AMERICA FROM THE OUTSIDE IN
It's difficult to be objective about yourself. Sometimes it takes an outsider to offer a different perspective. As Americans, our natural disposition is to be liked. But that's not always the case. Here's my short collection of outsiders who have come to America and reported their findings. Some admirers; some less so. 1. Cio America! An Italian Discovers the U.S. Beppe Severgnini (1995). Columbus discovered America and five hundred years later, Italian journalist, Beppe Severgnini, rented a row house in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood and recorded his observations for the next year. Severgnini offers a wonderful sense of detachment to make his observations amusing showing affection for America but also gently poking fun. Bought used somewhere. 2. American Notes: A Journey, Charles Dickens (1842; Fromm edition, 1985). In 1842, Charles Dickens toured the U.S. writing about Wall Street, the prison...