Introduction
World history is one of the most controversial studies that will never reach a consensus in terms of the theoretical basis upon which it is built. Over the centuries, historians of different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs have been trying in vain to explain the patterns of the world order from their exclusive perspective. American history since the end of World War II has undergone some significant cultural, social, and political modifications that cannot be explained through the prism of plain logic. However, all of these changes could be united into a national paradigm with a notion of the American dream, notorious both within and outside the country.
Main body
Henry William Brands, a famous historian from the University of Texas, put a major effort into trying to classify the most significant events of US history in chronological order. In such a way, the researcher aimed at establishing a pattern of social development that eventually led to a revolutionary shift. Having spent years examining the lives of the country’s most notorious presidents, Brands has a quite exhaustive understanding of the events taking place during each presidential era. Hence, he tried to put this profound knowledge into the context of national history over the last seven decades.
The end of World War II was established as a primary research point because the outcome of one of the terrifying episodes in world history became a moment of American glory. The US was considered one of the few countries that managed to gain more power and better financial status once the war ended. However, Brands claims that while having no need in the war effort, ‘the world war segued almost seamlessly into the Cold War’, which made countries speak of preserving their national identity.
The post-war community of the United States depicted national integrity despite the differences, as the notion of capitalism at the time was not an issue to the extent it is interfering with society today. However, the author claims that with time, the American culture has made its preference towards the individual consumers’ needs satisfactions. One may assume that such a shift took place due to the fact the US leading position in the world market is now indisputable and hence, does not require national effort. According to Brands, the gap between generations lies in the fact that ‘the dreams of 1945 had been collectively ambitious but individually modest,’ whereas ‘those of 2010 were collectively modest and individually ambitious.’ Hence, the issue of an extremely high level of individualism has made the notion of the American dream nothing but a selfish craving for fulfillment.
Although the major idea of the book is a critical one, the author’s intention does not concern analyzing approaches to the American social evolution in order to define the most adequate one. Brands is more interested in creating an exhaustive narrative, which could potentially encourage conscious citizens to immerse themselves in the issue. It would be appropriate to mention that the author has successfully met his expectations towards the work. The depiction of the Americans’ history is written in such an understandable way that Brand’s writing skills sometimes even outweighed his advanced historical competence. Thus, it would not be appropriate to talk about the central argument of the book that is primarily focused on the representation of the historical chronicle followed by exhaustive commentary. The aspect of the book worth discussing is the author’s arguments concerning the impact American culture has on the world’s media, political, and cultural discourse. People from all over the world are now familiarizing themselves with the purely American perception of living pace that encouraged the emergence of the fast-food restaurant chains.
Another important idea relates to the fact of how democratic journalism and media are able to influence the world, creating a so-called ‘CNN effect.’ Even today, when the US is struggling with major issues concerning stigmatization, racism, and sexism, it remains one of the most liberal and open-minded states. Making thousands of people come to America to create a better future for themselves, the US still claims to preserve the idea of the never-ending American dream, romanticized by various authors and screenwriters. Such a tendency brings a reader to the point where they realize that the ideological notions remained quite similar to those of 1945, with their interpretations being constantly adjusted to the current reality.
Conclusion
Taking everything into consideration, American Dreams is a book dedicated to the meticulous observation of the things Americans, along with their nation, had to overcome in the course of world history. Bearing a significant value for its structure, the work will be interesting for practically anyone who at least once asked themselves how the world they live in today has reached a certain point. However, one should not take this book in order to find an answer to how American history works. Its primary purpose is to introduce the recipients to the sophisticated story behind an American dream, leaving it to the reader to find strength and desire to seek the answers themselves.
References
Brands, H.W. American Dreams: The United States since 1945. London: Penguin Books, 2010.