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• ‘The book of the year’ Will Hutton
• ‘Splendid … a serious political work, which borders on being a revolutionary’s manifesto.’ Time
• ‘Both Blair and Hague would do well to read it’ George Walden
• ‘As an example of its genre, Bring Home the Revolution is perfect’ Evening Standard
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On a switchback ride through the USA, riding pillion with America’s founding fathers, Jonathan Freedland searches out the qualities that made America the land at the end of his childhood rainbow, the place his grandfather and he conspired to run off to because of its open promise and unbounded potential.
Noisy, crass, greedy, riddled with crime, riven by race, obsessed by money: America, exporter of junk to the UK. Or is it?
From Lesbianville in New Hampshire to Tent City in Arizona, from the high kitsch celebration of Liberace to the Bible Belt austerity of Iowa, from the paranoid militia of rural Montana to Florida’s Condo Canyon, this is a journey to the heart of modern America – to Normal, Illinois.
On his travels Freedland reveals how Americans control of their own lives, shape their own communities and vibrantly assert their rights. And there’s even a twist: the spirit that inspires the American secret is actually our own – a British revolutionary fervour mislaid across the Atlantic.
This what has made America the diverse, freedom-loving, self-sufficient, independent icon to the world: the place where socialism never took hold because it is inherent in the founding vision, where capitalism at the same time has reached its apogee; where many cultures contribute to the national fabric and yet the sense of belonging to the nation and reverence for its symbols is unmatched across the globe. It’s time Britain shared the vitality: time to reclaim the revolution and bring it home.
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Even if you are a dyed in the wool monarchist, you should read this book, if for no other reason than it is a fascinating exploration of how notions of community and patriotism have remained an everpresent aspect of American life and why our country lacks both. It is also brings to light the true nature of some of Britain's best 'institutions', exposing how much of our Anti-americanism is rooted in snobbery and regret.
It also brings to light just how little this country has acted as a positive force for change, showing how even venerated figures like the economist John Maynard Keynes were prone to fascist sentiment when it came to those less fortunate than himself. If our country can not only tolerate such figures but retain a cadre of people who worship at their altar, then we need people like mr Freedland to provide us with some hope for the future.
Freedland's main argument is that whilst the two Goverments in USA and Great Britain face the same challenges and issues, it is the way that they reach a conclusion that is fundamentaly different and one which has repercussions on society as a whole.
The aim of the book is twofold. Firstly it strikes home that in Great Britain, we are essentially living in an elected dictatorship, with a show of power by the people once every four or five years when the present Government dissolves and a general election is called. Power is devolved from the top down, with the general electorate left with practically no influence over policy and a benign Goverment deciding what is or isn't in our interest. Whether the ruling party is Labour or Tory makes no difference. the mechanics of Government turn in the sme way.
Secondly, Freedland suggests ways in which the American model could be transposed and work within the existing framework. the emphasis is on devolved power to a local level, dealing with issues or concerns at a grass roots level, more in tune and in touch within the community it affects, whilst still retaining an overall central system to manage affairs of national importance. In this way, local authorities would not be unduly restrained by London and would be able to respond to individual requirements.
This book provides a hope for the dissillusioned, for those who have lost faith in all politicians. It should be given to all members of the house of commons, if only to remind them that they are elected to serve their constituencies.
Next time a politician turns up on your doorstep to canvass for your vote, give him this book.
Well, I now have a better understanding of why Americans live and think the way they... Read more
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