History Has Begun

The Birth of a New America

By: Bruno Maçães

Narrated by: David Marantz

Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Popular consensus says that the US rose over two centuries to Cold War victory and world domination, and is now in slow decline. But is this right? History's great civilizations have always lasted much longer, and for all its colossal power, American culture was overshadowed by Europe until recently. What if this isn't the end?

In History Has Begun, Bruno Maçães offers a compelling vision of America's future, both fascinating and unnerving. From the early American Republic, he takes us to the turbulent present, when, he argues, America is finally forging its own path. We can see the birth pangs of this new civilization in today's debates on guns, religion, foreign policy, and the significance of Trump. Should the coronavirus pandemic be regarded as an opportunity to build a new kind of society? What will its values be, and what will this new America look like? Maçães traces the long arc of US history to argue that in contrast to those who see the US on the cusp of decline, it may well be simply shifting to a new model, one equally powerful but no longer liberal. Consequently, it is no longer enough to analyze America's current trajectory through the simple prism of decline vs. progress, which assumes a static model - America as liberal leviathan.

©2020 Bruno Macaes (P)2021 Tantor

Eye-opening

Really takes an outside perspective to understand America. Surprised of his negative outlook on toqueville, but am excited to learn more of his thoughts on this virtual world we Americans have been a part of.

Hodgepodge of ideas; no real thesis

I want to like this book because it’s got a few interesting ideas and meditates on them. But there’s no real point to the book. Undeniably intelligent, the author seeks to explain the US as a place where reality is constantly pushed away. We see ourselves as though we were in a movie, acting our part, and our policies and culture reflect this fact.

Ok, interesting thesis, but it makes more sense as a blog post. Instead we get an unfocused exposition on everything from late 19th century literature to Palantir to the early days of Covid.

I’ve heard Bruno on a couple podcasts and he’s a smart person but after listening to the entire book, I’m sorry to say I just don’t think it was all that interesting.

Need to get his other books on audible

This book is interesting. I'd love to see his other books on here as well.

So much b.s.

Europeans have crazy notions about America. The “unreality” he describes is in his own mind.