Us vs. Them: American Political and Cultural Conflict from WWII to Watergate(American Visions: Readings in American Culture)

Culture. Politics. Thick, impenetrable tension. Post-1945 America. Professor Robert Bresler broaches these interwoven themes in Us vs. Them: American Political and Cultural Conflict from WWII to Watergate, a reader in the American Visions series. Offering a broad overview of the interrelationship of culture and politics in the second half of the twentieth century, Us vs. Them is an exploration of the historical roots of America's current cultural wars. In the extended essay that constitutes the first half of the book, Professor Bresler offers a seamless introduction to the intermingling of American politics and culture, from the rise of an American consensus in the immediate postwar period to its inevitable decline in the 1960s and early 1970s. Part II consists of documents and readings that illustrate and buttress Bresler's argument including political manifestos and excerpts from the works of major essayists such as Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Mary McCarthy, and Norman Podhoretz. Lending a flavor of contemporary debate, this documentary material allows an integrative approach to politics and culture. Valuable for instructors who want to blend political ideas and cultural controversy into their American studies, American history, or political science courses, Us vs. Them gives students a key to understanding contemporary cultural politics. This important compilation is a guide to post-1945 America that places the evolution of political institutions-the presidency, Congress, the courts-within a broad cultural context.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Part I Chapter 2 The Rise and Fall of the American Consensus Chapter 3 Suggestions for Further Reading Part 4 Part II Chapter 5 State of the Union Address Chapter 6 The Vital Center Chapter 7 A Republican Looks at His Party Chapter 8 A Call to Greatness Chapter 9 Mlle. Gulliver en Amérique Chapter 10 The Know-Nothing Bohemians Chapter 11 The Motion Picture Production Code Chapter 12 Farewell Address Chapter 13 Letter from Birmingham Jail Chapter 14 Commencement Address at American University Chapter 15 The Sharon Statement Chapter 16 The Port Huron Statement Chapter 17 Commencement Address at the University of Michigan Chapter 18 Trapped in a System Chapter 19 The New Mutants Chapter 20 Sex and Caste Chapter 21 The Watergate Charges: Protecting the National Security

About the Author :
Robert J. Bresler is professor of public policy at the School of Public Affairs, Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg.

Review :
This is a marvelous book. This anthology, full of lively selections, is graced by a most perceptive introduction. Bresler's treatment of cultural themes, as exemplified by movies, novels, and popular songs, makes the volume particularly suitable for students who have grown up in a 'media age.' Indeed, professors might well want to steal material for their lectures. A remarkable achievement. Bresler's work is original, unique, and balanced. His narrative covers the collapse of the American consensus as it emerged after World War II. In describing the seeds of discontent, Bresler tells a compelling story integrating popular culture and politics. It is finely crafted and supremely useful for teachers at nearly all levels. Even the most modest reference library will find this work essential. Bresler has put together a valuable collection of documents on U.S. political and cultural conflict from FDR's 1944 State of the Union address to Nixon's Watergate speech. This collection, with Bresler's thoughtful interpretive essay, introduces students to important themes for understanding modern America.