Straight America, a call to national service

In this urgent appeal written on the eve of America’s entry into the Great War, the author turns a critical eye toward a nation that feels prosperous yet unsettled. He argues that the country’s confidence masks a deep‑seated lack of collective purpose, leaving citizens divided over preparedness, loyalty, and the very meaning of public service.

Drawing on recent events in the Caribbean and Mexico, the book explores how regional indifference and ethnic fragmentation have eroded a shared sense of identity. It calls for a comprehensive, “national service” that goes beyond the battlefield—encompassing industry, education, and civic life—to forge a truly united citizenry.

Through a blend of historical observation and forward‑looking proposals, the work invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be American and to imagine a future built on coordinated, wholehearted participation.