Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History
Kurt Andersen
Sep 2017 · Sold by Random House
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17 reviews
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About this ebook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of Evil Geniuses comes an electrifying, provocative history of American delusion—“an important book for understanding America in the age of Trump” (Walter Isaacson, author of Elon Musk).
“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
A SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
How did we get here?
In this sweeping, eloquent history of America, Kurt Andersen demonstrates what’s happening in our country today. This strange, post-truth, “fake news” moment we’re all living through is not something entirely new, but rather the ultimate expression of our national character and path. America was founded by wishful dreamers, magical thinkers, and true believers, by hucksters and their suckers. Believe-what-ever-you-want fantasy is deeply embedded in our DNA. From the Salem witch trials to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, from P. T. Barnum to Hollywood, from our fetish for guns to our obsession with extraterrestrials, our peculiar love of the fantastic has made America exceptional in a way that we’ve never fully acknowledged.
Written with gleeful erudition and tell-it-like-it-is ferocity, Fantasyland could not appear at a more perfect moment for understanding the politics and culture of twenty-first-century America, and how the lines between reality and illusion have become dangerously blurred.
“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
A SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
How did we get here?
In this sweeping, eloquent history of America, Kurt Andersen demonstrates what’s happening in our country today. This strange, post-truth, “fake news” moment we’re all living through is not something entirely new, but rather the ultimate expression of our national character and path. America was founded by wishful dreamers, magical thinkers, and true believers, by hucksters and their suckers. Believe-what-ever-you-want fantasy is deeply embedded in our DNA. From the Salem witch trials to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, from P. T. Barnum to Hollywood, from our fetish for guns to our obsession with extraterrestrials, our peculiar love of the fantastic has made America exceptional in a way that we’ve never fully acknowledged.
Written with gleeful erudition and tell-it-like-it-is ferocity, Fantasyland could not appear at a more perfect moment for understanding the politics and culture of twenty-first-century America, and how the lines between reality and illusion have become dangerously blurred.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of Evil Geniuses comes an electrifying, provocative history of American delusion—“an important book for understanding America in the age of Trump” (Walter Isaacson, author of Elon Musk).
“A frighteningly convincing and sometimes uproarious pi...
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Ratings and reviews
17 reviews
Sebastian Stoker
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May 19, 2019
Stunningly revelatory, with regular sharp shocks, this book is a must read considering the state of western culture and society -- our long slide into solipsism and stupidity. Sure, the focus here is America, but most "first-world" countries are not that far behind the U.S.A. in fondness for self-indulgent fantasy. Be warned: you are more than likely to be challenged on your own ignorance about what turns out to be long-established trends, and easy acceptance of what is actually utter nonsense.
6 people found this review helpful
Daina Seals-Bickham
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September 5, 2018
This book perfectly sums up not only our current situation but how we got there. Truly brings it all into perspective. Do yourself a favor and read it, you won't regret it!
4 people found this review helpful
Louis Rosas-Guyon
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January 7, 2018
The book chronicles the history of fantastic, magical thinking from the early settlers in North America through the modern day. Don't think for a moment the author pulls any punches either, because he even called me out on my own magical thinking and forced me to admit it too. This book should be required reading in every critical thinking class because he shows how seductive magical thinking can be, and why we need to fight back to keep ourselves grounded in reality despite the endless onslaught of bunk.
5 people found this review helpful
About the author
Kurt Andersen is the bestselling author of Evil Geniuses, Fantasyland and the novels True Believers, Heyday andTurn of the Century, among other books. He contributes to The New York Times and was host and co-creator of Studio 360, the Peabody Award–winning public radio show and podcast. He also writes for television, film, and the stage. Andersen co-founded Spy magazine, served as editor in chief of New York, and was a cultural columnist and design critic for Time, New York and The New Yorker. He graduated from Harvard College and lives in Brooklyn.
Kurt Andersen is the bestselling author of Evil Geniuses, Fantasyland and the novels True Believers, Heyday andTurn of the Century, among other books. He contributes to The New York Times and was host and co-creator of Studio 360, the Peabody Award–winning public radio show and podcast. He also w...
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