Ameritopia

Publisher's Summary

#1 New York Times best-selling author Mark Levin explores the philosophical basis of America's foundations and the crisis that faces government today.

©2012 Mark Levin (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Man's basic nature : Liberty

In this book, Mark Levins reiterates the goals of our founding fathers when they gathered to write the constitution and form our unique brand of American democracy. By tracing patterns of thought by the greatest thinkers of the western world, Levin clearly explains the flaws of logic and lack of appreciation for man's true human nature that have led to the 'group think' socialistic aspects unduly praised today by popular culture.

This book gives a logical explanation of where conservative ideals originate and how their simple goal for all men to pursue happiness in liberty has become corrupted since World War I. Levin's book describes how a socialist strain of 'do-good'ing that has turned our government into a "Nanny State." The goals of which run counter to individual freedoms, daily liberty and pursuits of prosperity.

The negative spin put on the desire of conservatives to keep government out of our daily lives is a disingenuous, but rampant criticism in today's culture. This book lists point by point historical evidence that the socialist characteristics of government, praised by liberals as humanitarian, have the effect of strangling individual self determination and is therefore detrimental to the American way of life.
Levin's book ignited a new interest in the Constitution in me as he explained the origins of political and economic conservatives' desire to keep Americans free of tyranny. I'm not certain how a liberal-leaning American would accept the premises raised by Levin. But I found his arguments compelling, if not sad. By this account, we have strayed a long way from what our founding fathers envisioned.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

poor quality reading (audio book only); content+++

What did you love best about Ameritopia?

all the content is excellent, info that should be familiar to schoolchildren, should be taught to all school kids. I wish I had had ANY of this content taught to me in the 1960s and 1970s. People simply don't know much of this stuff.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Adam Grupper and Mark R. Levin ?

This is the problem area. Adam's voice drones on like a computer synthesized voice. The worst part is being able to determine )or not) whose voice Adam is reading. Is he reading a quotation of another author, or Mark's own words?

I guess it doesn't matter so much WHO reads it, as long as that differentiation can be discerned. A good way improve that would be... to use one male and one female reader when male/female quotes are being read, reserving Mark's words for the main narrator.

This is only real point I care to make (improve the narration). The subject matter is very dry, and it's slow on the uptake, good (or substandard) reading matters more than usual, perhaps. All the ways people expressed their thought in past centuries or past millennia even, their writings take more attention or energy to fully appreciate.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Best conservative book out there

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Everyone should recommend this audiobook it will give you a solid understanding of our nation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I had always known that stateism was a prevailing ailment of our county but never had a strong grasp of just how far back the usurpation of liberty went.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A great and scholarly book. A very timely read

Would you consider the audio edition of Ameritopia to be better than the print version?

I prefer audio books because I don't have time to read.

What other book might you compare Ameritopia to and why?

The Road to Serfdom, the 5,000 Year Leap, and Glenn Beck's Broke

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great book deserved better audio production

I gather that this audiobook was rushed out the door, which is a shame. I hope someday they can re-record it with Mark Levin doing the intro with the kind of passion and emphasis that he gives his radio audience. He read it very quickly, in a bit of a monotone. Then the other narrator takes over, but it's very hard to catch the difference between the lengthy quoted passages, and Mark's own words. May I suggest a third narrator take over for the quotes? Like Richard Dawkins did in his recent books? Much easier on the ear, and easier to keep straight. Performance aside, this is a stunning book which makes clear the evil philosophies that have led us down the rat hole of statism. I recommend it to anyone who wants to flesh out the theoretical underpinnings of modern conservatism and libertarianism.

16 of 19 people found this review helpful

Awesome! The Great One is Right on Target!

Ameritopia should be required reading in High School civics, in College and University American and World History and Political Science classes. I listened to Liberty and Tyranny when it came out. Bought the book so I could refer back to it. At the time I felt it amazing that Mr. Levin had such a grasp on what Barack Obama wanted to do. Listening to Ameritopia gave me the historical background to understand what Mr. Levin conveys so well. To understand the goal of the state-ists and progressives opens our eyes to what they are doing each day to further their agenda. They are smarter and know what "the little people" need, and they are the ones who can deliver.
Thank you Mark Levin for doing your wonderful part to educate Americans so we can help to save our country.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Ear-Opening

What did you love best about Ameritopia?

inrfedibly well documented

Who was your favorite character and why?

De Toqueville

What about Adam Grupper and Mark R. Levin ’s performance did you like?

I like Mark's voice, Grupper at times is a little monotonous

If you could give Ameritopia a new subtitle, what would it be?

It Must Be Stopped!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fantastic "The Great One" never disapoints!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ameritopia to be better than the print version?

Better for some, I really enjoyed being able to listen while I worked.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Freedom loving people who throughout history fought the tyrannical utopian masterminds.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved learning about the philosophies behind the founding of The United States.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cry over the sad state the leftist utopian masterminds have brought this once free nation to.

Any additional comments?

A defining work! If you want to understand the greatest conflict mankind faces this is the handbook. Throughout the history of man the despotic masterminds have used the lie of a utopian paradise to fool the masses into tyrannical submission. Mark shows in his groundbreaking book just how close the radical left has brought this once great nation to its knees. I pray we are not too late to stop our latest utopian mastermind

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A Book for Our Time

Where does Ameritopia rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ameritopia?

The author's explanation of how the greatest minds in history have not been able to design a working utopia here on earth - nor will we ever find true utopia here on earth.

What about Adam Grupper and Mark R. Levin ’s performance did you like?

I liked the clarity of their reading of the text. It was neither monotone or overdone. It was just right.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The most interesting tidbit is the analysis of how we are living in a post-Constitutional republic and we are at a critical decision point between living in America or Ameritopia

Any additional comments?

Read this book. It contains valuable information needed to cure that which ills our current political situation.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A call to arms and reasons to act!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it. For friends who have said that they were struggling with reading the book in hardcover, I suggested the audio version as an alternative to hear the message. It seems that sometimes the more complicated is easier to understand when you can listen and relisten and let your mind capture the thoughts in this manner.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I appreciated the way that the author referred to past examples of the classics to demonstrate the points of how the desire to achieve Utopia can only be accomplished through the total loss of individual freedom.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were no scenes, but the way in which the author highlighted the background of the philosophies of those who influenced our founding fathers and why our founding documents are based on these philosophies. When you understand what is at stake and realize the direction we are going -- it becomes very clear on how important it is to take necessary actions to reverse our current course.

If you could give Ameritopia a new subtitle, what would it be?

After your freedom is gone, you'll have learned the lessons of Ameritopia

Any additional comments?

Great book!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful