A review of Strange But True America by John Hafnor. An excerpt from Made in America: A Social History of American Culture and Character by Claude S. Fischer. The essence of anarchy: Sean Wilentz on America's long, sordid affair with nullification. From our cold, dead hands: America's gun culture is a symptom of its deep political malaise. Why we should worry about political violence: A review of American Homicide by Randolph Roth. In a contest for most awful political culture, it’s heartening to see that state spirit rings so strong from sea to shining sea. A Tale of Two Cities: Washington and Hollywood, both tone-deaf to American attitudes. American Bling: Stefany Anne Golberg on the dreamworld of America's shiny, sparkly aesthetic. An article on the curse of bigness — or business as usual in America the vulnerable. A review of Elsewhere, U.S.A.: How We Got from the Company Man, Family Dinners, and the Affluent Society to the Home Office, BlackBerry Moms, and Economic Anxiety by Dalton Conley. From New Geography, Robert J. Cristiano on the changing landscape of America: The automobile, home building and energy industries, the roller coaster recession, the state of commercial real estate, multigenerational housing, the fate of Detroit, the failed state of California, and deconstruction as the fate of America; and Richard Morrill on a pessimistic and an optimistic forecast for the United States. The Troubles: Declinists have always projected America's imminent demise — for a change, they're onto something. Everyone loves comparing the U.S. to Rome — they've been doing it, in fact, for more than 200 years (and more). The comeback country: How America pulled itself back from the brink — and why it's destined to stay on top.
