By Athena Kerry
07/24/2007
Judging by the rave review on LewRockwell.com for Tom Woods' most recent book 33 Questions About American History You're Not Supposed to Ask, he has his audience nailed. (Encyclopedic Knowledge and Rapier Wit, by Kevin R. C. Gutzman, 7-23-2007)
And actually, I can see that it will be a useful book, especially for college students who are looking to ruffle a few feathers.
Wood’s book, following his New York Times bestseller, The Politically Incorrect Guide To American History, is divided into 33 essays answering questions like “Did Martin Luther King Jr. Oppose Affirmative Action?”, “Did Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Lift The United States Out Of The Depression?”, and “Should Americans Care About Historians’ Ranking of US Presidents?” There are several discussions of racial differences (although IQ is certainly never mentioned), government spending at home and abroad, and states’ rights. The essays themselves are solid, well-argued statements.
Most interesting to VDARE.com is the first chapter (and one listed on the front of the dust jacket) exploring whether the Founding Fathers' supported immigration. The short answer is no, and to support it Woods has done his research. However, to Peter Brimelow’s great chagrin, Woods misses one important point: he quotes Benjamin Franklin’s much-mocked fear of too many German immigrants as evidence that the Founders had doubts about immigration, but does not note that Franklin was not proved wrong — German immigration ceased, and did not resume for nearly a century, one of many such pauses that have been critical to assimilation. Brimelow pointed this out in Alien Nation twelve years ago, but the mocking goes on.
At any rate, I’m pleased to see immigration get the attention Woods gives it. And I hope his message reaches many a LewRockwell.com libertarian in the process.
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