At a time when so many cracks have emerged within the imagined community of ‘the West', this important new book, by one of the leading social scientists in Europe, examines the intellectual history of comparing Europe and the United States. Claus Offe considers the perspectives adopted by three of Europe’s greatest social scientists – Alexis de Tocqueville, Max Weber and Theodor W. Adorno – in their comparative writings on Europe. While traveling, studying and working in the US, all three constantly looked back to their European origins, trying to decipher from their American experience what the future may hold for Europe, be it for better or worse. Alexis de Tocqueville, the French aristocrat, observed the functioning of American democracy with a mix of admiration, envy and deep concerns about the fate of liberty in the ‘democratic age'. Max Weber, the German sociologist, reported enthusiastically about the youthful energy he found in the United States, which, however, he saw as gradually succumbing to the stifling tendencies of European bureaucratization. Theodor W. Adorno, the critical theorist and refugee from Nazi Germany, observed with a sense of despair the workings of the American ‘culture industry’ which he equated to the totalitarian experience of Europe, only to switch to a much more favorable picture upon his return to Germany. Europe and the US are conventionally assumed to share the same trajectory and develop according to some common pattern of ‘occidental rationalism', with the observed differences resulting from mere lags and relative advances on one side or the other. In this insightful book, Offe questions the relevance of this paradigm to transatlantic relations today.

In this captivating exploration of America's most cherished national parks, discover the profound emotional connections that have inspired generations of visitors. Through personal reflections and captivating prose, this book transports you to breathtaking landscapes that have shaped our national identity and touched the human spirit. Embark on a journey that unveils the majesty of Yosemite's granite peaks, the ethereal beauty of Acadia's rugged coastline, and the serene stillness of Shenandoah's ancient forests. Immerse yourself in narratives that weave together history, ecology, and personal anecdotes, revealing the transformative power of these natural wonders. The book delves into the problems facing our national parks today, such as climate change, overcrowding, and commercialization. It proposes thoughtful solutions, highlighting the need for conservation, responsible tourism, and stewardship. Written for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone seeking solace and inspiration in the wild, this book offers a rich tapestry of experiences and insights. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic value of these treasured landscapes and a renewed sense of wonder at the boundless beauty of the American wilderness. As you close the pages of this evocative work, you will carry with you a heightened awareness of the profound connections that bind us to our natural heritage. Landscapes of the Heart will ignite a passion for preserving these majestic spaces and inspire you to share their transformative power with generations to come.

Wright -- "A closed fist" from Spirals (for violin, viola, and cello) / Judith Lang Zaimont.

This collection takes the issue that most divides this country and moves it to the quiet, intimate stories of people from across the country. This collection isn't meant to advocate a position. Instead, we want the personal stories and reflections from people who come from diverse backgrounds and want to share their American story.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

A Dragon Child: Reflections of a Daughter of Annam in America is the story of a Vietnamese Catholic raised within the structure of the French colonial system. Her upbringing was somewhat privileged as the daughter of a provincial administrator in the central highlands of Vietnam. As a child, and later as a young woman, she embraced French culture and aspired to French ideals. She was educated at a French boarding school for the children of the elite. Subsequently she received a degree in French teaching from the University of Saigon and became a lycee teacher and administrator. In 1975, she left on one of the last military planes accompanied by her four children and entered a new life as a refugee in the U.S. She ultimately resettled in Western Massachusetts. She then went back to school and obtained her Ph.D. in Francophone literature. After seeing to her children's education she began her academic career and started to teach French in the Five College academic community. She has fulfilled the "American dream" as have her children. In the process she has rediscovered her cultural roots and has helped others to negotiate the same path.

A collection of essays offering a Catholic point of view on a broad range of contemparary issues.

The New York Times bestseller that reminded us what it means to be an American is more timely than ever in this updated and enlarged edition, including "Schlesinger's Syllabus," an annotated reading list of core books on the American experience. The classic image of the American nation — a melting pot in which differences of race, wealth, religion, and nationality are submerged in democracy — is being replaced by an orthodoxy that celebrates difference and abandons assimilation. While this upsurge in ethnic awareness has had many healthy consequences in a nation shamed by a history of prejudice, the cult of ethnicity, if pressed too far, threatens to fragment American society to a dangerous degree. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner in history and adviser to the Kennedy and other administrations, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., is uniquely positioned to wave the caution flag in the race to a politics of identity. Using a broader canvas in this updated and expanded edition, he examines the international dimension and the lessons of one polyglot country after another tearing itself apart or on the brink of doing so: among them the former Yugoslavia, Nigeria, even Canada. Closer to home, he finds troubling new evidence that multiculturalism gone awry here in the United States threatens to do the same. "One of the most devastating and articulate attacks on multiculturalism yet to appear."—Wall Street Journal "A brilliant book . . . we owe Arthur Schlesinger a great debt of gratitude."—C. Vann Woodward, New Republic