American Exceptionalism and American Innocence

A People's History of Fake News - From The Revolutionary War to The War on Terror

By: Roberto Sirvent, Danny Haiphong, Ajamu Baraka - foreword, Glen Ford - afterword

Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Did the U.S. really “save the world” in World War II? Should black athletes stop protesting and show more gratitude for what America has done for them? Are wars fought to spread freedom and democracy? Or is this all fake news?

American Exceptionalism and American Innocence examines the stories we’re told that lead us to think that the U.S. is a force for good in the world, regardless of slavery, the genocide of indigenous people, and the more than a century’s worth of imperialist war that the U.S. has wrought on the planet.

Roberto Sirvent and Danny Haiphong detail just what Captain America’s shield tells us about the pretensions of U.S. foreign policy, how Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates engage in humanitarian imperialism, and why the Broadway musical Hamilton is a monument to white supremacy.

©2019 Roberto Sirvent and Danny Haiphong. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Foreword © 2019 by Ajamu Baraka. Afterword © 2019 by Glen Ford.

Thought Provoking Perspective on America

At the crux of this book, the author points out the many fallacies associated with the perception that America is a beacon of hope and a force of goodwill for all countries to follow. Simply put, America doesn’t practice the values and democratic views externally through its foreign involvement, internally. The very foundation of America was of exploitation to promote the expansion of American capitalism. It’s always been a matter of protecting and expanding the system. Any perceived threat to it, has and still is moved to be eliminated.

You’re not going to like it.

And that’s exactly the point. If you start to listen to this book and you begin to feel offended by the notions put forth by these authors, then you’re in the group of people who needs to hear this message the most. If you decide that the contents of this book are too offensive to your sensibilities, I implore you to continue listening. I did not particularly enjoy this book myself. I even wanted to give up on it a few times, but I’m glad I didn’t because each time after some contemplation and a nights sleep I found myself in agreement with many of the sentiments expressed in these pages. Having said that, I’d recommend this book to anyone!

Still processing

Challenges everything, however; you're left with the question of whether a permanent change in the situation is possible because of the impossibility of the total system change that is called for in the book. Capitalism isn't the end of history but there should be some care in how to dismantle it. Understanding that the uniquely United States form and it's barbarism is so closely tied with it founding in slavery comes with a new understanding when the role of inherited wealth is explained. When you understand that the bigotry and violence is from the favored group in this country to every other group, you see how concentrated power amongst people with a shared identity is an idea that is unhealthy for the species survival. Any form of government that wishes to sustain itself as a gift to all mankind will have to focus on removing or checking the unhealthy urge that drives our species death instinct. This seems to be much simpler than philosophers have made it, as it is the want to push others beneath us or the singular ego. You see this destructive urge so strong that it destroys all from top to bottom. Might be a bit over simplified, as this is only my first read. The book has thrown many of my previous thoughts into question.

Eye opening

What a fantastic eye opening piece of work. It was just simply amazing! Would highly recommend

Fascinating new thoughts that are right in front of our eyes

Thank you for making me think about new ways our government could work and what we take for granted. As in our current climate, if you say anything often enough it becomes the truth even if it isn’t.

Thorough and uncompromising

While some may object to Sirvent’s and Haiphong’s findings, the historical and empirical evidence is both academic and critical of our current sociopolitical state. I think it’s imperative that the concept of American Exceptionalism be critiqued and exposed for the deceptive qualities it imbues, but I’m biased.

Simply Brilliant!

If you do not understand the myth of “American Exceptionalism and American Innocence” (also known as the BIG LIE) everything you do understand will only confuse you.

Essential reading

The content of this excellent book should be mandatory learning material right across the colonial settler United Starship Trooper held territories of America, for there really are just two endings possible to this brief period known for its rabid exceptionalism and cognitive dysentery before humanity can progress to a paradigm of mutual cooperation and friendship. The warm, fuzzy, civil wrought wrap up of the violent thrashings of the Washington apparatus that’s been inflicting carnage on the World without remorse far too long, or the hot, radioactive Washingtonian hellscape, imposed with the regret of a rational State from afar.
The world has indeed had enough of this disgusting hegemon.

An essential listen

A reckoning of the truths inherent to America. I hope this can be an important ingredient in the re-ignition of the Anti-War movement

still have more to listen

so far this book has been absolute trash but I will do another review after I finish like it's just constant whining and complaining that's all I've heard so far


I'm further into the book and it's still a bunch of loaded words salads mixed with opinions and accusations. nothing to support what the author is trying to claim and everything is painted one-sided