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A review by bioniclib
American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard
4.0
This is a fascinating read. Even if this wasn't an election year and all of the distinct regions of the US weren’t constantly reflected upon in regards to whom they’ll vote for, I’d still really enjoy it. There is very little that unites the US. The Civil War wasn’t the first time states thought about seceding.
Yankeedom puts emphasis on education (but their Puritanical brand of education) and getting involved in government.
Tidewater wants to maintain an aristocracy.
Greater Appalachia just wants the government to “get off their lawn”.
Then there’s El Norte, which is home to the oldest building in the country, which is in Santa Fe, not Roanoke or Jamestown. This particularly struck me, but it really shouldn’t have. I learned that “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” then we learned about Roanoke and that mystery in 1590. Jamestown was in 1607, so what, pray tell, was going on betwixt 1492 and 1607? Yeah, lots of stuff.
The first 3/4th of the book traces how each of these (and more) “nations” came to be and how they influence people living there. The last 1/4th tried to cover the 20th and 21st century but it kinda falls apart. What helped these nations form their distinctive traits was due in no small part to isolation or at least delay in communication. Today, there’s not really all that much of a delay in events. Which isn’t always a good thing…
In any event, if you’re at all interested in American history, this book is definitely worth a read. If you couldn’t give a hoot about it, then you MAY still be interested. I’d suggest picking it up either way.
Yankeedom puts emphasis on education (but their Puritanical brand of education) and getting involved in government.
Tidewater wants to maintain an aristocracy.
Greater Appalachia just wants the government to “get off their lawn”.
Then there’s El Norte, which is home to the oldest building in the country, which is in Santa Fe, not Roanoke or Jamestown. This particularly struck me, but it really shouldn’t have. I learned that “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” then we learned about Roanoke and that mystery in 1590. Jamestown was in 1607, so what, pray tell, was going on betwixt 1492 and 1607? Yeah, lots of stuff.
The first 3/4th of the book traces how each of these (and more) “nations” came to be and how they influence people living there. The last 1/4th tried to cover the 20th and 21st century but it kinda falls apart. What helped these nations form their distinctive traits was due in no small part to isolation or at least delay in communication. Today, there’s not really all that much of a delay in events. Which isn’t always a good thing…
In any event, if you’re at all interested in American history, this book is definitely worth a read. If you couldn’t give a hoot about it, then you MAY still be interested. I’d suggest picking it up either way.