| Description |
xii, 369 pages : maps ; 25 cm |
| Édition |
First paperback edition |
| Bibliographie |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-352) and index. |
| Dépouillement |
Introduction. Fleeing forward -- All that space -- The alpha and the omega -- A Caucasian democracy -- The safety valve -- Are you ready for all these wars? -- The true relief -- The outer edge -- The pact of 1898 -- A fortress on the frontier -- A psychological twist -- A golden harvest -- Some demonic suction tube -- More, more, more -- The new preëmptor -- Crossing the blood meridian -- Epilogue. The significance of the wall in American history. |
| Résumé |
"Ever since this nation's founding, the idea of an open and ever-expanding frontier has been central to American identity. Symbolizing a future of endless promise, the frontier made possible the United States' belief in itself as an exceptional nation -- democratic, individualistic, forward-looking. Today, though, the country has a new symbol: the border wall. As acclaimed historian Greg Grandin demonstrates, for centuries relentless expansion profoundly shaped America's domestic politics. The ability to move outward provided a "gate of escap", helping to deflect political and economic conflicts. But this deflection meant that the country's problems, from racism to inequality, were never confronted directly. And now, the 2008 financial meltdown, our unwinnable wars in the Middle East, and a deepening ecological crisis have slammed this gate shut.. This new reality explains the rise of reactionary populism and racist nationalism- the extreme anger and polarization that catapulted Trump to the presidency."--Page 4 of cover. |
| ISBN |
9781250214850 (paperback) |
| Autre titre |
From the frontier to the border wall in the mind of America |
|
