Author: Bruce Arena
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062803964
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
Outspoken, honest, game changing—ultimate soccer insider and legendary coach Bruce Arena looks back on an extraordinary career, and forward to what the United States needs to do to compete successfully on the world stage once again. “Arena depicts the human side of managing elite athletes.… [US soccer] fans will definitely want to pick this up.”—Publishers Weekly At around 8:37 p.m. EST on October 10, 2017, an unheralded Trinidadian right back, Alvin Jones, received possession of the football in a World Cup qualifier against the United States. Looking up, he took one touch and unleashed an extraordinary shot toward the American goal. No one in the stadium—least of all US coach Bruce Arena, standing ten yards away on the touchline—thought the ball would hit the back of the net. But hit the back of the net it did. And so, on that fateful muggy night at Ato Boldon Stadium, in Trinidad, Alvin Jones doomed the United States to miss the World Cup for the first time in thirty-two years. Cue hand-wringing and moans of pain from the legions of US Men’s National Team fans. With that ultimate 2–1 defeat and ouster from the World Cup, American soccer realized it had to take a long, hard look at itself. In What’s Wrong with US?, Bruce Arena begins that painful but much-needed process. Arena has won everything there is to win in sports, including college championships and Major League Soccer triumphs—he has even excelled as a coach of lacrosse, his first passion. His 2002 World Cup soccer team came a non-called handball away from the semifinals; and, having worked with the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Christian Pulisic, he has had a storied life as a coach. Now, though, it’s time to take stock and have an honest discussion about what’s wrong with soccer in the United States. Arena casts his eye on recruiting, coaching, the structure of Major League Soccer, the integration of overseas players, and the role of money in the modern game. He looks back at the 2018 qualifying campaign, reveals what went wrong, and looks forward to a new way of soccer in America.
What's Wrong with US?
Author: Bruce Arena
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062803964
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
Outspoken, honest, game changing—ultimate soccer insider and legendary coach Bruce Arena looks back on an extraordinary career, and forward to what the United States needs to do to compete successfully on the world stage once again. “Arena depicts the human side of managing elite athletes.… [US soccer] fans will definitely want to pick this up.”—Publishers Weekly At around 8:37 p.m. EST on October 10, 2017, an unheralded Trinidadian right back, Alvin Jones, received possession of the football in a World Cup qualifier against the United States. Looking up, he took one touch and unleashed an extraordinary shot toward the American goal. No one in the stadium—least of all US coach Bruce Arena, standing ten yards away on the touchline—thought the ball would hit the back of the net. But hit the back of the net it did. And so, on that fateful muggy night at Ato Boldon Stadium, in Trinidad, Alvin Jones doomed the United States to miss the World Cup for the first time in thirty-two years. Cue hand-wringing and moans of pain from the legions of US Men’s National Team fans. With that ultimate 2–1 defeat and ouster from the World Cup, American soccer realized it had to take a long, hard look at itself. In What’s Wrong with US?, Bruce Arena begins that painful but much-needed process. Arena has won everything there is to win in sports, including college championships and Major League Soccer triumphs—he has even excelled as a coach of lacrosse, his first passion. His 2002 World Cup soccer team came a non-called handball away from the semifinals; and, having worked with the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Christian Pulisic, he has had a storied life as a coach. Now, though, it’s time to take stock and have an honest discussion about what’s wrong with soccer in the United States. Arena casts his eye on recruiting, coaching, the structure of Major League Soccer, the integration of overseas players, and the role of money in the modern game. He looks back at the 2018 qualifying campaign, reveals what went wrong, and looks forward to a new way of soccer in America.
