mducks's review
1.0
It starts off reasonably well because Andersen had to carry out a bit of research into what he was saying.
Once he hits his birthday though, he gives up research, launching into a diatribe of unsubstantiated statements. Too often he calls something rubbish or wrong or fantasy without bothering to give a solitary reference to back up his claims - and in many cases he calls things as having no argument other than a group claiming something is wrong when there is sufficient research to show that at lease a special interest group put in some effort beyond a rant.
He confuses a diatribe with arguments and research against a point of view.
At no point does he attempt to 'follow the money', a basic journalist tool to work out accuracy, instead happy to support a neoliberal interpretation of the world.
What is Fantasyland? It seems to be the world that Andersen doesn't agree with, it is made up and has no basis in reality or fact, the believers are fantasists lacking rational thought - but not so lacking that they can't be charged with mass murder
This is not the start of a conversation because it lacks rigor in its arguments, it lacks research. It lacks the basic ability to clam that a group of powerful people in a room will discuss ways to increase their power and manipulate information - not a conspiracy but the way we work as humans.
Confusing everything he doesn't agree with as being a fantasy is to dysfunctional, lacking complexity and he fails to explain the roots of any fantasy, just that there is a crazy sector of American society that believes things
Once he hits his birthday though, he gives up research, launching into a diatribe of unsubstantiated statements. Too often he calls something rubbish or wrong or fantasy without bothering to give a solitary reference to back up his claims - and in many cases he calls things as having no argument other than a group claiming something is wrong when there is sufficient research to show that at lease a special interest group put in some effort beyond a rant.
He confuses a diatribe with arguments and research against a point of view.
At no point does he attempt to 'follow the money', a basic journalist tool to work out accuracy, instead happy to support a neoliberal interpretation of the world.
What is Fantasyland? It seems to be the world that Andersen doesn't agree with, it is made up and has no basis in reality or fact, the believers are fantasists lacking rational thought - but not so lacking that they can't be charged with mass murder
This is not the start of a conversation because it lacks rigor in its arguments, it lacks research. It lacks the basic ability to clam that a group of powerful people in a room will discuss ways to increase their power and manipulate information - not a conspiracy but the way we work as humans.
Confusing everything he doesn't agree with as being a fantasy is to dysfunctional, lacking complexity and he fails to explain the roots of any fantasy, just that there is a crazy sector of American society that believes things
elewis125's review
3.0
ya it’s ok
There are bits, like when the author describes LARPing, where his boomerism comes through. Also some parts where he injects too much prose or twists things a certain way to fit this profile of America. But there's overall some good insight and detail into the things that have tried to question our reality.
There are bits, like when the author describes LARPing, where his boomerism comes through. Also some parts where he injects too much prose or twists things a certain way to fit this profile of America. But there's overall some good insight and detail into the things that have tried to question our reality.
myqz's review
2.0
Anderson’s voice only worked for me in small doses. I felt like I was either being yelled at or having eyes rolled at me for most of the book, and even though I agreed with a lot of what he was saying, his voice made it tiring. That’s not to say I didn’t like anything: I thought his history of American Christianity was great, the conclusion ties all the threads of history the book had surfaced into a tight narrative, and his conclusions about how to push back at the end made me feel a genuine little glimmer of hope.
charlibirb's review
5.0
Amazing read. Every American should read this to call attention to our current mental state of affairs. Entertainment, alternative facts, credulousness, this was a great lens through which to view America.
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review
4.0
Andersen, one of the two co-founders of Spy magazine, spent several years researching this meandering but compelling history. The 500 years in question begin with Martin Luther and the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation, leading to the Puritans, leading eventually to the "alternate facts" that America runs on today. This isn't an indictment of only the contemporary Republican party - we're all guilty of some of these strange, irrational beliefs - but it pulls no punches in calling BS on climate change deniers, flat earthers, and anyone who thinks the Earth is 5,779 years old and/or takes the Bible literally. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this book or if it just made me want to smack all my fellow Americans on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper like naughty puppies.
