MANIFESTO FOR AMERICANS

The propositions that should dictate the behavior of Americans as they move forward to meet the challenge of the twentieth century, with which Mr. Bullis is concerned in this book, have received much attention. The need for a treatise that gives shape to our changing society is great. But it cannot be said that Mr. Bullis has been altogether successful in his attempt. His analysis of the promises of the American creed is neither profound nor a mature product of our generation. His grasp of our role in the twentieth century is accurate, and he discusses the educational system and the need for foreign aid and investment brilliantly. But his occasional insight is hampered by his bland acceptance of meaningless ideological phrases and cliches: he emphasizes the proposition that freedom is indivisible (thus blinding him to the real differences between the Soviet Union, Spain, and Red China), and he repeatedly refers to a poorly conceptualized Russia that is not concerned with benefits for the worker. The book's value derives from the author's fine presentation of economic conditions. Recommended for the intelligent layman.