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062803964
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
Outspoken, honest, game changing—ultimate soccer insider and legendary coach Bruce Arena looks back on an extraordinary career, and forward to what the United States needs to do to compete successfully on the world stage once again. “Arena depicts the human side of managing elite athletes.… [US soccer] fans will definitely want to pick this up.”—Publishers Weekly At around 8:37 p.m. EST on October 10, 2017, an unheralded Trinidadian right back, Alvin Jones, received possession of the football in a World Cup qualifier against the United States. Looking up, he took one touch and unleashed an extraordinary shot toward the American goal. No one in the stadium—least of all US coach Bruce Arena, standing ten yards away on the touchline—thought the ball would hit the back of the net. But hit the back of the net it did. And so, on that fateful muggy night at Ato Boldon Stadium, in Trinidad, Alvin Jones doomed the United States to miss the World Cup for the first time in thirty-two years. Cue hand-wringing and moans of pain from the legions of US Men’s National Team fans. With that ultimate 2–1 defeat and ouster from the World Cup, American soccer realized it had to take a long, hard look at itself. In What’s Wrong with US?, Bruce Arena begins that painful but much-needed process. Arena has won everything there is to win in sports, including college championships and Major League Soccer triumphs—he has even excelled as a coach of lacrosse, his first passion. His 2002 World Cup soccer team came a non-called handball away from the semifinals; and, having worked with the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Christian Pulisic, he has had a storied life as a coach. Now, though, it’s time to take stock and have an honest discussion about what’s wrong with soccer in the United States. Arena casts his eye on recruiting, coaching, the structure of Major League Soccer, the integration of overseas players, and the role of money in the modern game. He looks back at the 2018 qualifying campaign, reveals what went wrong, and looks forward to a new way of soccer in America.
Something's Wrong With Us 1
Author: Natsumi Ando
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 1632369729
Category : Comics & Graphic Novels
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A spine-chilling and steamy romance between a Japanese sweets maker and the man who framed her mother for murder -- Something's Wrong With Us is the dark, psychological, sexy shojo series readers have been waiting for! Married to the Enemy Nao has followed in her mother's footsteps to become a traditional Japanese sweets maker. Even at 21, her skills are unparalleled, landing her a spot at a world-class confectionary company. However, when she meets the young, handsome heir to the company, she recognizes Tsubaki: her first friend, and the same boy who framed her mother for murder over a decade ago. As the only witness to the crime, Nao seizes her chance to get close to him, but instead of finding answers, she falls deeper for Tsubaki's allure...
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 1632369729
Category : Comics & Graphic Novels
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A spine-chilling and steamy romance between a Japanese sweets maker and the man who framed her mother for murder -- Something's Wrong With Us is the dark, psychological, sexy shojo series readers have been waiting for! Married to the Enemy Nao has followed in her mother's footsteps to become a traditional Japanese sweets maker. Even at 21, her skills are unparalleled, landing her a spot at a world-class confectionary company. However, when she meets the young, handsome heir to the company, she recognizes Tsubaki: her first friend, and the same boy who framed her mother for murder over a decade ago. As the only witness to the crime, Nao seizes her chance to get close to him, but instead of finding answers, she falls deeper for Tsubaki's allure...
If You Wrong Us
Author: Dawn Klehr
Publisher: CJ Books
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
A dark and disturbing thriller that, "reads like Gone Girl through a teen lens." - Kirkus Reviews Becca and Johnny become entangled after a car crash steals the lives of two people they love. Officially, the crash is an accident. But Becca and Johnny are convinced: someone did this. As they plot revenge against the person responsible, a bond--intense, unyielding, and manic--takes hold of them. And in an unexpected turn of events, they fall for each other. Or so they think. In an upside-down world where decay is beautiful and love and hate become one, Becca and Johnny find themselves grappling with reality. Nothing is exactly what it seems, including what they've come to believe about the crash. Question is: will they learn the truth before it's too late? No. The question is: when they learn the truth, will they care? Praise for If You Wrong Us: "...a gripping page-turner and a thought-provoking primer on the merits of revenge." -School Library Journal "...the climactic showdown is gripping, and the path to it has plenty of grim twists and turns to hold readers' attention." - Publishers Weekly "Really good thriller. The plot is very twisty...Klehr is definitely a must read author for me now." - Midnight Book Girl, YA Blogger "I loved this mystery. My heart broke for Johnny and I liked Becca despite everything. The writing was great and kept me on the edge of my seat. Excellent mystery novel for the young adult crowd (or if you just like YA)." -Youth Librarian, Goodreads "It was fantastic...There was a twist at the ending that I was not expecting . I was on the edge of my seat the entire time." -Janine, Netgalley ARC Review "If You Wrong Us is an intricately thought-out thriller... drawing the reader into the deepest recesses of their psyches. The truth about the car accident ...is surprisingly intriguing, holding the reader captive. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read." VOYA Teen Reviewer "With short chapters, brisk pacing, and unexpected plot twists, If You Wrong Us should appeal to reluctant readers. The novel reads like a...teen movie thriller." VOYA Topics: mystery, thriller, psychological thriller, page-turner, suspense, addictive, dark romance, teen thriller, angsty, stalker, new adult, lgbtq, college romance, forbidden romance, best friend romance, Dawn Klehr, forbidden love, romantic suspense, forbidden, standalone, page-turner, twist, unexpected ending, riveting, twisty, creepy, scary, stalker romance, dark, suspenseful, film, filmmaker, film nerds, domestic thriller, film noir, domestic noir, Gone Girl, One of Us is Lying.
