If This Were Not A Free Country, This Book Would Be Banned.Authentic, infuriating, and explosively candid, this is the daring, classic bestseller that unmasked the blundering hypocrisy of some of our top-level diplomats. It exposes the opportunism, incompetence, and cynical deceit that have become imbedded in the fabric of our public relations, not only in Asia but all over the world…. More >>
Simply excellent, and still up to date, thanks to Stupid George
How to try to help the world without even bothering trying to understand what cultural differences mean.
While Europe rarely does anything to make the world a better place, America does too much, and too often (but not always) for the wrong reasons and with cataclysmic results.
Read this now and you will understand why Iraq is going to be another Vietnam, unfortunately
Rating: 5 / 5
The man was sent to lay out a new road and dedicated himseld and his wife to help improve the vilagers life. They were loved for their efforts byt because of their size and rough complexions were lovelingly referred to a “The Ugly Americans” which had no reference to our foreign policies or attitudes.
Rating: 5 / 5
The book used to have weight but it seems now a mere timely insight in reference to fighting terrorists. Even though Vietnam became a lost cause, it was surely noble and has taught us how NOT to fight future wars. Thankfully the Americans had been fighting communism all those years. (Who knows how many Pol-Pots there may have been were there no resistance?). It surely seems foolhardy now to think that communist expandsionism was harmless now that we know how many people died at the hands of their own communist regimes(and still do). Same goes for the war on terror. The ugly American now, as was then, is our only hope.
Rating: 4 / 5
To paraphrase, someone said, “There is little good in giving someone fish, if you do not teach him HOW to fish”.
The Ugly American helped by teaching people HOW. As did his wife.
The book is a beautiful story of an “ugly” person with a wonderful, giving heart.
It is unfortunate that certain people use the term “ugly american” as a way of degrading America and Americans.
I am reordering the book to reread it – then pass it on to a friend who likes to use the term “Ugly American” with no knowledge of it’s meaning.
J.C. Caruthers
Rating: 5 / 5
I was supposed to read it for a book report project, but it turned out to be rather good.
Rating: 5 / 5