Ashley James

EMILY SETTON

ary Younge wants you to know something: you're not special. Don't get upset—he really doesn't mean it in a bad way. The United States, he suggests in Stranger in a Strange Land: Encounters in the Disunited States, is neither especially great nor especially terrible.

The book consists of 50 short essays that Younge wrote while spending time in the U.S. as the Guardian's American correspondent, and each essay addresses a facet of the country. The four sections, “War,” “Race,” “Politics,” and “Culture,” provide rough parameters for a wide spectrum of topics ranging from Louis Farrakhan to September 11. Across these sections, Younge seeks to refute America's claim of superiority while simultaneously capturing the complexities of American life.

Younge said that he wants his reader to understand that “America is more complicated than [the British] thought it was. This sounds fairly unambitious, but Brits think they get America completely and there is nothing more to say.” Clearly, these articles were not intended for an American audience, but a British one, and Younge was quick to explain he “didn't have Americans in mind” when writing the book. Consequently, he addresses certain topics in greater detail than an American might require. This is evident in the essays on race, as Younge said that for the British, American racial issues need “a substantial amount of context.” For American readers, there is a risk of boredom, as many of the topics that Younge covers have been extensively written on in the recent past. While there is, as Younge insists, certainly more to say, the question remains whether or not Younge's work surprises and informs British and American readers alike.

In taking on such a huge topic, novelty and insight are crucial. Rather than merely echoing American writers, Younge aims to provide his own perspective. He does this particularly well in his essay “Black Bloke,” which explores the reaction of both the British and Americans to his identity as a black Englishman. Two additional factors make the book worthwhile. First, it is accessible; it covers topics familiar to liberal readers, particularly in the “War” section, but Younge writes with distinctive lucidity, freshness, and confidence. Additionally, the book flourishes with pieces that focus on individuals, showcasing Younge's talent for fitting big ideas and sharp observations into a relatively short composition.

Younge proves his dedication to revealing the complexities of America in his “War” and “Politics” sections. His critique of President Bush's regulation of the press's coverage of American troops in “Don't Mention the Dead” and commentary on the sad state of war veterans echo the complaints of liberals disgusted with the current administration. What saves this section from being just another list of liberal grievances (no matter how valid) is Younge's choice not to point a foreign finger at the United States. He stresses that America has bad leadership—not bad people—and that many countries, his own included, also have unsavory imperialist pasts. In this way, he reinforces the idea that America is not an anomaly among contemporary civilizations. His choice not to reprimand America is significant for both the American and the British reader. It is refreshing to hear concern for America in Younge's work, not just critique. There is hope in his willingness to give America a second chance, and moreover, to believe America has the ability to redeem itself.

The “Politics” section points to the same conclusions, while simultaneously emphasizing political divisions and their detrimental effect on America. Here, Younge continues his Bush bashing but also turns a critical eye toward liberals and the Democratic Party specifically. He ends the section with the essay “Bush in Ethical Meltdown, and All They Can Do Is Gloat,” in which he admonishes the Democratic Party for its ineffectual response to the ever worsening reputation of President Bush. We're not doing enough, Younge suggests, and he warns that “unless the Democrats develop the wherewithal to challenge them, conservatives will then shape both the law and the politics of the country for a generation.” Criticizing Democrats isn't anything new, but Younge conveys a genuine and commendable concern for America's future.

In contrast to his other sections, many of the essays in the “Culture” and “Politics” sections focus on individual Americans, rather than sweeping societal phenomena. Shifting his focus allows Younge to write in a more personal voice. These profiles are some of the best pieces in the entire work, as they give rich historical background and keen insight into individual lives. A particularly outstanding piece is “Claudette Colvin: She Would Not Be Moved.” It tells the story of the little known Ms. Colvin, the first black woman to refuse to give up her seat on the bus, before Rosa Parks. Younge explores the reasons why Parks was intentionally chosen by black leaders over Colvin to help symbolize the Civil Rights movement.

The goal of the “Culture” section is not to offer up a single, all-encompassing thesis like those explored in “War” or “Politics.” This section has an altogether different virtue. After reading these pieces, one does not get the sense of a “complicated” or “divided” America, or even a sense of America at all. Instead, each essay leaves the reader with greater knowledge of a specific topic, and Younge's attention to detail and vibrant writing make them engaging.

For U.S. readers at least, America doesn't seem like such a strange land. While Younge's project is to translate American culture for an English audience, his perspective on politics is refreshing, and when he writes about American culture and racial relations, his detailed portraits prove rewarding. In bringing his insight to both the specific details and overarching generalities of American life, Younge's work achieves an air of familiarity rather than foreignness, regardless of his audience. Even if America isn't as special as its citizens might like to think, Younge still makes it pretty interesting.