Dreaming Up America
by Russell Banks
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Book Summary Information
Author: Russell BanksEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-06-03
ISBN: 1583228381
Number of pages: 144
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Book Reviews of Dreaming Up America
Book Review: Dreaming Up America
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a carefully constructed critique of American culture from the time of Columbus until the present. What we do today and how we think is driven by our background. We are a new country compared to much of the world. The factors that brought our forefathers to the Americas and the ease with which the European invasion expanded across the continent are major factors in who we are today.
This book is drawn from interviews conducted in preparation for a documentary produced in France. In part, the intent was to correct images of America that non-Americans draw from popular movies. Banks has edited that material after the documentary has been translated into several languages. The maturity of the ideas in the book shows the refinement of this period of reflection. However, it still comes across at times that Banks is talking to a different audience than his countrymen. Many readers will consider that an enhancement since we too seldom try to look at ourselves as others see us.
Early in the book, Banks introduces three factors (he calls them dreams) that he believes have strongly influenced us since colonial times, and are still a strong part of our national motivation. He terms those factors The City of Gold, The City on the Hill, and The Fountain of Youth. I urge readers to keep those factors in mind as they read and reread "Dreaming Up America." Other factors are important as well. Banks considers the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to be inspired documents whose full power hasn't yet been realized in American culture. Banks joins others in seeing racial influences at the root of every aspect of American society. Consider European treatment of the indigenous American people, slavery, and how our view of other people is influenced by whether they look like us or are different. Banks calls America "a country that was invented out of many parts" and thus we think and act differently than more homogeneous populations with longer histories.
These various factors are often in opposition to one another. Thus our society is often under tension. At times this is positive; it motivates us to move ahead. Far too often it leads to violence, both within ourselves and our actions toward others.
Not every reader will appreciate Banks' perspective. It would be unfortunate if that kept them from closely examining the points that he makes. Most Americans would benefit from reading this book twice through. It doesn't take long to read but the thought and discussions that it fosters endure much longer.
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