
A stirring essay that confronts the anxieties of a nation at war, this work asks readers to look beyond slogans and examine the true sources of America’s strength. The author, drawing on two decades of observation, argues that liberty depends not on weapons but on the unity and character of its people, urging citizens to recognize both the promises and the perils of collective resolve.
In the opening chapters, the narrative dissects the propaganda that followed Pearl Harbor, challenging the notion that simple patriotism can shield a country from deeper threats. By contrasting the superficial unity of the past with the genuine, hard‑won cohesion needed to resist an enemy intent on destroying American life, the book offers a sobering yet hopeful call to honest self‑examination.
Through clear, thoughtful prose, the author invites listeners to consider how history, present choices, and a steadfast belief in freedom can shape a future worth defending—for today’s generation and the children who will inherit it.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (363K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Curtis Weyant, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2011-01-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1893–1970
A sharp-eyed critic of American popular culture, he argued early on that movies, comics, radio, and vaudeville deserved serious attention. His work helped open the door for modern criticism of mass entertainment.
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