  | Book Details Title: America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers . . . and the Future of the United States |
Book DescriptionAbout the Author Cal Thomas is one of the most widely syndicated columnists in America. His fifty-year journalism career includes anchoring and reporting for KPRC-TV in Houston, NBC News in Washington, Fox News Channel and other outlets. For ten years he co-wrote the Common Ground column for USA Today with his colleague, Bob Beckel. A native of Washington, D.C. and graduate of American University, Thomas is married to Christie Jean (“CJ”). The couple live in Key Largo, Florida. Visit calthomas.com. Read more Customers Review: Don’t do what I did. Please read the description of this book above very carefully before deciding to purchase it.I thought this would be an interesting historical analysis of past empires, and practical suggestions of how America could avoid the same fate. Like a “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire” but one that I could, you know, actually understand. Right off the bat, Cal states he is not a historian, but rather a journalist. This was a big red flag, but still I soldiered on.The “history” in this book reads like a third grade book report. Details are largely absent or glossed over. Cal barrels through actually describing the arc of these empire so he can short circuit to the fact that they failed because they weren’t Christian enough. I mean, fine, you want to discuss religion as one aspect of their arcs, great. But he drops anvil after anvil of holier than thouness on you and I felt like I was sitting in a pew watching him scream from me at the pulpit with veins bulging out of his neck.And the coup de gras, his big revelation of what America can do to avoid the fate of other failed empires: why everyone just needs to convert to be a very devout Christian. And not any religion will do. Nope, it has to be Christianity. Listen, let’s say he’s even right and that our only path to salvation is a mass conversion to Christianity. Well that is so delusional and unlikely that I’m going to pack up shop, crack a beer and wait for the inevitable collapse of the country. How about some practical or useful analysis or advice Cal? Stuff that has a snowballs chance of actually happening? How about more reasoned observations on immigration policy, tax policy, debt and spending, defense strategy, etc? You know, observations that are actually useful and practical? He might as well have drawn the conclusion that the only way to save America is to have a fleet of leprechauns riding unicorns, which is equally as actionable as what he suggests.I’m in Cals demographic too, so it’s not like I’m reacting out of emotion to his differing point of view. I’m a Catholic conservative like he is. But good lord was this book boring.Just know what you’re getting into before you buy this book. If you are a devout Christian and you want to read a bunch of brief parables reinforcing beliefs you already have, this is a great book for you. But don’t get into this if you’re expecting an interesting historical analysis. | |
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