Recommended Read Simon Schama The American Future
February 10th, 2010 by Daniel Young | Filed under Life, Media.
I have just finished reading one of the best history books that I have ever read: ‘The American Future: A History‘ by Simon Schama.
The book charts the development of the military in the America from Lincoln up to the present day, pretty much, starting with the establishment of the West Point, the famous military academy.
The book explains that many of the Founding Fathers resisted the idea of a military force for the purposes of expansion, empire building and control believing that democracy rightfully implemented would not require enforcement via military powers.
The first graduates of West Point were trained in civil engineering as much as they were in military strategy. The books focuses on Montgomery C. Meigs (1816 to 1892), a total legend by all accounts who built monuments, public works (aqueducts, bridges etc.) and served as Quartermaster General of the US Army during and after the American Civil War. Montgomery C. Meigs was by all accounts a very civilised, progressive, noble and talented individual.
The great thing about Schama’s writing in this book (the first that I have read) is the way he identifies individuals and uses them to convey the events of the day. It makes reading history very engaging.
The book deals in detail with the abolitionist movement and the multi-culturalisation of North America, covering the experience of Mexicans, the native Americans, Chinese immigrants, the Irish and African Americans.
I thought Schama sat on the fence somewhat in his analysis of the American military machine while acknowledging that the military basically exists to fulfil the nation’s desire to consume, conquer, extend its borders and enslave. In other words to look after its own.
He takes the view that anything can happen in America and leaves us on a hopeful note in relation to the likely use of its power (diminishing as it is). On finishing this book, I immediately purchased ‘A History of Britain – At the Edge of the World?‘ by the same author. If you’ve read it please don’t tell me what happens.
Lets hope that sane people remain at the helm in the United States for the foreseeable future.
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