Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen is an exploration of the speed and magnitude of America's wild descent into magical unreality. Andersen artfully interweaves the commentary of history, politics, religion, and culture to provide an unparalleled explanation of how a superpower such as America came to be such a formidable and outrageous proponent of magical thinking.

The story begins with the country’s earliest settlers, who brought with them a legacy of superstition, folklore and magic. Andersen deftly explores the religious ideas of Puritans and Quakers, as well as the politically charged movements that began in the early 18th century. It is this combination of religious and social upheaval that eventually leads to the creation of the United States of America.

In addition to looking at the past, Andersen also takes a thoughtful look at America’s present-day situation. As Andersen explains, America has become a fantasy-oriented country, where outlandish conspiracies and false claims are widely and even eagerly accepted, and where discerning truth from fiction is difficult. The power of the media to manipulate public opinion, the opportunities for frauds and con-artists to take advantage of the unsuspecting, and the growing influence of the religious right have all contributed significantly to the rise of this modern-day fantasyland.

Andersen's vivid and informative insights into American history, culture, and belief systems move the reader steadily forward through the centuries to the present. He considers how our country has changed and evolved, noting the tragic losses of religious liberty and the dangers of our present-day culture of lies and deceit. He shines a light on the many stories we tell ourselves and examines their implications.

He applies his informed and persuasive analysis to a variety of topics, such as the recent election and our government’s policy decisions, to explain how we’ve come to put our faith in the lies of politicians and the peculiar ideals of conspiracy theorists. Not content to blame only current leaders, Andersen examines how reality TV and its faux-reality, internet culture, and modern education have all warped the minds of present Americans.

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire is an engaging, readable, and incredibly informative history book. It is written for those interested in better understanding how the United States has come to be the country it is today. Through his compelling narrative, Andersen provides valuable insight into what has driven our nation in the past - and why it is so important to understand our past in order to shape our future. He compels readers to question what we choose to accept as truth, and reminds us to strive for accuracy and integrity in our judgments and our opinions.