The Disuniting of America: Reflections on a Multicultural Society

By Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

Book Overview

What does it mean to be an American? Is the republic a unified whole or a collection of disparate ethnic groups? In this book, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr, examines the changing face of American history and shows how an increasing focus on ethnicity has affected life both in academic circles and on the street.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393033805
• ISBN13: 9780393033809
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.8" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

A Must Read for Those in the Social Sciences

This book is one of the most compelling reads of non-fiction I have ever come across. Without a doubt, this is one of few books I found of real use in college, and I continue to read and reflect upon it to this day. In fact, I would call this book essential for any social studies curriculum.Arthur Schlesinger takes the issues of a new PC nation and puts them into real perspective. He is both pro-culture and pro-heritage, but he stands against the idea that cultural identity means a seperation of the American People. Taking on a myriad of topics, Schlesinger explains with great simplicity, straight-forwardness, and honesty how multi-culturalism can be taken too far, taken to absurd conclusions. Essentially, Schlesinger is letting us know that not everything is best when it is presented through the eyes of multi-culturalism.I read the book in a single sitting. Once I started to read, I was drawn in more and more. Even if you don't agree with his premise, Schlesinger writes in such a way that there is no ambiguity to what he is saying. Knowing Schlesinger's politics for some may make this all the more shocking, but I have to ask those who oppose the message of this book whether they are upset that he is saying these things in general, or if they are upset because a "liberal" is saying these things.In my opinion this book is of critical importance to understand the second half of the 20th century in America.

great analysis

The Schlesinger book goes deeper than "Alien Nation" by Peter Brimelow. It was fascinating to read the "liberal" perspective on this subject, since it is the liberal press who has lectured us on the glories of diversity for over 20 years now.... After nearly two years of working in southern California -- (I couldnt wait to return to Western Civilization: in my case, New York) -- I think multiculturalism is a complete disaster. Call it Bosnia Lite, at least for now.... Schlesinger chronicles the Balkanization of America with surprising candor.