Robert CullenRezensionen

This anthology includes a pretty wide range of viewpoints and ideas about topics like gender relations, education and race - from Rick Santorum to Thoreau. There certainly is a leftward slant, as the conservative writers included really only create the barest semblance of balance. Rereading America really hits its stride in the last section, where our concept of democracy is discussed in light of the War on Terror. Provocative questions are raised - things that might shock kids out of complacency.

From this book, now retitled "Citizen X," I learned more about Soviet and Russian culture and everyday life than I ever did from the many somber and glacial tomes that adopted the sociological approach. The psychological make up of the killer, Andrei Chikatilo, and the inherent inability of the Soviet system to catch or even promptly search for him was also fascinating. There are a number of other books about Chikatilo which I have not read, one per serial killer being more than adequate for me, but this one presents him in an understandable, even sympathetic way.

Very enlightening. I enjoyed listening to this book.

Very enlightening. I enjoyed listening to this book.

I liked this book a lot.
The subject is a sad one, but when you look past that, the story of the man hunt, putting the pieces of the puzzle together, the determination of the person in pursuit is a great one. Add to that the back ground information on Russia in the Soviet period and for me this book had just the right mix to make it kind of irresistable.

Elisabeth Bergner is an extremely good actress but speaks with a German accent.

2445 Twilight of Empire: Inside the Crumbling Soviet Bloc, by Robert Cullen (read 7 May 1992) This is by a Newsweek journalist written in 1988 to 1991 about what he saw in Romania, Moscow, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Trans-Caucasus, It was written before the attempted coup of August 1991 so did not include that momentous event. These pieces are good journalism, but not history, in my view.

Quite simply this book is a collection of essays or excerpts tackling a variety of issues surrounding the "mythology" of America. The offerings are grouped according to a theme: family (specifically the myth of the 1950s nuclear family), education (as a means to "success"), upward mobility, gender, the melting pot, and America as a "Land of Liberty." Every section basically follows the same loose formula-1.) an essay that epitomizes the myth or something old-school that the myth may have originated from 2.)then there will be an essay that almost directly refutes that myth or at least pokes a lot of holes. 3.)The following selections are mostly progressive/liberal leaning, but a couple conservative pieces are offered in each section that I believe only look more foolish in juxtaposition with the other selections..this seems fairly intentional. 4.)A small collection of photographs are also included in each section.

I found this book in a free pile at used textbook store in Southern California, and honestly most people who have gone to college and maybe taken at least one social science class will probably be familiar with most of these topics. I think many people of my generation already know that gender is fluid, racism is still an issue, and the nuclear family is almost an anomaly. However, I still found this book to be a very interesting and sometimes refreshing read. I really liked reading essays dealing with education as a means of socialization first and foremost above learning, and especially an essay detailing a compelling and justified call for black reparations. I also just liked being exposed to new (to me) nonfiction writers. With all of the short selections, its kinda like eating addicting snacks...maybe not super enlightening (or nourishing), but satisfying in the short term.