American Schism

How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing Our Nation

By: Seth David Radwell

Narrated by: Mike Lenz

The political dialogue in America has collapsed. Raw and bitter emotions such as anger and resentment have crowded out any logical debate. In this investigative tracing of our nation's divergent roots, author Seth David Radwell explains that only reasoned analysis and historical perspective can act as salves for the irrational political discourse that is raging at present.

Two disparate Americas have always coexisted, and Radwell discovered that the surprising origin of these dual Americas was not an Enlightenment, but two distinct Enlightenments that have been fiercely competing since the founding of our country. Radwell argues that it is only by embracing Enlightenment principles that we can build a civilized, progressive, and tolerant society.

American Schism reveals the roots of the rifts in America since its founding and what is really dividing red and blue America; the core issues that underlie all of today's bickering; and a detailed, effective plan to move forward, commencing what will be a long process of repair and reconciliation. Radwell changes the nature of the political debate by fighting unreason with reason, allowing Americans to firmly ground their differing points of view in rationality.

©2021 Seth David Radwell (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Greatest hopes, but disappointed

The first part of the book was objective, Although, I agree with the author on Trump, the book turned silly when “suggestions” were finally offered.

As a (dying breed) fiscal conservative and social liberal, the book initially promised ways to converse with my far left friends and my MAGA intolerants. How to get past the volcanic vitriol of each side is yet to be discovered. hard. I gave up with 22 minutes left.

In retrospect, I feel I lost about 5-6 hours of good reading. Your experience may be different…

Hope for national head/heart ache!

American Schism is brilliantly written. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having my thinking poked at, focused, expanded, challenged, and confirmed. I yearn for a more civil country. I hold out hope as long as there are people willing to intelligently converse rather than blindly contend.

A compelling and relevant read for understanding current American politics

What the movie "Batman Begins" is to understanding how it all began for Batman, American Schism is to understanding how our country arrived at the two dominant camps in modern American politics. Seth David Radwell takes you by the hand through time--from before the American Revolution in France and Europe to present day U.S. to help frame and understand the ever-present tussle between the two angels on America's opposing shoulders. This book is indispensable to understanding why we are the way we are. Read it to get smarter. Read it to be empowered.

Biased

Biased left leaning opinion throughout what could've been a very useful read. Very long anti Trump hit piece

The Analysis in the Last Chapters Make it Worth the Listen

I only wish the narrator, who is on the whole pretty good, knew how to pronounce French, which is so important to the early part of this narrative.