American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good

The subject could be of great interest to everybody but to inject politics into it right at the start means that at anytime there is a need to say something about a political aspect to a given story, the author will inject his political bias to the narrative. He insults Trump and his supporters by suggesting they are ignorant, racist, bigots or misogynists and to soften this claim saying "most are not". He puts emphasis on the need for a politician to occupy the Oval Office. True, all those who have occupied that office have been politicians, but have they really done all of what was expected of them? As Bill Bennet said "Sometimes we need a Mother Teresa, but other times we need a Dirty Harry.

I first was introduced to Woodard through his book "American Nations," which I thought was excellent. It introduced me to a more focused way of understanding regional differences in the US, beyond the obvious differences of North and South. This book follows that pattern of analysis as it focuses on individual liberty and the common good, on libertarianism and communitarianism, and how these dispositions affect voting patterns, habits of the heart, and even personality. It helped explain especially why different people and different regions vote as they do, and it isn't just because they are "baskets of deplorables."

This book can be very helpful when reflecting on why people of Tennessee, South Carolina and California vote as they do. And why people of north Pennsylvania may think differently from those of the southwestern part of the state and those from the Philadelphia area. All considered, I found the book very helpful and highly recommend it. It gives much insight into local, regional and national voting patterns.

Unfortunately, however, when considering solutions to the challenges the nation now faces, Woodard doesn't seem to be aware of the contribution that Catholic social teaching (CST) can make to his analysis and proposals. CST covers the great concerns of our day: the dignity of the person, the call to family, community and participation, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in society. It also considers the option for the poor and vulnerable, the dignity and rights of workers, solidarity, and even care for the environment. It's reflection on the human dignity, the common good, community, and subsidiarity are crucial to building a better society concerned about the welfare of all.

All considered, I find the book a very helpful analysis to help understand our culture and public policy issues.

I enjoyed the book and other works by this author, who has become one of my favorite historical writers. The information here is great, but a bit of left-leaning commentary comes through in places. As a libertarian-leaning individual, i admit, that grated a bit. But it is minor and the book is still full of great information and an important discussion on the greater good vs. personal liberty. And, it did make me reconsider some of my beliefs on the relationship of the masses and the government, adding the oligarchy into the mix, which I had not thought about sufficiently in the past.

If you haven't read this book, there is too much about American history, culture and politics you do not understand. It should be required reading.

This book (and its predecessor) should be essential reading for any American. Understanding people's differences will shift one's perspective and allow for compromise--which is desperately needed now. The author displays excellent scholarship and his writing is thoroughly comprehensive. Our collective history coalesces in an overarching framework that explains who we are and who we aren't within this book. I am certainly grateful to the author for his time and energy. Kind of a "mic drop" moment...

This is without a doubt the most erudite yet immensely readable explanation of how we have arrived at our current place in American history and politics. I wish it had been available to me years ago in graduate school for the course: "American Culture as the Foundation for Public Policy." Woodard is a superb writer with a knack for tying up loose ends and making sense out of history and historical personalities. I loved his previous book - "American Nations" but this one incorporates that theory of the North American Regions and brings it to its logical conclusion. I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in history and politics, regardless of which side of the political fence you straddle.

I am a huge fan of Woodard's "American Nations", having read and reread it several times, even underlining and taking notes as I went. I loved it's even handed examination of each Nation and their virtues as well as warts. I was hoping for more of the same in his examination of individual liberty and the common good. I wanted to see both sides presented fairly.

I was sorely disappointed.

Woodard immediately tips his political hand in the preface, He begins his book by railing against the Presidency of Donald Trump and the results of the 2016 election. His preface was written in November of 2016 - weeks before Trump even took office. There goes any hope of an even handed treatment of the subject matter! I am no fan of Donald Trump, but I bought this book for information, not political philosophy opinion. From there, every chapter is steeped in Woodard's unconcealed distain for conservatism, and his championing of liberal political ideals - under the guise of a doctrine of "fairness".

This is a book with some good information, and way too much of Woodard's political opinion. My regret is spending the money I did thinking both sides of this debate would be treated fairly.

I read American Nations by the same author and it gave me goose bumps of fear. I had not read a similar argument before, but I understood at once how true it was. I had had winkles of understanding previously that I had not been able to put together. This book is not just a hash of garbage, it rehashes a really, really old hash of garbage. I could have written it for a term paper from when I took civics in the 10th grade.
PS: I'm 75 years old.

Was hoping for a more scholarly and unbiased effort. From the preface “..... yet Trump won. While most of his supporters insisted they were not themselves racists, bigots, or misogynists, they decided it was not a deal breaker that their choice for President was all these things.”

This book both explains the issues confronting the U.S. today, and the roots, gestation, and fruits of the country's journey through to today. Then, thoughtfully, he offers a path forward without taking sides or castigating any of the actors.

Well Done!