Working through aspects such as the Constitution, race, the Supreme Court, and gun control, the ebb and flow is apparent. The takeaway is that America will therefore just go on being America, lurching left and right, in an abusive relationship with itself. Both fascinating and disturbing. Craig