In 'Fantasyland', Kurt Andersen explores the strange evolution of American culture, tracing how fantasy and reality intertwine throughout history. He examines the rise of magical thinking, from the founding of the nation to the present day, illustrating how the U.S. became a land where the extraordinary is commonplace. Through insightful anecdotes and historical analysis, Andersen reveals the impact of this fantastical mindset on politics, business, and personal belief systems. With wit and a keen eye for detail, he challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of truth and reality in a world increasingly dominated by illusion. Why did Americans embrace make-believe, and what does it mean for the future? Dive into this thought-provoking narrative to uncover the roots of our collective imagination.
By Kurt Andersen
Published: 2018
"In this land of make-believe, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, reminding us that the stories we tell ourselves shape the very world we inhabit."
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The single most important explanation, and the fullest explanation, of how Donald Trump became president of the United States . . . nothing less than the most important book that I have read this year.”—Lawrence O’Donnell How did we get here? In this sweeping, eloquent history of America, Kurt Andersen shows that what’s happening in our country today—this post-factual, “fake news” moment we’re all living through—is not something new, but rather the ultimate expression of our national character. America was founded by wishful dreamers, magical thinkers, and true believers, by hucksters and their suckers. Fantasy is deeply embedded in our DNA. Over the course of five centuries—from the Salem witch trials to Scientology to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, from P. T. Barnum to Hollywood and the anything-goes, wild-and-crazy sixties, from conspiracy theories to our fetish for guns and obsession with extraterrestrials—our love of the fantastic has made America exceptional in a way that we've never fully acknowledged. From the start, our ultra-individualism was attached to epic dreams and epic fantasies—every citizen was free to believe absolutely anything, or to pretend to be absolutely anybody. With the gleeful erudition and tell-it-like-it-is ferocity of a Christopher Hitchens, Andersen explores whether the great American experiment in liberty has gone off the rails. Fantasyland could not appear at a more perfect moment. If you want to understand Donald Trump and the culture of twenty-first-century America, if you want to know how the lines between reality and illusion have become dangerously blurred, you must read this book. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE “This is a blockbuster of a book. Take a deep breath and dive in.”—Tom Brokaw “[An] absorbing, must-read polemic . . . a provocative new study of America’s cultural history.”—Newsday “Compelling and totally unnerving.”—The Village Voice “A frighteningly convincing and sometimes uproarious picture of a country in steep, perhaps terminal decline that would have the founding fathers weeping into their beards.”—The Guardian “This is an important book—the indispensable book—for understanding America in the age of Trump.”—Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci
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“In this land of make-believe, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, reminding us that the stories we tell ourselves shape the very world we inhabit.”
Fantasyland
By Kurt Andersen
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Kurt Andersen is an acclaimed American writer, journalist, and cultural commentator, known for his keen insights into contemporary society and culture. He is the author of several notable works, including "Heydey," a novel that explores the complexities of American life in the 1960s, and "True Believers," which intricately weaves together themes of belief and idealism. Andersen's writing is characterized by its rich prose, sharp wit, and a unique blend of humor and seriousness, often reflecting his deep understanding of historical context and modern dilemmas. Additionally, he is a co-founder of the New York City-based radio program Studio 360, which delves into the intersection of culture and creativity.
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