America the Philosophical

Starred review from March 26, 2012
Though de Tocqueville argued that “in no country in the civilized world is less attention paid to philosophy than in the United States,” award-winning book critic and Ursinus College philosophy professor Romano sets out to prove, in this engaging tome, that America is the “most philosophical culture in the history of the world.” America’s philosophy is a pragmatic one, Romano argues, aimed not at locating absolute truth in the ether, but instead confronting real world problems and finding real world solutions. Romano begins with the philosophical roots of American pragmatism in the 19th century and outlines the 20th-century contributions of Willard Van Orman Quine, John Rawls, and Richard Rorty. In addition, Romano analyzes the philosophy of intellectuals like Harold Bloom or Edward Said, and highlights the oft overlooked contributions of African-Americans, women, and gays before tackling contemporary realms of cybertechnology and popular culture. At its core, the work seeks to shift our definition of philosophy from an emphasis on reason and truth-finding to philosophy as a form of persuasion that aims to find better solutions to problems. With illuminating anecdotes and an addictive prose style, Romano renders complex ideas lucid without sacrificing depth of understanding or his splendid sense of humor. His breathtaking intellectual range and passion will make every reader want to be a philosopher. Agent: Georges Borchardt, Georges Borchardt Inc.

Starred review from April 1, 2012
Chronicle of Higher Education critic-at-large Romano (Philosophy and Humanities/Ursinus Coll.) debuts with a comprehensive and certain-to-be controversial diagnosis of the condition of philosophical thinking in America today. The author sees philosophers everywhere today (whether they call themselves such or no), not just lounging in the groves of academe, and this will surely annoy some fellow academics. He realizes that philosophy has traditionally been the ballpark for white men to play in, so he makes a thorough effort to add to the team some prominent women, African Americans, Native Americans, gays and others. But he begins with the famous white men (William James, George Santayana, John Dewey et al.) and looks at key figures later on--John Rawls and Richard Rorty among them. Romano then begins his explorations of byways rather than highways, seeing the philosophical bent of thinkers who didn't necessarily define themselves as philosophers--e.g., psychologists B. F. Skinner, Abraham Maslow and Howard Gardner. Then it's on to literary critics Kenneth Burke, Harold Bloom and Edward Said. Political theorists are next, and the author also gives a serious look at Robert Fulghum and Hugh Hefner. He examines journalists as well, including I.F. Stone, Christopher Hitchens and Bill Moyers. Near the end, Romano makes a strong case for Isocrates, a rival of Plato whose thought, writes the author, was more pragmatic--as we are. Romano's grip on his subject is fierce, and his tone, though critical throughout (he does not just summarize; he assesses), is occasionally light (he alludes to Buster Keaton, Bigfoot and the TV show Justified). In the final chapter, he praises the philosophical talents of President Obama, a discussion sure to displease Republicans. A tour de force--encyclopedic, entertaining and enlightening.

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November 1, 2011

Take that, Richard Hofstadler! Americans aren't anti-intellectual. In fact, argues Romano, a distinguished book critic and professor of philosophy, American culture is more profoundly philosophical than any other culture in history, with ordinary Americans quick to question specious reasoning and trained minds just as quick to throw over stuffy debate for something refreshing. Okay, so I majored in philosophy and have a special interest in this book, but what could be more important than how we think--and how we think about ourselves? Full disclosure: I know the author, and I'm still recommending this book.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Romano, currently a critic at large for the Chronicle of Higher Education, jabs provocatively at the notion that philosophy is largely irrelevant to American culture by arguing that American culture is actually the planet's most vibrant and important marketplace for ideas. America the Philosophical, he argues, deserves its name precisely because it is a place where anyone can be a philosopher, but all philosophers must prove the relevance and utility of their ideas lest they be shredded, ridiculed, or simply ignored by the pluralistic, cosmopolitan, and unfailingly skeptical American public. To illustrate this, Romano presents a vast and diverse panorama of influential American thinkerseveryone from John Dewey and Susan Sontag to Robert Fulghum and Hugh Hefnerand reminds readers that the academy has considerable but far from complete influence over American thought, and this is probably a good thing. Like the ancient Greek thinker Isocrates, America the Philosophical rejects esoteric and systematic thinking in favor of truths that emerge through consensus, however elusive or messy it may be in our diverse and opinionated land. Part love letter, part hand grenade, Romano's commentary is sure to delight and infuriate in a way that will underscore its thesis.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)