Publisher: CJ Books
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
A dark and disturbing thriller that, "reads like Gone Girl through a teen lens." - Kirkus Reviews Becca and Johnny become entangled after a car crash steals the lives of two people they love. Officially, the crash is an accident. But Becca and Johnny are convinced: someone did this. As they plot revenge against the person responsible, a bond--intense, unyielding, and manic--takes hold of them. And in an unexpected turn of events, they fall for each other. Or so they think. In an upside-down world where decay is beautiful and love and hate become one, Becca and Johnny find themselves grappling with reality. Nothing is exactly what it seems, including what they've come to believe about the crash. Question is: will they learn the truth before it's too late? No. The question is: when they learn the truth, will they care? Praise for If You Wrong Us: "...a gripping page-turner and a thought-provoking primer on the merits of revenge." -School Library Journal "...the climactic showdown is gripping, and the path to it has plenty of grim twists and turns to hold readers' attention." - Publishers Weekly "Really good thriller. The plot is very twisty...Klehr is definitely a must read author for me now." - Midnight Book Girl, YA Blogger "I loved this mystery. My heart broke for Johnny and I liked Becca despite everything. The writing was great and kept me on the edge of my seat. Excellent mystery novel for the young adult crowd (or if you just like YA)." -Youth Librarian, Goodreads "It was fantastic...There was a twist at the ending that I was not expecting . I was on the edge of my seat the entire time." -Janine, Netgalley ARC Review "If You Wrong Us is an intricately thought-out thriller... drawing the reader into the deepest recesses of their psyches. The truth about the car accident ...is surprisingly intriguing, holding the reader captive. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read." VOYA Teen Reviewer "With short chapters, brisk pacing, and unexpected plot twists, If You Wrong Us should appeal to reluctant readers. The novel reads like a...teen movie thriller." VOYA Topics: mystery, thriller, psychological thriller, page-turner, suspense, addictive, dark romance, teen thriller, angsty, stalker, new adult, lgbtq, college romance, forbidden romance, best friend romance, Dawn Klehr, forbidden love, romantic suspense, forbidden, standalone, page-turner, twist, unexpected ending, riveting, twisty, creepy, scary, stalker romance, dark, suspenseful, film, filmmaker, film nerds, domestic thriller, film noir, domestic noir, Gone Girl, One of Us is Lying.
Factfulness
Author: Hans Rosling
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 125012381X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “One of the most important books I’ve ever read—an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.” – Bill Gates “Hans Rosling tells the story of ‘the secret silent miracle of human progress’ as only he can. But Factfulness does much more than that. It also explains why progress is so often secret and silent and teaches readers how to see it clearly.” —Melinda Gates "Factfulness by Hans Rosling, an outstanding international public health expert, is a hopeful book about the potential for human progress when we work off facts rather than our inherent biases." - Former U.S. President Barack Obama Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts. When asked simple questions about global trends—what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school—we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers. In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two long-time collaborators, Anna and Ola, offers a radical new explanation of why this happens. They reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective—from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse). Our problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real concerns. But when we worry about everything all the time instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us most. Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world and empower you to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future. --- “This book is my last battle in my life-long mission to fight devastating ignorance...Previously I armed myself with huge data sets, eye-opening software, an energetic learning style and a Swedish bayonet for sword-swallowing. It wasn’t enough. But I hope this book will be.” Hans Rosling, February 2017.
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 125012381X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “One of the most important books I’ve ever read—an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.” – Bill Gates “Hans Rosling tells the story of ‘the secret silent miracle of human progress’ as only he can. But Factfulness does much more than that. It also explains why progress is so often secret and silent and teaches readers how to see it clearly.” —Melinda Gates "Factfulness by Hans Rosling, an outstanding international public health expert, is a hopeful book about the potential for human progress when we work off facts rather than our inherent biases." - Former U.S. President Barack Obama Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts. When asked simple questions about global trends—what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school—we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers. In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two long-time collaborators, Anna and Ola, offers a radical new explanation of why this happens. They reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective—from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse). Our problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real concerns. But when we worry about everything all the time instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us most. Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world and empower you to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future. --- “This book is my last battle in my life-long mission to fight devastating ignorance...Previously I armed myself with huge data sets, eye-opening software, an energetic learning style and a Swedish bayonet for sword-swallowing. It wasn’t enough. But I hope this book will be.” Hans Rosling, February 2017.
