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Forum » Book Reviews By Students » The European dream by Jeremy Rifkin » *** Three Stars (Kate Vu)
*** Three Stars
katiekunsDate: Tuesday, 2011-06-21, 1:48 PM | Message # 1
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In Jeremy Rifkin's book, he explains the concept of the American Dream. When the pilgrims first came to America, they saw it as a safe haven from the religious persecution they experienced in Europe. The idea of Americans being the chosen people arose & has gotten into our heads. The basis of the American Dream was that people were given a second chance to do what they wanted with their lives & to pursue their dreams through hard work & perseverance. However, through the media, this idea has been warped. Younger generations of Americans are becoming lazy waiting around for the American Dream to automatically come. The European Dream, in present day, is more appealing to immigrants. Europeans strive for peace through humanitarian aid & human rights. The European Union has a more mature way of handling situations unlike the United States who uses military strength.

This is a great book if you're more interested in Europe more than America. It gives you a very detailed insight as to why Europe is thriving while America is dying. The author analyzes every aspect of American & European life (sort of over analyzed). The last chapter, "Universalizing the European Dream," was probably the most fascinating. I found this book a bit boring at times & extremely interesting other times. If I had a longer period of time to read this book, I believe I would have enjoyed it more.
 
SenorDianaDate: Thursday, 2012-06-14, 0:29 AM | Message # 2
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In the book, The European Dream by Jeremy Rifkin, he elaborates on the topic of the American Dream and explains why European will soon overtake America as a country. He explains that the American Dream is to be offered so many new opportunities one did not have before because they're in this new country. The goal of the American Dream was created with intentions to help not only individuals, but the world as a whole; However, the national pride sweeping the nation that fueled the American Dream as the reason it's failing. Americans have been accustomed to lazy yet selfish behavior, wanting everything but not willing to work for it. Rifkin then talks about the European dream, which is essentially the same thing, but the Europeans have carried it out in a much more successful way. The United States has now shifted their focus to being a more dominant country rather than helping the people in the nation, whereas Europe focuses on human rights and uniting their country as one.

I give the book a 3/5. The book itself had interesting ideas, but honestly, the book could have been condensed to just 100 pages rather than the 400 it actually was. It got dreary at parts, but eventually got my attention again. The author constantly bashes on America and praises Europe nonstop, so if you really dig America, and have the whole American pride thing going on, I don't suggest you read this book. Well, even if you didn't I probably wouldn't suggest it either. It's really targeted towards people who do admire the European countries and wish to learn more about America's mistakes.


Message edited by SenorDiana - Thursday, 2012-06-14, 0:33 AM
 
Forum » Book Reviews By Students » The European dream by Jeremy Rifkin » *** Three Stars (Kate Vu)
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