The End of the Myth

From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America

Bibliographic Data

ID6552108
AuthorsGreg Grandin
Year2019
Pages384
Publication date2019-03-05
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueThe End of the Myth (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherMetropolitan Books (PUBLISHER)
Open LibraryOL27337737M
ISBN9781250179821
LanguageEN
Citations received55

"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. In [this book], acclaimed historian Greg Grandin explores the effect that constant, relentless expansion had on America's domestic politics, examining the full sweep of U.S. history--from the American Revolution to the Spanish-American War, the New Deal to the election of 2016. For centuries, he shows, the ability to move outward--fighting wars and opening markets--provided America with a "gate of escape," helping to deflect domestic political and economic conflicts. But this deflection meant that the country's problems, from racism to inequality, were never confronted directly. And now, the combined catastrophes of the 2008 financial meltdown, our unwinnable wars in the Middle East, and a deepening ecological crisis have slammed this gate shut, bringing political passions that had long been directed elsewhere back home. It is this new reality, Grandin says, that explains the rise of reactionary populism and racist nationalism, the extreme anger and polarization that catapulted Trump to the presidency. The border wall may or may not be built, but it will survive as a rallying point, an allegorical tombstone marking the end of American exceptionalism."--Dust jacket

1861-1932 · American National characteristics · Borderlands · Criticism and interpretation · Exceptionalism · Frontier and pioneer life · Frontier thesis · History · National characteristics, american · Nationalism · New York Times reviewed · Turner, frederick jackson · united states