I wish writers like Flynn were just a bit more gentle with their titles, Not PC, just not lowering themselves and not being inciting for publicity.Otherwise this is a fine book that really tries to analyze why the left works so hard against the country that allows and sometimes even encourages them to exist. It is filled with great examples,sometimes a bit heavy handed in presentation, that does prove the point. His chapter on what is right about America is borderline brilliant making me wish every loudmouth Hollywood uneducated lout would start out with "America has made me rich,and I am very happy to not be imprisoned for complaining but...". Very happy someone tossed me this to read, read it for yourself and just look around for day to day proof that the left is a real and grave danger to democracy,and that those within our country are working too hard to help those who wish to destroy us completely. Authors note: The Far Right is also a danger, plenty of good books on that you can read also...

This book is an excellent explanation of why there is so much Anti-Americanism and even hatred towards America and Americans.A lot of this hatred today is directed towards President Bush and any and all leaders in the Republican Party.This Anti-Americanism resides not only with the Liberals,Socialists,and those to the left of center in political thinking among the Democrats ,but also with the same types outside the United States ;particularly in Europe and right here in Canada.
The author quotes the words of Leftists themselves to show the depth of idology they have in their desire to see the downfall of America.
Their ideology necessitates that everything good about America is in direct opposition to what the Left touts in theory;but is refuted in practice. Rather than revise their inept theories,the Left lashes out at the nation that disproves them.
Communism ,Socialism, Fascism,and other isms are evil in nature and have proven to be utter failures whenever they have gained control over those they purport to serve. Yet a small number of elites still hold to these dark,failed and evil ideologies for the simple reason that it is in tryanny,suffering and failure that they look for hope.
The West and United States has been ,and until something better than Democracy,Freedom and Liberty and Faith in a Supreme Being comes along;these concepts will remain the hope for Mankind in the future;not the failed isms that the Left continue to offer.
There are ancient words that are appropriately applied to the Left;

"One who deceives will always find those who allow themselve to be
deceived."
There is very little in this book that does not apply to Canada as well;and in many cases even more so.
It is a very rare thing to find anyone here who does not spew out a line of Anti- Americanism.This is particularly prominent with people associated with schools,universities and the media.The numbers of Leftists quotes in these areas in the United States do dot surprise me at all;and I suspect the numbers would be even higher here in Canada.
The author's comments about Multiculturalism hit home here as well. It has been entrenched so deeply that any discussion about its merits are virtually verbotten. Dual Citizenships,split national allegiances,Hyphenated Loyalties etc., were not what made America the shining light in the world;and these same things are causing deep-rooted divisions in Canada.
The words that define America,Life,Liberty,and the Pursuit of Happiness were not adopted here.Canada chose Peace,Order and Good Government;quite different values. One set is meant to serve the people while the other is to govern people.
If you love your country and believe in the values that the founders of America did,and by the way not all Canadians are Leftists,this book will give you the other side of the arguments you continually hear from Leftists,regardless of how much they pretend that they don't hate Aamerica;its just the things that America and people Like Bush do. Hold on to this book,Bush will be gone in a couple of years.The Anti-Americanism won't disappear,regardless of who or even what party replaces him.
If you really want to know what is wrong in the West;look no further than the ideologies of the Left.

So why does the Left hate America?

The answer is that America stands as a massive refutation of every pet
theory the Left has ever had."

I began reading this book unsure of what I'd encounter. I knew I was tired of hearing "how awful the United States is!"...from Americans!! And I knew that the general consensus outside the States was that "we" are deserving of having our chickens come home to roost!! I was pretty much descouraged about the growing antiAmericanism I lived with daily.

Daniel Flynn is an excellent writer and thinker! He deftly describes how much of what I am feeling, what all Americans face every day...and most importantly...what our younger generations are taught from the time they enter school, is all a concerted effort on the part of American Leftists to undermine our country. IT IS NOT PARANOIA IF THEY REALLY ARE AFTER YOU!

Flynn leads us through all of the issues and lies the Left doesn't want you to know. He gives you information that you can use to "reeducate" your children & yourself, and makes you feel good about everything this wonderful country stands for!

