Anti-Americanism

By: Jean-Francois Revel

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

After the 9-11 attack on the United States, the brief moment of global sympathy for America soon began giving way to blame. In France and other quarters of Europe, and elsewhere in the world, it was said that the Americans had brought this violence upon themselves. The United States was a "cowboy" nation disinclined to abide by the will of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions and bent on pursuing its objectives at any cost. It was the "hyperpower" whose corporations manipulated world markets and whose riches were acquired at the price of Third World impoverishment. No wonder it had been attacked!

Angered by these assaults on a nation he knows and admires, the distinguished French intellectual Jean-Francois Revel has come to America's defense in Anti-Americanism, a biting and erudite book that, paradoxically, given his country's especially vehement attack on the U.S., spent several weeks last year at the top of France's best seller list.

©2002 Plon (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Revel writes with a style at once informative and incisive." (Publishers Weekly)

Another Perspective

I really enjoy this work and found it works well in its audio format. It presents plausible arguments as to why America is such an easy target and so reviled.

It also presents internal social problems that French society faces that are not unlike the problems we face in America though we may have been led to romantize into thinking that it doesn't happen in Europe and is only due to the evils of American life. However, I do wonder if there is a bit of romantization of America by a Frenchman. After all, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Whatever the case may be, I did find the work very informative and its points well argued and supported. It really touches on the heart of the real battle which is socialism & communism versus capitalism & free market economics though there's also the issue of French arrogance which supercedes the conflicting ideologies.

This book also touches on very current issues that we are facing today including the issue of terrorism and has a lot of provocative statements without the blinders of political correctness. Whether you agree or disagree with the author's point of view, the book still presents a look into a part of French society and is worth a listen.

Why

Here, in a cool, reasoned missive to his fellow Europeans, is a French intellectual's thorough exposure, analysis, and debunking of the phenomenon of anti-Americanism. Here are a few myths that the author explodes:
1. MYTH: Americans are ignorant of the "rest of the world," and Europeans are well informed about goings on in America.
2. MYTH: Americans are crass and uncultured, they worship money above all else, and they are crime-ridden and violent.
3. MYTH: Americans are reflexively unilateral and ignore the reasoned pleas for cooperation from their European allies.
The root cause of all anti-Americanism, in the author's opinion? Nothing less than an ongoing war against free-market liberal democracy, one that has been waged by the far left and far right (which, combined, constitute more than a third of the electorate in France) since the early part of the 20th century. America draws the most heat not only because it represents the summit of achievement of free-market democracy, but because it is its most passionate advocate. Dispense with the notions that brash America is rubbing up against our more seasoned and even-tempered European cousins' sensibilities; the fact is that it is who we are and what we represent far more than what we do that galls the heart of the unrepentant socialist of both the National (right) and International (left) varieties.

Maybe There is Hope for the French

This is a very well argued book by a Frenchman ,written for a European Audience.It is quite supportive of America....and it's true.
It made #1 on the French Best Sellers list......maybe there is a glimmer of hope after all.It will hold your interest...stir some emotions.....Very Good Sound/Narration.

Powerful, Relentless

I'm an American who has lived in "Old Europe" for the past 7 years. Life has been good here, but since the Iraq War the constant complaining about the USA has become very annoying. I too have asked, what did we Americans do wrong to warrant this hatred? This book helped me see that this is not a new phenomenon, but one that goes back decades and was only 'unmasked' by the War. Opinions are not based on American actions, but rather on Amcerica's successes and Europes failures. Revel points out so clearly what is rarely discussed in the New Europe: the self-inflicted disasters of two world wars that destroyed European leadership and handed world leadership to the USA on a platter. The America they complain about was created in large part by Europe's failures. That is not to say that the USA is without some blame. But there is a tendency to blame the USA for everthing, and be silent about the true dangers in the world. This is symptomatic of a dysfunctional psychological process most associated with the weak and 'victims.' As Revel points out, this behavior, associated with the Euopean elite, only makes Europe weaker and the USA stronger. NOTE to Readers: Revel's use of the term 'liberal' is different than from the normal political (negative) meaning in US politics, instead suggesting free-enterprise and consensual governance.

A MUST read (or listen)

This book should be required reading for everyone in this country. Plain and simple, this is a great book and very informative, especially since we know very little of what goes on in France and other European countries. I truly enjoyed this book and will probably go out and buy the book to add to my personal library.