Polianiac

Naomi Wolf’s latest book, The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot (2007: Chelsea Green Publishing) ranks as one of the most uncomfortable reads of my life. I also believe it ranks as “must read” for anyone interested in the preservation of the republic we know as The United States of America. The book is under 200 pages and retails for $13.96–I got mine on Amazon for significantly less.

Wolf’s greatest success in this work lies in her ability to resurrect and interject world history as the greatest of teachers. Present day circumstances are examined as unfolding within the continuum of historical continuity—which is, sad to say, novel here in present day America.  

The book opens with a quote from Justice William O. Douglas:

            As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such a twilight that we all    must be most aware of change in the air–however slight–lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.

If this quote resonates with your personal level of  political discomfort over the past decade or so, then give End of America a read—you might find it affirming. But be warned, the affirmation is accompanied by a “call to action” which can not be ignored.