Americanness: Inquiries into the Thought and Culture of the United States

Americanness: Inquiries into the Thought and Culture of the United States explores shared ideas and ideals that drive an overarching American worldview, including individualism, mobility, materialism, and future-orientation. It investigates America's victory culture, its relationship with football, and consumerism driven by individual prosperity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Americanness: Inquiries into the Thought and Culture of the United States delves into the intricate tapestry of the American experience, exploring the profound themes that unite Americans despite their remarkable diversity. Written by Simon J. Bronner, this comprehensive work examines shared ideas and ideals that shape the overarching American worldview, including individualism, mobility, materialism, and a future-oriented perspective. Bronner's exploration begins with an insightful examination of space and time as they have evolved throughout the history of the United States, leading him to examine the emergence of modern American culture. He delves into the reasons why America is often characterized as a nation that celebrates victory, extending its influence to the American legal, military, and business complexes. Bronner further analyzes this victory culture by examining the country's deep-rooted relationship with football, a sport that thrives in America but has yet to gain widespread popularity in other parts of the world. Finally, the volume explores American consumerism, driven by a relentless pursuit of individual prosperity within a society that purports to be egalitarian. Bronner employs interdisciplinary approaches drawn from psychology, sociology, ethnology, and history to unravel the complex dynamics behind the invocation and evocation of ideas that are perceived as American.

This book is a valuable resource for courses on American history, sociology, cultural studies, and American studies, offering students a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nation's thought and culture. By examining the shared ideas and ideals that connect Americans, Bronner provides a deeper appreciation of the complex factors that shape the American experience, fostering a more informed and empathetic perspective on the world.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138320987