The good and bad things to come from America

Martin Amiss memorable said:"Drop me anywhere in America, and I'll tell you where I am-I'm anywhere in America". He is, of course, talking about their soulless metropolises and those endless fast-food franchised highways, rather than the majestic open spaces that link glittering skyscraper forest with beautiful and diverse countryside that defines the U.S. America really is one world in one country, from the ice fields of Alaska to the stunning deserts of Arizona, every state different and only the arid baron lands of Texas a disappointment to me when I traveled from coast to coast. But America is not everyone's friend right now so it's a good time for the good ...  Read the complete review

I never did hear any of Alastair Cooke's famous Letters From America. I know they were good; I know they were from an English emigrant who fell in love with the United States. It's remarkable and sad to note that on March 2, 2004, at the age of 95, Cooke announced his retirement from Letter from America after 58 years, the longest-running speech radio show in the world. So with that in mind, it's with a certain reticense that I write about the offspring nation across The Pond, safe in the knowledge that I am a mere shadow in the footsteps of both Cooke and, well, quite frankly most writers, come to think of it. It was only recently that I felt frustrated by ...  Read the complete review