Most importantly Daniel FLynn gives us "Chapter 6: America's True Legacy." This is the chapter in his book that blows away every Leftist accusation there is! Clearly and concisely Flynn ennumerates all of the amazing and unparelleled "gifts" America has brought to the World. I now feel great again about my country - and strong enough to fight off any Leftist threat!

This book should be required reading! Way to go Dan! I can't wait for your next book

bigeasy51

Author Daniel Flynn is a man who feels strongly about America's place in world history, its legacy, and its contributions to world culture. He doesn't appreciate it when people attack the USA from within and in this book he explains what he feels are the root causes and the motives of those who engage in this type of behavior on a regular basis. Originally published in 2002 and then updated in 2004, this provocative book challenges the positions taken by those on the so- called "Left", with the author explaining why he feels the activism of these people is not only wrong, but also anti- American at its core.

One thing that should be explained right away is what the book means by the "Left", because I was confused by this at first. When I started to read, I thought the book was referring to today's Democratic Party when it attacked members of the Left, but this isn't quite the case. The group the book is referring to isn't your average, run of the mill Democrat. What the book is actually referring to are the more radical elements within the liberal sector: Those who feel the USA is to blame for most of the world's problems and who openly speak out against the place they call home whenever anything goes wrong in the world.

This book has a few good points to make in this book and positions on key criticisms are explained fairly well, even if the author is a little too brief and blunt at times. For example, I like the book's explanations about the tendency of feminists, minority rights activists, and others to exploit any little incident they can find, past or present, as a way to further their cause. These various groups do, indeed, make exaggerated claims on a regular basis and they are quick to blame the American system when something goes wrong. Many activists are guilty of this, and the book makes a valid complaint on this point. I also like his refutation of some of the pet theories of the "Left" and why they are so wrong, like the loathing of the system of capitalism even though it has created the world's wealthiest nation. These, and other topics like them, are defended well and what the book says makes good sense. These arguments can also be supported with facts, adding to their validity.

With the remainder of the book, the arguments are not as solid and the author tends to get carried away with his blind patriotism. The author doesn't directly admit it, but he seems to suggest that any criticism of government makes a person unpatriotic. To this, I must ask the author the obvious question: At what point does one stop accepting anything the government says or does as morally correct? Where does one draw the line? According to this book, no criticism is valid because the USA, while not perfect, has a better record than any other nation and that we, its citizens, should be grateful to live here and should sing our nation's praises on a daily basis. This blind patriotism seems very shortsighted and it makes me wonder if and when the author would consider the actions of government to be worthy of criticism.

Another thing about this book that is less than appealing is its extremist language. The book argues against liberal extremists, but the author feels so strongly about the "Left" and its anti- American sentiment that he sees no problem using some extreme talk of his own. Statements like "The Left slanders America" and "The Left despises capitalism" are made throughout this book and it starts to get a little irritating after a while. I can agree that there are some on the Left who really do feel this way, but I don't think words like "despises" and "slander" are accurate words to use when talking about the majority of the people who consider themselves members of the Left. I can agree, for example, that some members of the Left are against unequal economic status. But I don't think the majority of them would advocate eliminating capitalism to solve the problem.

The United States of America has offered much to the people of the world and to the progress of mankind. This book is correct when it points out the contributions made by Americans during the industrial age; the many inventions that were created at the hand of an American citizen; and the generosity of Americans toward others in the world during a natural disaster or other time of great need. The book takes pride with these accomplishments and there is no problem with that. But the book goes overboard when it speaks about patriotism like it is an obligation- a duty to which there are few if any exceptions. And to think differently, to criticize American government policy, makes one guilty of treason according to the line of reasoning used in this book.

The title used for this book and its blunt language are certain to get some people steaming mad and that is the way the author intended it. The book is a mixed bag as far as its content and message, so I'm going to give this book a rating of three stars and a recommendation, but not by much. It has some important points to make, yes. But I could have done without the author's self- righteousness and his tendency to generalize everyone on the Left as someone who despises his/her country.

A most pertinent and illuminating study.

Oh, and by the way, reviewer "T Neumayer karmanotdogma", I hate to break this to you, but your 5 so-called "facts" are actually opinions, not facts. "The earth revolves around the sun" is a fact. "Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream" is an opinion. See the difference?