A review by tamaralgage1
Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen
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.