Godfrey Hodgson (1934–2021)

Written by British commentator and frequent visitor to the United States, Godfrey Hodgson, this book lays down the reasons that America is both unexceptional and negatively exceptional. Unexceptional in its political philosophy and negatively exceptional in its social philosophy, America has created for itself an image and mantra of democracy and morality. However, underneath all of the rhetoric is a history that has displayed the opposite.

From the viewpoint of the history of Europe, the show more United States is but one piece of the story and one that has borrowed greatly from the European schools of thought from which it sprang. Somewhere along the line, though, the United States began to diverge from Europe and created its own way of doing things, not all of them beneficial to its own people or the world. While the 1950s brought new prosperity, it also brought in a sense of callousness towards those that do not fit into approved social criteria. The belief that the American way is the correct way has lead to political assumptions about the spread of democracy that have created tension worldwide.

Hodgson is clear and articulate. His sense of history and his viewpoint on the United States are enlightening. I also appreciated his direct approach:

"The purpose of this book is precisely to challenge the assumptions of what Miller called 'the uniqueness of the American experience.' Of course there have been rich and redemptive elements of the American experience that are characteristically American. But the thesis of this essay is not simply that history, as used for political purposes by John Quincy Adams, or Perry Miller, or Ronald Reagan, is bad history. It is also now proving dangerous, to the United States and to the world, to over-emphasize the exceptional nature of the American experience and the American destiny." (p. 9) show less

If there was ANYTHING you ever wanted to know about pre-Colonial North America, this is the book for you - and a goodly bit of the Politics of Western Europe as well! Climate change, annual rainfall, migration and speech patterns of the Native Americans... it's all here, and thoughtfully laid out and cited as well. Considering what was ~actually~ consumed at the First Thanksgiving, it's no wonder there was such a high death rate that Winter. I am quite impressed with the level of detail in show more the research that Mr. Hodgson did for this book, and his ability to tell a story.

I never have been a big fan of History as it is mainly about the exceptional people and giving you that "35,000 foot view". This book gives you that, AND the dirty laundry as well. There will be a few items within that are not pleasant to read if you're sensitive to the issue of 'cruelty to others'. Unfortunately, these events really did happen; fortunately it is documented in the book, but not to the point that the instances are dwelled upon.

I give high recommendations for A Great and Godly Adventure. Bits of it might be a tad tedious to read, but it's these background details that make you think. show less

Despite its title, the majority of this book was devoted to the history of the Plymouth settlers as opposed to the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The author concisely describes the religious differences that caused the settlers (separatists) to depart England, then the societal differences that caused them to leave Holland for "America." Well researched and readable, the author describes the earliest days of the colony- their initial struggle to gain a foothold, Indian relations, show more dealings with London investors and ultimately the later established colonies in Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut.

Personally, I found the author's final few chapters (devoted to the history of Thanksgiving) far less interesting.

Nonetheless, I recommend this book for anyone interested in early Colonial history. show less

The authors provide a great account of the rise and fall of Investors Overseas Services (IOS) from its involvement in the first mutual funds of the early 1960's to its eventual bankruptcy in the early 1970's. As they say, "The real lesson of the IOS story is an old one: it is that human communication is so fragile that a man can put out whatever propaganda he likes in his own interest and be sure that enough of it will be believed to make his fortune."

IOS was essentially Bernie Cornfeld and show more Edward Cowett using Cornfeld's sales line that they were the first to provide top class investment advice to the small man. The IOS funds used a committed and well paid international sales force to market this concept and it was the cost of this along with desperate performance chasing investments that eventually sank them.

This is one of my favourite books and just as enjoyable as Eichenwald's "Conspiracy of Fools" (Enron story) for the high quality research and stranger than fiction main characters. show less