American Vertigo Mike Rappaport

I bought Bernard Henry Levi’s American Vertigo, a book about the French philosopher’s journey through the US, and plan to read it.  But this review by Brian Anderson seems devestating. 

Lévy s parochialism is nowhere more evident than when he offers the Democrats a new platform to propel the party back into power, including a renewed commitment to Enlightenment rationalism against religious fundamentalism and a new New Deal of massive government programs for the poor. Does Lévy really think that transforming the Democrats into European-style social democrats would appeal to Americans? Taking such advice could only drive the party deeper into the political wilderness.

This myopia makes an especially dramatic contrast with the example of Lévy s famed forebear, Tocqueville. The French aristocrat came to our shores open to what the American experiment in democracy could teach France, especially about preserving liberty in an age of equality. But BHL never troubles to consider what the American model with its vigorous market economy, social mobility, and respect for religious faith might offer to statist and relentlessly secularist Europe, with its stagnant welfare economies and alienated and increasingly radicalized Muslims. Like so many literary travelers before him, Lévy came to America and found only himself. 

Still, browsing parts of the book revealed interesting little details about the country that should make it worthwhile reading.  And it should also give me some insight into the strange culture that is Europe.