Hotel America: Scenes in the Lobby of the Fin de Siecle

Lewis Lapham reminds me of Gore Vidal. Both are master essayists, and both offer an honest critique of imperial ambitions abroad and Puritan impulses at home. Each man is a master of the political essay, and neither individual talks down to his audience. This collection of essays was written from 1990-1995 and touches on the last vestiges of the Reagan oligarchy (George Herbert Walker Bush) and bemoans the lack of substantial policy changes in the Clinton epoch. Lapham isn't the typical "liberal"; for example, he calls for funding fewer arts organizations (but funding the "chosen few" substantially to get more 'bang from the buck'). While it is true that Lapham's viewpoints are generally considered Leftist, he refuses to be pinned down, lamenting the loss of smoking priveleges in public places nearly as much as the lack of health care for the uninsured.I highly recommend this book and the critical thinking prominently exhibited by its author.

Mr. Lapham's pen strikes the page with brutal honesty. He's not afraid to decnonstruct the corruption in our political arena.

Very good....a must read

This book is the real thin