Wrong
Author: David H. Freedman
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780316165310
Category : Error
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
Explains why experts often give wrong information, the reasons that bad advice gets the most attention, and how it has adversely affected society, and offers suggestions to eliminate this destructive cycle.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780316165310
Category : Error
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
Explains why experts often give wrong information, the reasons that bad advice gets the most attention, and how it has adversely affected society, and offers suggestions to eliminate this destructive cycle.
Poorly Understood
Author: Mark Robert Rank
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190881402
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
What if the idealized image of American societya land of opportunity that will reward hard work with economic successis completely wrong? Few topics have as many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions surrounding them as that of poverty in America. The poor have been badly misunderstood since the beginnings of the country, with the rhetoric only ratcheting up in recent times. Our current era of fake news, alternative facts, and media partisanship has led to a breeding ground for all types of myths and misinformation to gain traction and legitimacy. Poorly Understood is the first book to systematically address and confront many of the most widespread myths pertaining to poverty. Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock powerfully demonstrate that the realities of poverty are much different than the myths; indeed in many ways they are more disturbing. The idealized image of American society is one of abundant opportunities, with hard work being rewarded by economic prosperity. But what if this picture is wrong? What if poverty is an experience that touches the majority of Americans? What if hard work does not necessarily lead to economic well-being? What if the reasons for poverty are largely beyond the control of individuals? And if all of the evidence necessary to disprove these myths has been readily available for years, why do they remain so stubbornly pervasive? These are much more disturbing realities to consider because they call into question the very core of America's identity. Armed with the latest research, Poorly Understood not only challenges the myths of poverty and inequality, but it explains why these myths continue to exist, providing an innovative blueprint for how the nation can move forward to effectively alleviate American poverty.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190881402
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
What if the idealized image of American societya land of opportunity that will reward hard work with economic successis completely wrong? Few topics have as many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions surrounding them as that of poverty in America. The poor have been badly misunderstood since the beginnings of the country, with the rhetoric only ratcheting up in recent times. Our current era of fake news, alternative facts, and media partisanship has led to a breeding ground for all types of myths and misinformation to gain traction and legitimacy. Poorly Understood is the first book to systematically address and confront many of the most widespread myths pertaining to poverty. Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock powerfully demonstrate that the realities of poverty are much different than the myths; indeed in many ways they are more disturbing. The idealized image of American society is one of abundant opportunities, with hard work being rewarded by economic prosperity. But what if this picture is wrong? What if poverty is an experience that touches the majority of Americans? What if hard work does not necessarily lead to economic well-being? What if the reasons for poverty are largely beyond the control of individuals? And if all of the evidence necessary to disprove these myths has been readily available for years, why do they remain so stubbornly pervasive? These are much more disturbing realities to consider because they call into question the very core of America's identity. Armed with the latest research, Poorly Understood not only challenges the myths of poverty and inequality, but it explains why these myths continue to exist, providing an innovative blueprint for how the nation can move forward to effectively alleviate American poverty.
What's Wrong with U.S.?
Author: Randy Machado
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0615223117
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
What makes the U.S. psychologically tick? Find out how our collective psychology leads to misdiagnosed ADHD, war and general unhappiness. Professor Machado reveals in his book-how parents can decide if their child is being misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Could our Founding Fathers possibly have imagined how different our country would be merely 200 years after it's founding? How did their ideas and thoughts of BUILDING A SOCIETY have gone down the unpredictible path we now find ourselves in? War, conflict, unhappiness---was this the intent? How is such a strong, potent nation and seemingly "civil" SOCIETY plagued by the devastions brought on by ourselves? The answers are right before our eyes and Professor Machado removes the blinders that we have been led to ignore in order to help us to clearly see! He has the REAL ANSWERS!
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0615223117
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
What makes the U.S. psychologically tick? Find out how our collective psychology leads to misdiagnosed ADHD, war and general unhappiness. Professor Machado reveals in his book-how parents can decide if their child is being misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Could our Founding Fathers possibly have imagined how different our country would be merely 200 years after it's founding? How did their ideas and thoughts of BUILDING A SOCIETY have gone down the unpredictible path we now find ourselves in? War, conflict, unhappiness---was this the intent? How is such a strong, potent nation and seemingly "civil" SOCIETY plagued by the devastions brought on by ourselves? The answers are right before our eyes and Professor Machado removes the blinders that we have been led to ignore in order to help us to clearly see! He has the REAL ANSWERS!
