Foolish white people

Author: Michael Moore
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Bestselling book of 2002 on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Online Bookstore. A critique of America by an American, real, brutal, and humorous. In 2002, "Stupid White People" burst onto the scene in the U.S., debuting on the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Amazon Online Bookstore bestseller lists, and staying atop the former for over a dozen weeks. In the United States, where fear reigned after 9/11, what kind of book could so quickly and persistently capture people's attention? When people from a country or nation write critiques of their own, they are always readily received. However, critical writings, especially self-criticism, often run the risk of being over the top or one-sided. This book's language is fierce, its attitude harsh, and its conclusions startling, surpassing most similar books in these aspects. The popularity of "Stupid White People" can be seen as expected, but if a book continues to be beloved and makes readers say, "Our country is in deep trouble, no joke," then its appeal goes far beyond mere sensationalism. For America, we often think we know her well, yet sometimes we feel we don't understand her as much as we thought. Perhaps seeing an American critique their own homeland—whether uncovering passion beneath the absurd or absurdity beneath the passion—is truly beneficial.