The American Future: A History
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Review
"His historical narrative is excellent. . . . [Schama] writes beautifully about Americans of the past."--Miami Herald
Review
A more inspiring evocation of the spirit of liberal America - past, present and future - does not exist'
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having recently read David Reynold's excellent America: Empire of Liberty and Paul Johnson's comprehensive History of the American People - I did not think there was that much anyone could add. But Simon Schama's immense skill as a writer and historian suffuses the subject with freshness and originality. Weaving lived histories with significant events in American history - Schama breathes life into the characters and events, analysing momentus occasions and adding his own considerable insights into a subject he cleary has consummate knowledge of.
Familiar events such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement are viewed through the lived histories of characters that were there to witness history unfolding - and Schama brilliantly uses letters and diaries to create a real sense of immanence and urgency - rather than just rehashing other historical accounts.
The causes and effects of these epoch changing events, clearly illustrate how America has been shaped - and Schama frequently jumps to the present to address issues that have been ongoing problems in the country - such as immigration. A question he puts to George W Bush at a Downing Street dinner. That is the strength of this book and the main difference between Schama's work and the others. It is not a linear historical narrative - sometimes the writing has the kind of authority of a witness to the events, and at times reads like a novel.
I think Schama's book is written in a very immaginative way that few writers would have dared attempt - moving backwards and forwards through history and the present. But this style allows you to view the history from a different perspective. I highly recommend The American Future.America, Empire of Liberty: A New HistoryHistory of the American PeopleDivine Magnetic Lands: A Journey in AmericaMade in AmericaThe First Salute: View of the American Revolution
Familiar events such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement are viewed through the lived histories of characters that were there to witness history unfolding - and Schama brilliantly uses letters and diaries to create a real sense of immanence and urgency - rather than just rehashing other historical accounts.
The causes and effects of these epoch changing events, clearly illustrate how America has been shaped - and Schama frequently jumps to the present to address issues that have been ongoing problems in the country - such as immigration. A question he puts to George W Bush at a Downing Street dinner. That is the strength of this book and the main difference between Schama's work and the others. It is not a linear historical narrative - sometimes the writing has the kind of authority of a witness to the events, and at times reads like a novel.
I think Schama's book is written in a very immaginative way that few writers would have dared attempt - moving backwards and forwards through history and the present. But this style allows you to view the history from a different perspective. I highly recommend The American Future.America, Empire of Liberty: A New HistoryHistory of the American PeopleDivine Magnetic Lands: A Journey in AmericaMade in AmericaThe First Salute: View of the American Revolution
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let me say to begin with that this book is not in anyway a history of the United States-how could it be at less than 400 pages? However, don't let that put you off-what Schama has done here is to offer a history of American ideas especially those enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The real theme here is how Americans have lived up to those promises and when they have not. However, what makes Schama's account particularly refreshing is his marshalling of evidence to demonstrate the enduring power of these founding principles: whilst the obvious American betrayals are here of the Native indians, African Americans in the South or Chinese railway labourers they are effectively balanced by the stories of Montgomery Miegs the uncorruptable American soldier who regarded his duty as the defence of the constitution or examples of the rich diversity of worship which thrives under the guarantees of religious toleration which were a cornerstone of the Founding Father's concept of liberty. Schama is very much the micro-historian in this book deploying well-chosen personal lifestories to make the broader point-it works much better than some generalising narrative-being both highly readable and often genuinely informative. These personal perspectives are interspersed with sketches from the 2008 Presidential Election Campaign where Schama unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve, seeing it as the moment when Obama had to triumph to restore faith not in America, but in its guiding principles and values. Of course, not everyone will share this view, but I recommend this book wholeheartedly to all, but especially to Americans of all political views and Europeans who have indulged in America bashing to excess. America's future Schama's stimulating account reminds us, has a much stronger underpinning of principle than that of many countries who despise it.
