Published in 1996, Michener comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the United States and provides recommendations for improvements. He covers a wide variety of topics including economics, politics, art, education, race relations, heroes, health care, class divides, and much more. It is interesting to look back at how many issues he identified and trace the trajectory of what has happened since that time. He made several predictions that have come to pass. Some issues have become even more pronounced in the intervening years. He comments on the importance of education and the arts, the widening gap between the rich and poor, and other trends. It is well-written and structured. It will appeal to those interested in the history of social, political, and economic issues in the US. ( )

Being a mildly interesting contemplation of the state of American life by an old man who surely knew that his days were not long. The quality of the author's reflections and the validity of his opinions seem to matter less, in retrospect, than the realization one gains from the book of how seldom this sort of big picture of society and politixs over the course of a lifetime are written any more. Routine in the mid-century, they are rare these days; the author tries very hard to stay with large topics which date less easily, but in retrospect some of them do seem somewhat flavor of the month. As such, it's a praiseworthy book, but perhaps more to be appreciated than enjoyed. ( )

Michener was warning us in 1996 (a year before he died) of many of our nation's most vexing problems, and the consequences of not addressing them effectively. It is disturbing to note that most of these problems have only gotten worse in subsequent years. An unabashed liberal, he was a patriot who cared enough to raise awareness of, and offer solutions to, these threats to our country's well-being. He has much to say that is relevant today about wealth disparity, race relations, our educational system, health care, our manufacturing industry, consumerism, the value of art in our society and family values.

He is a great novelist, but I am very much disappointed in this "Vision for America." Although he makes some profound points about our problems, his "solutions" are no more than statements about what he things should ideally happen. Moreover, he takes a generally liberal approach while admittedly not knowing exactly how these ideas will work. Toward the end, he reveals that this book was inspired in response to the "Republican Revolution." In fairness, James Michener has seen a lot of history and experienced as many cultures as just about anyone. So he has a right to comment on the topic. He does adequately refute anyone who calls him "un-American" because of his agenda. And I do see validity in his points about the impending malaise of our economic status in the international market, as well as the strong probability of major racial upheaval in the next century. However, the other policies he advocates seem to lack a basis in logic. Universal health care is in principle a good thing, but I do not believe an unfounded criticism against he profit-seeking health care industry is the answer. His advocacy of gun control is based on commonly misused statistics and unrepresentative of the founding principles Michener understands well. He does make a powerful argument for the value of the social safety net, but against a stark picture of an ever-growing welfare culture, a something-must-be-done-and-surely-some-economists-can-do-it attitude is inadequate for the task at hand. Michener sees a noble land and no one portrays it better than he does. While he did affect my thinking in some areas, he does not have the answers. ( )