"Ronald Wright shows how the New World created the modern world - and how the New World now threatens to undo it all. He lifts the veil on our advanced society to reveal the deeply archaic forces that are undermining it: religious extremism, militarism, and an unshakable faith in often-dangerous ideals like endless progress, unfettered capitalism, and a universal mission." "What is America? is a passionate - and essential - look at a thoroughly puzzling, and thoroughly troubling, time."--Jacket.