What I Saw in America


Read by Ray Clare

(4.3 stars; 57 reviews)

“Let me begin my American impressions with two impressions I had before I went to America. One was an incident and the other an idea; and when taken together they illustrate the attitude I mean. The first principle is that nobody should be ashamed of thinking a thing funny because it is foreign; the second is that he should be ashamed of thinking it wrong because it is funny.” (Gilbert Keith Chesterton) (9 hr 54 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01 Part 1 What is America 19:00 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 01 Part 2 What is America 16:45 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 02 Part 1 Medidation in a New York Hotel 14:50 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 02 Part 2 Medidation in a New York Hotel 14:02 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 03 Part 1 A Meditation in Broadway 15:54 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 03 Part 2 A Meditation in Broadway 11:38 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 04 Part 1 Irish and Other Interviewers 15:53 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 04 Part 2 Irish and Other Interviewers 15:56 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 05 Part 1 Some American Cities 17:24 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 05 Part 2 Some American Cities 15:04 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 06 Part 1 In the American Country 17:08 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 06 Part 2 In the American Country 16:09 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 07 Part 1 The American Business Man 16:37 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 07 Part 2 The American Business Man 15:45 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 07 Part 3 The American Business Man 13:24 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 08 Part 1 Presidents and Problems 12:26 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 08 Part 2 Presidents and Problems 14:58 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 08 Part 3 Presidents and Problems 19:49 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 09 Part 1 Prohibition in Fact and Fancy 16:05 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 09 Part 2 Prohibition in Fact and Fancy 18:49 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 10 Part 1 Fads and Public Opinion 17:54 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 10 Part 2 Fads and Public Opinion 18:25 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 11 The Extraordinary American 22:45 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 12 The Republican in the Ruins 25:30 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 13 Is the Atlantic Narrowing? 25:43 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 14 Lincoln and Lost Causes 23:27 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 15 Part 1 Wells and the World State 18:04 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 15 Part 2 Wells and the World State 18:53 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 16 A New Martin Chuzzlewit 26:30 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 17 The Spirit of America 25:33 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 18 The Spirit of England 27:32 Read by Ray Clare
Chapter 19 The Future of Democracy 27:06 Read by Ray Clare

Reviews


(2 stars)

I did enjoy the story of the elevator. I believe most of the criticism stems from his unbelief in Capitalism and the US Constitution. He begins with hotels and it's repetitive model; the billboard lights; describes the waiters as robotic. Those under it's spell are small minded. His hope is this would dissapate as the years go by. Boy, he would be shocked to see that it has spread world wide, though it's not credited to capitalism. America perfect? No. It's way better than what most critics say. When things go wrong, what country is called for help?


(5 stars)

If Americans would look at what they have as thoughtfully as Chesterton they might come to appreciate it for the delicate thing that it is and work a little more at protecting it rather than using its freedoms as self-serving license. Great read.

Best of Chesterton


(5 stars)

I think this is the most insightful of all of Chesterton, touching on the fundamental problems of globalism. Just as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.


(4.5 stars)

Chesterton writes about the strengths and weaknesses of period American democracy, taking many opportunities along the way to critique capitalism, progressivism, internationalism, and H. G. Wells.

Outside Perspective on America


(4 stars)

Chesterton's discussion of what he saw on his trip to America blends his usual wit with his profound insight.

well worth a read


(4 stars)

very insightful; one never can see one's own country from the same perspective as an outsider.

Very well read and i renewed appreciation for Mr Chesterson


(5 stars)


(5 stars)

Best outsider view of America since Democracy in America