Imperial America: Reflections on the United States of Amnesia

Gore Vidal's anthology titled IMPERIAL AMERICA is an anthology of essays written between 1980s and c. 2004. While these essays may seem dated to those with short memories,the theme of unbridled power, media lying, and the outer limits of hypocrisy are the same even though the "actors" are different.Vidal cites historical anecdotes and comments from the Founding Fathers about the perils of political power. According to Vidal, American drive toward imperial power and central power began with the Civil War or the War of Southern Secession or the War of Southern Independence. The basic synamic of this war was that Northern Bankers made considerale money and have ever since became more greedy and powerful.Vidal's description of the Spanish-American War includes the bloody suppression of the people of the Phillipines who were promised independence in 1898 only to have such promises and oaths revoked. The subsequent war of suppression which probably lasted from 1898 to 1902 costing over 200,000 lives.Vidal's description of the Cold War is as clear a presentation of trends and events as this reviewer has read. What U.S. authorities could have gained by policy, they tried to get by military force. Vidal explains that the reasons for this use of force was/is to enhance arms executives, oil executives, and bankers at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.Many times U.S. citizens are not alert to the "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace" trends because journalists and yes, historians repeat the same distortions and lies. Due to corportate executives controlling newpapers and other media sources, journalists, and academicians have "sold their soul" to please corporate masters and bankers. If one reflects on sensationalist news stories for the past 60 years, he/she will discover that most of these stories were lies, exaggerations, and distoritions. When some honest historians corrected any of these distoritions, the corrections got little or no attention. Or, anyone who made such an honest effort was badly smeared by "offical panals" of liars in the absence of the person in question. In fact, this is exactly what happened to Vidal himself. The montior of the panal was Roger Mudd (Mud?) who made all sorts of accusations against Vidal when Vidal was not on the panal to defend himself. The fact is Roger Mudd is a coward.Vidal gives clear evidence of unbridled power and hypocrisy. He also suggests means of ending the corrpution of a centralized police state. He suggests a return to the concept of federalism and uses the examle of the Swiss. Notice the Swiss stay out of war and have high living standards. Vidal suggests that U.S. citizens could locate in areas that satisfy their cultural and social preferences.One feature of Vidal's essays that should catch readers' attention is his criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court justices whom Vidal accuses of giving legal sanction to what is otherwise illegal and unconstitutional. This trend has only accelerated since the 1980s, and Vidal presents brief but concise explanations of these Supreme Court decisions.While some may think some of these essays are redundant, they need to be. Those with short memories need repeated reminders of serious problems or, as the subtitle of the book reads REFLCETIONS ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA. Vidals depth of knowledge and writing style make these essays well worth reading.

I try to read good writing even if the writer is personally unlikeable.

Gore Vidal writes entertainingly and acerbically about the facade of American politics. But not just politics, Vidal captures the delusional American dream mythology while still loving his birth country. I like his writing style and his counter-intuitive insights. He is a more pissed off point of view than most but he is quite clear and well defended in his points. I am a fan of history and Vidal is too but he writes with such a skeptical eye that you begin to see the bias in the history!

Vidal is not anti-America.He is critical of its bad government.He is angry at injustices, power-mongering, greed and stupidity.In the old days, Vidal would be like John the Baptist or some sage trying to make people listen and change.But in today's human realm, perhaps his voice is not taken seriously.

Mr. Gore has an in depth and uncanny view of American Politics and he is right on. Would that we could have leaders such as Mr. Gore running the Country. I can only dream of what could have been while I suffer the ineptitude and greed of modern day politicians. We need more like Mr. Gore who can stir the masses and demand change.

It seems almost inevitable that associated with every fact is a level of fiction. So rather than argue "the facts" or regurgitate them, let us instead argue their relevancy to the state of American society today. In that vein, this book was personally very relevant. Although I fail to agree with every problem cited and/or proposals for their solution, I wholeheartedly agree with its overall assessment for our malaise.This book expresses an intelligent and insightful perspective of our state of American governance. To ignore this message because we do not agree with all it says or how it says it does us a disservice. Even though three quarters of the book is composed of articles published during the eighties, I feel collectively that they are no less relevant today then they were then. Reading this book has broadened my perspective and I encourage everyone to read it.

He gives no quarter on either side of the aisle. He even has a different view of history than taught in schools (imagine that?) Yet what he is saying stands the truth test. Why are we where we are now? Read this book, it will give you some valuable insight.

This book of essays exposes the story of America that most people have never read. Mr. Vidal knows his history and has a talent for exposing the dark contradictions and military-industrial complex motives that propel the imperial American mindset.

The US has forgotten the principles upon which the republic was founded. It conveniently forgets the lessons it should have learnt from its own history! For example, Roosevelt, speaking about liberating Cuba from Spain, declared that "to prepare for war is the most effectual way to promote peace". Sound familiar?

Good

As before Brilliant