America Right Or Wrong
Author: Anatol Lieven
Publisher:
ISBN: 0199660255
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 310
Book Description
This examination of the American national character provides a sobering look at the course foreign policy has taken since 9/11, revealing how the combination of two contradictory brands of nationalism have undermined American security and the war against terrorism.--Publisher's description.
Publisher:
ISBN: 0199660255
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 310
Book Description
This examination of the American national character provides a sobering look at the course foreign policy has taken since 9/11, revealing how the combination of two contradictory brands of nationalism have undermined American security and the war against terrorism.--Publisher's description.
How Rights Went Wrong
Author: Jamal Greene
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 1328518116
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 341
Book Description
An eminent constitutional scholar reveals how our approach to rights is dividing America, and shows how we can build a better system of justice.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 1328518116
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 341
Book Description
An eminent constitutional scholar reveals how our approach to rights is dividing America, and shows how we can build a better system of justice.
America Through Foreign Eyes
Author: Jorge G. Castañeda
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0190224495
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 321
Book Description
"Foreigners have been writing about the United States ever since its foundation. Now it is my turn. But please don't hold this against me: the United States itself is at fault. Like a great many people on earth, I've long been fascinated by this remarkable phenomenon which calls itself America. My fate -or perhaps good fortune- has been that of a foreigner who for half a century lived the American experience-as a child, as a student, as an author, as a recurrent visitor and as a university professor. Being Mexican places me in a special category: having lost half its territory to the United States in the 19th century, having found itself caught up in the maelstrom of America's current identity crisis, Mexico can never ignore what happens north of the border. Further, while serving as Mexico's Foreign Minister from 2000 to 2003, I had the privilege of peeping inside the machinery of power that makes this great nation tick. That said, this book is not written from a Mexican perspective but rather from that of a sympathetic foreign critic who has seen the United States from both inside and outside. And its hope is to contribute something to how Americans view themselves and are viewed by the world. Before embarking on this journey, I naturally looked back at some of my forebears, earlier foreigners who were drawn to visit or live in the United States and who then went on to offer their version of America to their home readers. Some like the French traveler Alexis de Tocqueville, author of the early 19th century classic, Democracy in America, felt European nations had much to learn from the American democratic experiment. Others like Charles Dickens left dismayed by what he considered to be the country's singular obsession with money. But they are just two of dozens who have tried-and continue to try- to find a magic key that unlocks the complexities and contradictions of American society. Indeed, it is as if the United States seeks to challenge foreign writers to explain it, confident they will fail. And in taking it on, these outsiders have variously experienced frustration, hope, anger, excitement, disappointment and enlightenment- but never indifference"--
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0190224495
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 321
Book Description
"Foreigners have been writing about the United States ever since its foundation. Now it is my turn. But please don't hold this against me: the United States itself is at fault. Like a great many people on earth, I've long been fascinated by this remarkable phenomenon which calls itself America. My fate -or perhaps good fortune- has been that of a foreigner who for half a century lived the American experience-as a child, as a student, as an author, as a recurrent visitor and as a university professor. Being Mexican places me in a special category: having lost half its territory to the United States in the 19th century, having found itself caught up in the maelstrom of America's current identity crisis, Mexico can never ignore what happens north of the border. Further, while serving as Mexico's Foreign Minister from 2000 to 2003, I had the privilege of peeping inside the machinery of power that makes this great nation tick. That said, this book is not written from a Mexican perspective but rather from that of a sympathetic foreign critic who has seen the United States from both inside and outside. And its hope is to contribute something to how Americans view themselves and are viewed by the world. Before embarking on this journey, I naturally looked back at some of my forebears, earlier foreigners who were drawn to visit or live in the United States and who then went on to offer their version of America to their home readers. Some like the French traveler Alexis de Tocqueville, author of the early 19th century classic, Democracy in America, felt European nations had much to learn from the American democratic experiment. Others like Charles Dickens left dismayed by what he considered to be the country's singular obsession with money. But they are just two of dozens who have tried-and continue to try- to find a magic key that unlocks the complexities and contradictions of American society. Indeed, it is as if the United States seeks to challenge foreign writers to explain it, confident they will fail. And in taking it on, these outsiders have variously experienced frustration, hope, anger, excitement, disappointment and enlightenment- but never indifference"--