A stunningly insightful account of the global political and economic system; sustained first by Britain and now by America; that has created the modern world. The key to the two countries' predominance; Mead argues; lies in the individualistic ideology inherent in the Anglo-American religion. Over the years Britain and America's liberal democratic system has been repeatedly challeged—by Catholic Spain and Louis XIV; the Nazis; communists; and Al Qaeda—and for the most part; it has prevailed. But the current conflicts in the Middle East threaten to change that record unless we foster a deeper understanding of the conflicts between the liberal world system and its foes.
#695395 in Books 2003-01-07 2003-01-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.20l; .52 #File Name: 0375701303320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Death of the American west-- an end of an era is chronicled --By FyrecurlBreaking Clean is a well written book with plenty of vivid scenes of the last American Frontier to be settled; and the end of the last pioneer families to settle our great northern plains; of hardpan and sagebrush; in big sky country; with gumbo roads that are blown over with ten foot drifts in the winter; and impassable mud swamps in spring. Blunt's honest portrayal of a glamor less life of poor ranch families who settled on homesteads in Montana during the turn of the century on land so hard and remote that it must grow its own replacements as it grows its own food; is both stunning; and unsettling; peeling back the austere notions that the world has had of cowboys; and ranch women over the years. In her memoir; Blunt chronicles her childhood; growing up with her siblings on a ranch in remote Montana; seventy miles from the nearest town. The ranching families battle; blizzards; prairie fires; extreme temperatures; boredom; monotony; ignorance and prejudice; and outside threats to their fading way of life. Her unique style of writing and voice; make the book a literary classic; with original; tart metaphors and similies; that bring the scenes into clear focus; and make her novel a real pleasure to read. The book deals with breaking clean from the gender stereo types that had evolved from a voluntary submissive position for women; who like their husbands had struggled on the land to achieve independence and autonomy; into an intolerable; involuntary servitude for women who suffered alongside their male partners eking out a living without any guarantee of security for the future. Blunt has created a masterpiece of literature that will surely become one of the great American novels of our time. I highly recommend this book.40 of 42 people found the following review helpful. Unflinching memoir of early marriage; hard life; courageBy KcornWhen Judy Blunt was only 15 she entered the only world she would imagine for herself - that of a farm wife (as her mother and grandmother had done before her). The memoir she wrote after finally breaking free of this life is not sentimental and doesn't ask for pity from the reader. It was the only life she'd known and plenty of people lived this way in Montana; expecting a rough life and bearing up to the hardships that came their way. But what Blunt does; as few writers can; is open her eyes and really look fully at the world; coming up with vivid; original descriptions of the animals; the land; the people around her. Those familiar with farm life may find their eyes reopened by Blunt's writing and those unfamiliar with it will simply love discovering this book. But I warn you - it isn't an easy read. There are plenty of farm accidents; bitter weather and descriptions of a community filled with people who don't have time for softness. They're too busy trying to get through each day and simply survive. What is amazing is that one person; Blunt herself; not only survived but ended up being an amazing writer; bringing alive the world she lived in.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Read!By FranThis is one book I will remember for a lifetime. This woman can write! Her discriptive phrasing and simplistic manner of dealing with challenges of everyday living on the ranch are very imaginative and captivating. Seemingly slow to start but packs a huge reward if you stick with it.I am wanting more books by her!She has been added to my heros list for her writing as well as what she has lived through.I just bought two more for my best friends.
