Can America Survive

by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth

Book Overview

Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth examine anti-American anger-not from other countries but the homegrown anti-Americanism to the left of the political spectrum. They present a clear portrait of what is wrong... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401903339
• ISBN13: 9781401903336
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Hay House
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant Analysis on What's Wrong with the Radical Left

Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth's "Can America Survive" is a thoughtful, extensive look at what is wrong with the radical anti-American Left. Theirs is not an angry polemic against them, but instead, one replete with extensive quotes from those on the Left, pointing out their errors of omission and fact on issues ranging from the state of the U. S. economy, American imperialism, the nature of the conservative movement in the United States, to the moral blindness of the left. In thirteen succinct chapters they point out what exactly is wrong with the Left, issue by issue, and close with their prescription for America's survival. Throughout this book I was impressed by the authors' decency and keen sense of fair play, even when I disagreed strongly with them, most notably the chapter on Environmentalism with its emphasis on Global Warming (I believe their interpretation of the data - which is akin to Michael Crichton's in his latest novel - is scientifically incorrect, but nonetheless, I respect their position on this issue.). Indeed, they respect the opinions of distinguished liberal Americans such as comedian Al Franken and Hollywood producer Norman Lear, noting that they should be regarded as patriotic Americans even though their political views differ substantially from the authors. However, they are greatly concerned by the immense, deep-seated anger shown by the Left, "The Rage of the Left", wondering whether it may prove as divisive to the country as the Civil War. Both Ben Stein and Charles DeMuth are active in the Hollywood media industry: Stein, the son of the late Herb Stein, the distinguished economist who had worked in President Richard Nixon's administration, is a commentator and actor; DeMuth is a screenwriter. Anyone interested in the return of civil, well-reasoned, political discourse between the Left and the Right should regard this book as essential reading.

Can America Survive? I Wonder...

I disagree with the authors on many issues, sometimes profoundly. But I find that, despite these disagreements, they have reached the same conclusion about the Rage of the Left that I already had---and that they muster a more impressive array of facts to bolster that conclusion than I had at my disposal. In addition, it is a well-written and literate book. This season, there are many interesting books to read...but this one does not feel like a hastily slapped-together work, as many of them do. It's possible that it might have value beyond the current era. The United States---maybe all of Western Civilization---faces a long and difficult struggle against Islamic terrorism. Yet the Left focuses on other issues. Since the war manifested itself in American consciousness, I have argued with several on the Left---but find it impossible to shake them from their focus on other irrelevant supposed evils. I am grateful to know that I am neither alone in my conclusions or my opinions on this.

Shows the strength of gratitude, education, and faith

What a delightful breath of fresh air this book provides. This is not an attack book that claims the flag for its point of view while disparaging those who do not agree. Rather, Stein and DeMuth, in multiple places, praise the patriotism of such pillars of the left as Norman Lear, Bob Kerrey, and Al Franken. The authors urge a generosity of spirit that I find strengthening because it is borne of confidence. I cannot think of anyone who would not benefit from reading this book. If you violently disagree with the right in this country, Stein and DeMuth present the least vitriolic case for the conservative worldview you will find in current writing. It is always good to try and understand those with whom you disagree and this book should help our national discourse find a more reasonable and less strident tone. If you are a parent you will want to read this book in order to be armed in discussions with your children and their schoolteachers. If you are a teenager you will want to read this book to get an alternative view to what you hear at school, on the TV, and likely from your friends. The first five chapters discuss the topics that are most in the cultural divide in our country today. Stein and DeMuth demonstrate the falseness of the left worldview on each of them. Chapters six through nine compare and contrast the way the left and the right view the world, their approaches to the very real problems we face, and compares what they do with what they say. Chapters ten through twelve offer what they admit are hypotheses about why the left believes, acts, and sees they way it does. The last two chapters discuss the fundamental nature of the cultural rift in our country and how confidence, gratitude, education, and persistent activism are the required antidotes to what ails us as a country today. I say thank you and amen to Stein and DeMuth for such a delightful, kind spirited, and enjoyable-to-read field guide to our present culture and the very real crises we face in our education system, our media culture, our political class, and the War on Terror. The appendix also has a reading list of other books, magazines, newspapers, and web sites to use as resources in strengthening your confidence to stand up and be counted. This is a book you should not only read for yourself, but send as a gift to associates, friends and family. Its message is important and is written in a way that I think will contribute to healing discussion rather than widen the rifts in our culture.

Our Country Right or Wrong - This book is a Wake-Up Call!

A group of us recently met for dinner with a well-known radio talk-show host in the Los Angeles area. While the main foci of the dinner-table discussion was about the Civil War, our talk-show guest, who would be considered a Liberal politically, though he hates labels, sadly lamented how polarized this country has become. It came at no surprise to me that he likened the red-hot political divide between those who support the President to the Bush-haters to the atmosphere in this nation just prior to 1860. Thankfully this nation is not, God Forbid, on the verge of a violent split. However, it did remind me very much of another Presidential election, the one held 140 years ago between Abraham Lincoln and the Union War Hero George McClellan nominated on an anti-war, pro-peace (with the Confederacy) platform drafted by an equally anti-war, pro-peace and disunion Democratic Party (sound familiar??). I later mentioned the comparisons to this speaker, and while agreeing that it wasn't quite the same - after all, America in 1864 was in the midst of a Civil War, the comparisons of personalities, a President who was a Republican and hated by many; a war-hero turned Peace Democratic candidate, were pretty much on the mark. (Read John Waugh's EXCELLENT "Reelecting Lincoln") Ben Stein's book not only also makes similiar references to the Civil War and why we must stop ourselves from tearing this great country apart, he points his brilliant finger at those who are causing the greatest harm, and takes no prisoners. He equally savages the media, the Howard Deans, George Soros' and Michael Moores who have nothing good to say about America, the Left Fascist college professors who instead of teaching our children are indoctrinating them with "hate America" lies. Stein shows how stupid and harmful those Left Wing Pundits ala Michael Moore and Janeane Garofalo among others are when they have the gall to call America "Fascist" as Garofalo recently alluded that we are. He points out that in every war that we fought to save Europe, we never conquered any European country, unlike the Germans and the Russians, nor slaughtered anyone. All we wanted in the end, as he said this morning on "Dayside" was to have a little corner in those ungrateful lands like France to bury our boys who died to bring freedom to these lands. The book also contains a great bibliography of American History and Civil War source material for further reading. This is a must-book that not only should belong in every thinking American's personal library, but should be given to every student going off to a college campus so that they know - and can refute the Hate America sludge of the Zinns and the Chomskys. Thank you for this book, Ben, and for real humor, real intellectual honesty, and the truth unlike a "Stuart Smalley"

Unique and Interesting

Just picked this up over the weekend and have been thinking about its message all day. This is a quick and insightful read. Unlike most of the other books on the market trying to right the liberal wrongs, this one is a call to arms at a personal level. What truly made this book unique is the last chapter where the authors put forth ideas as to what we can due in our homes to help educate our families and friends. I really thought the required reading lists were outstanding, everything from Civil War biographies to the American Spectator and Wall Street Journal. Pick this one up as soon as you can. A truly enjoyable read!