76 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is for those of you who like history as a sweep of events and with interlocking sections that you have to piece together to get your overall picture. Although this makes reference to the current election I think its only because I think the author sees the two candidates as potentially the Hamilton and Jefferson characters of this age - one quite happy to use American military strength and the other very sey against it. And its this split in the US approach that the four sections of the book address. The four sections cover war, religion , what is an american, and the belief you can have it all if you just try hard enough and while I don;t think you get a full final view I think the observation at the end that the role of government is about making people happy and not to destroy life is hard to argue with.
Apart from the violence of the Civil War which had some horrific parts what these sections bring to vivid life in the internal violence in US history , the programs against the Cherokee, the violence and hatred against the black population as they battled for civil rights, the mis tratment of Chinese and Mexicans and they were killed with impunity and with legal sanction makes for some grim reading. The section on religion makes it very clear why religion plays such a big part in US politics and you can see why as it was and till is a vital way to express a sense of community. The best part for me was the section on multiculturalism where its clear that you can retain a sense of your roots in the US AND still be an American with a fierce committment to the country
It was with a sense of diappointment that I finished this book simply bacause I had not had enough of the American story which is spite of the things done still seems essentially optimistic - and so if Obama wants to use the phase 'Yes we can' then this book will help explain why his audience responds to it
Apart from the violence of the Civil War which had some horrific parts what these sections bring to vivid life in the internal violence in US history , the programs against the Cherokee, the violence and hatred against the black population as they battled for civil rights, the mis tratment of Chinese and Mexicans and they were killed with impunity and with legal sanction makes for some grim reading. The section on religion makes it very clear why religion plays such a big part in US politics and you can see why as it was and till is a vital way to express a sense of community. The best part for me was the section on multiculturalism where its clear that you can retain a sense of your roots in the US AND still be an American with a fierce committment to the country
It was with a sense of diappointment that I finished this book simply bacause I had not had enough of the American story which is spite of the things done still seems essentially optimistic - and so if Obama wants to use the phase 'Yes we can' then this book will help explain why his audience responds to it
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
So Much Wishful Thinking?
The book of the TV series, as usual with Schama, is so much more. An assessment of America's past at a time of apparent radical change - the 2008 presidential election is the prism... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nicholas Casley
Schama's America
I recently attended one of his lectures on the "Festival of Britain" and this lecturer and television personality is as enthusiastic in person as on the screen and it is this... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RR Waller
A bad introduction
It was my first expierence of reading about American History and I was very disappointed. The book lacks the structure, the constant jumping between periods annoyed me and at one... Read more
Published 9 months ago by BW
Already out of date
I never thought I'd give Simon Schama only two stars, but this doesn't work for me. This is mainly becuase this was written in the hopeful days of President Obama's election,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Davey
not for beginners...
For anyone seeking an introductory text to the history of the USA, this is a poor option. The book frequently jumps from events in the 18th century to events in the 21st century... Read more
Published 17 months ago by dr_mf
Very difficult to read and stay interestered
I get the inpression that the publisher asked for 20.000 words and Mr Schama willingly obliged.
Very difficult for myself to read, boring in places beyond reason. Read more
Very difficult for myself to read, boring in places beyond reason. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ian Jones
Hmm, frustrating...
I share many of Sirin's reservations regarding this book; the TV series was incisive, well-structured and showed best Schama's eloquent and well-informed raconteur style; the book... Read more
Published on 22 May 2010 by Richard Sewell
Fascinating
A fascinating look at American history. Not an easy read - he is easier to listen to. But it opened windows to shed light on many facets of American life, which we have... Read more
Published on 24 April 2010 by Merel's Grandma
Ideas slung around a film-shoot
Like the rest of the brilliant academics who have made a name through dazzling scholarship and cashed it in for big money TV series, Schama loses some of his intellectual synoptic... Read more
Published on 7 April 2010 by Sirin
An excellent, entertaining read...
This isn't so much of a history of America as it is a history of how Americans view the future. Perhaps of all countries America has always been the most progressive and... Read more
Published on 27 July 2009 by C. Ball
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