Marianna May and Nursey

By Tomie dePaola

Book Overview

The appeal to a shared sense of origins and national purpose is part of the rhetoric of American life. Every new item on the social agenda--from the New Deal, to the Space Program, to affirmative action--has attempted to justify itself as an expression of American ideals. But the historical source of "the American experience" is a matter of dispute: was it the founding documents, New England puritanism, transcendentalism, the sentiment of individualism, the myth of America as a redeemer nation? Indeed, the whole idea of explaining our experience by a single impulse may itself be misconceived. If so, should we continue to justify public policy on these grounds? Drawing together stimulating and original articles by such noted writers as McGeorge Bundy, John Diggins, E.L. Doctorow, Denis Donoghue, Gerald Holton, and David Richards, America in Theory examines the extent to which our perceptions of the past have dictated, and should continue to dictate, the way we address the problems of the present. The essays consider general issues--can we base public policy on an "original intent" of the Framers? Is there an "American way"? How do you reconcile the tension between a fixed tradition and a pluralistic nation? How do our current concerns with theories of interpretation shape our reading of the constitution and a reconsideration of the past? Norman Dorsen points out that many recent policy debates have reached an impasse because opposing forces base their arguments on contradictory interpretations of the American past. And John Brademas, former U.S. Representative and current President of New York University, traces the history of federal support for education and offers a penetrating critique of Reagan's attempts to curtail this support. In addition, there are chapters on civil rights, foreign policy, the Equal Rights Amendment, nuclear arms, and affirmative action. As these thought-provoking essays reveal, the myths and theories that make up our idea of America are still evolving, are still open to debate two centuries after our nation's founding. Anyone interested in the meaning of the American experience, the recent direction of public policy both foreign and domestic, and the futre of America will find this volume provocative and insightful.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823404730
• ISBN13: 9780823404735
• Release Date: September 1983
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 28 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Little girls will love this story

My sister and I read this book numerous times as children and I still enjoy it today. Marianna May is always dressed in prim and proper white. She loves to play outside, but always gets her dress dirty and then gets in trouble. Luckily, Marianna May has a friend who comes up with the perfect solution so she can still wear her dresses, but it's okay to get dirty and be a kid. The illustrations are beautiful as with any Tomie De Paola book.

Love it!

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the story and the illustrations. I discovered as an adult that Tomie DePaola was the author of many of my other favorites when I was little. This book and Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs are must reads! Try to collect as may books by this author/illustrator as you can.

A book about keeping Marianna May's clothes clean.

I thought it was a good book. Marianna May was rich but she wasn't happy because she couldn't have fun or she would get dirty. They solved the problem. Marianna May was a happy girl again.