American politics and society today Book

A 1990's book that is of a type that makes you realize how much you do not know. The book is a collection of essays, magazine articles, speeches and other stuff. I enjoyed the author's observations about Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Tupac, and Princess Diana. There was much more in the book, but it is not necessarily a book for all ages. His commentary regarding the evolution of democracy is insightful and I totally agree with his "Hiroshima, Mon Amour". I found helpful the author's commentary about America and its: place in the world, contradictions, involvement in foreign places, and potential. I thought the author's observation that Americans are involved in a perpetual struggle of what should be against what is offered hope that America could still reach its potential. His comparison of John Ford's movies with the music of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington seemed a noble effort, but I did not get it. However, I enjoyed reading his effort at comparison. It helped that I had seen all the movies that were examined. Sometimes it seemed his writing, especially when writing about music, attained a lyrical quality with a 4/4 beat. While I may be over reaching here, I did have the feeling that he was writing to a beat. I was in awe by some of his "right-on" analogies. His perspectives, for me anyway, open up new ways of looking at things and were confirming of other things. I suspect the book will most likely resonate with an older reader (older reader or one who's hair is moving to gray). Although, his section on the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombing should be read by all.