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When America Stopped Being Great

A History of the Present

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When America Stopped Being Great

By: Nick Bryant
Narrated by: Ben Chapple
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About this listen

The presidency of Donald Trump is commonly seen as an historical accident. In When America Stopped Being Great, Nick Bryant argues that it was almost historically inescapable.

In this highly personal account, drawing on decades of covering Washington for the BBC, Bryant shows how the billionaire capitalised on the mistakes of his five predecessors - Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama - and how also he became a beneficiary of a broken politics, an iniquitous economy, an ailing media, a facile culture, disruptive new technology and the creation of a modern-day presidency that elevated showmanship over statesmanship.

Not only are we seeing the emergence of a post-American world, Bryant fears we are witnessing the emergence of a post-American America. The aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, when Donald Trump refused to accept defeat and incited his supporters to storm the US Capitol, revealed the country's chronic state of disunion.

The history of Donald Trump's rise is also the history of America's fall.




©2020 Nick Bryant (P)2020 Penguin Random House Australia Americas Politics & Government United States World American History Socialism Capitalism Franklin D Roosevelt Middle East Iran Liberalism

Critic Reviews

'An elegant and insightful dissection of how a great nation lost its footing and the world's respect. The tragedy is made all the more stark by the genuine love of America in Nick Bryant's writing' - Leigh Sales

'Nick Bryant writes like a dream, and is one of those very rare things on TV - a man who makes you want to turn up the sound. His eye for description is sublime, and he has a way of showing you what you've been missing from the whole story, whilst never leaving you feeling stupid' - Emily Maitlis

'Bryant is a genuine rarity - a Brit who understands America' - The Washington Post
All stars
Most relevant  
great summation of how we got to USA 2020. well researched and a good interpretation of the facts.

how we got here.

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Hugely insightful, unsettling, fascinating, wry, frank, erudite. Looking forward to the next ‘chapter’ because, surely, the only way forward for the US can be up.

Hugely insightful

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The final chapters are a brilliant summary of the dysfunction that is modern America under Trump and what is now the so-called "Republican Party". However the real strength of this book is the non-partisan analysis of the recent modern history, politics and culture that led to the US becoming the Disunited States. As another author said (I can't remember who) Trump is not only the problem, but a symptom of the problem with modern America. Great journalism and well-written work by Nick Bryant.

Excellent and insightful

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The Australian narrator with his noos and Noo York sounded rather forced. It also appeared at times as if he was unsure of the content he was reading.

Narrator detracted from the story

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Good unvarnished look at the more recent American presidencies. I would say it's a fair recount and none of them are let of easily for their own, very consequential, failings at their job.

Let's see where they go from here.

Great and non partisan

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This books adds a critical perspective and context to the Trump drama. It provides an historical overview and creates a relief from the wealth of intense commentary. It is one of the few books that help see Trump as an outcome of a Trend and not a wild card norm shatter. The norm has been decaying to the point it has crumbled under a determined assault.

Essential background to the current US crisis

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As an Australian, it was good to get into a deeper discussion about the US and how they would ever end up with president like Trump. Some really insightful theories and good research makes this worth a listen. Narration (Australian) was really good. I would recommend this book but have an open mind, he swings mainly left but there are a lot of uncomfortable truths which are hard to argue with.

Interesting perspective, worth reading

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This should be reread by the author or someone else. Terrible pronunciation, voice and inflection. Give it a miss!

Horrendous Reader - Completely ruins this great book

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