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thestarrfish's review against another edition
While I generally found it interesting and well done, I found it curious the lack of critical discussion around israel and its connection to US empire. Given the settler colony was discussed, it feels like an intentional choice to hide this aspect of american empire and colonialism
aido_potato's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a really solid history. It went in depth on a lot of important historical/contemporary issues in the United States, but did so in a way that was fun and approachable to read. I loved how Immerwahr used vignettes of different historic figures to humanize the larger themes he was describing.
I would likely have given this book 5 stars but felt it lost some serious momentum and cohesion in the second part.
I would likely have given this book 5 stars but felt it lost some serious momentum and cohesion in the second part.
allisonwebster's review
I forgot I don't want to read depressing books these days. This is an excellent history. Maybe I will pick it up another time.
aurora_because's review against another edition
4.0
If you've ever thought "are we the bad guys?" you'll find your answer in this book. I taught history for a decade and even I did not have a full grasp of the American colonization of the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. The clear timelines and connections detailed here connected a lot of pieces of disparate information for me.
Follow this one up with The Jakarta Method to really get a complete understanding of how the US involves itself in matters outside its own borders.
Follow this one up with The Jakarta Method to really get a complete understanding of how the US involves itself in matters outside its own borders.
gilroy0's review against another edition
5.0
an absolute must-read if you want to understand American global policy today
You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are or how you got there. This book deftly brings to life the vast expanse and history of the United States beyond the “logo map”. It’s not the history you generally get in school and it is often unflattering. But there’s no way to understand America without understanding all of it.
You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are or how you got there. This book deftly brings to life the vast expanse and history of the United States beyond the “logo map”. It’s not the history you generally get in school and it is often unflattering. But there’s no way to understand America without understanding all of it.
slippyhead's review
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Did you know the Philippines were a colony until ww2? This book is full of "why wasn't I taught that?"
sn03's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and War
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Xenophobia, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, and Car accident