I borrowed this e-book from my local library using the Libby app and was not obligated in any way to review it.
I borrowed this e-book from my local library using the Libby app and was not obligated in any way to review it.
heathersbike's review
DNF page 105. I really wanted to finish this. Nick really wanted to talk about but it is boring and annoying. I've had it on my "reading" list for months and I am not any closer. Will try again later. Maybe.
Update: Just checked. I've had this as "reading" since February 2018. Almost 2 years!! Ridiculous.
Update: Just checked. I've had this as "reading" since February 2018. Almost 2 years!! Ridiculous.
mattbeatty's review
4.0
This book is chock-full of fascinating information and analysis. Kurt Andersen is very thorough, and while like to consider his analysis cherry-picked, or circular, or self-fulfilling, I found it extremely sensible, well-researched, and pointedly accurate.
If you're looking for a rather verbose but truly interesting history of America, and why we're "exceptional" among the developed world with fantastical logic and bizarrely irrational conspiracy ideas, look no further. He definitely leans liberal, but gives the left and new age extremism a good dose of scrutiny as well. Not for the faint of heart.
I would gladly read this again. I also have recommended it to most of my family and friends, including my 15-year old son.
If you're looking for a rather verbose but truly interesting history of America, and why we're "exceptional" among the developed world with fantastical logic and bizarrely irrational conspiracy ideas, look no further. He definitely leans liberal, but gives the left and new age extremism a good dose of scrutiny as well. Not for the faint of heart.
I would gladly read this again. I also have recommended it to most of my family and friends, including my 15-year old son.
ifoundtheme's review
3.0
While overall an interesting book and one I've suggested to others, the prime irony of this polemic is that due to its tone, it comes off as some sort of hybrid between nonfiction and opinion piece. This leaves the reader a bit confused regarding which of the presented arguments are based on facts, and which are just beliefs.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
Alright, I have just finished this book and I can honestly say there is something here for everyone. Covering over 500 years of history, there is something to: offend everyone; allow everyone to declare "I knew it all along"; and most of all the ability to remove the blinders and peak behind the curtain of Oz. The author covers a great deal of territory and I am not sure many readers that I know are willing to make this effort to understand the Fantasyland we call life. This book covers religion from the impact on our daily lives, schools, and politics. We get to see the history of gaming (board games to video, cartoons, and fantasy roll play). Guns get a turn in the history review of our country and how we have arrived at where we are today. Finally, there is a detailed discussion of politicians through the years and the media … Did I mention there is something here to offend everyone? These are not all the "Fantasyland" topics. But just to give you an idea. Others include: child abuse, schools, Walt Disney, the internet, Oprah, Billy Graham, …. Something for everyone.
There is a quote by Demosthenes presented in this book that sums it all up. "the easiest thing of all is to deceive is oneself; For we believe whatever we want to believe".
Regardless of what I thought I believed, I understand that there is so much more to learn and understand. In addition, I understand mistakes taken along the journey to where we are today do not define who we are now … as long as you understand and take responsibility for the mistakes.
Now my rating of a 5*. This book was entertaining and I learned a lot. Sometimes it felt like I was drinking from a fire hose. Information and data was coming so fast I couldn't take notes. So I didn't try. Instead I just sat back and listened. This book is not going to be for most of my friends. But for those of you willing to learn and understand how we have arrived at where we are today as defined as "Fantasyland" you are going to love it.
There is a quote by Demosthenes presented in this book that sums it all up. "the easiest thing of all is to deceive is oneself; For we believe whatever we want to believe".
Regardless of what I thought I believed, I understand that there is so much more to learn and understand. In addition, I understand mistakes taken along the journey to where we are today do not define who we are now … as long as you understand and take responsibility for the mistakes.
Now my rating of a 5*. This book was entertaining and I learned a lot. Sometimes it felt like I was drinking from a fire hose. Information and data was coming so fast I couldn't take notes. So I didn't try. Instead I just sat back and listened. This book is not going to be for most of my friends. But for those of you willing to learn and understand how we have arrived at where we are today as defined as "Fantasyland" you are going to love it.