Overview
Buried Alive assembles the best of Walter Karp's essays on American politics; on the lessons and responsibilities of liberty. Karp's writing is characterized by a fierce love of democracy and incisive commentary on government. These essays scrutinize American political and social issues with force, eloquence, and independent thinking.
Synopsis
A writer and editor for Harper's Magazine,in which many of these essays first appeared,Karp shows a fierce love of democracy and incisive wit and insight when talking about government.The best of his essays on politics, and the lessons of liberty.
Library Journal
Permeating this collection of provocative and inspiring essays is a closely reasoned, impassioned defense of the American ``republic''--and at the same time a multi-faceted attack on the corrupting influences of the American ``nation.'' Karp, a contributing editor to Harper's Magazine who died in 1989, ranges far and wide in driving home his twin messages . Karp deeply resents our idolatry of Woodrow Wilson and Bobby Kennedy and exposes their undemocratic politics; he excoriates American education today for abandoning the goal of creating ``an informed citizenry'' and for substituting the goals of ``industrial training'' and ``tribal identity''; he criticizes the news media for being government's best publicists; and he effectively argues that our TV soap operas are not an unhealthy sign of American individualism. Open-minded readers of Karp's vibrant prose will be rethinking our country's past history, present politics, and uncertain future for some time to come. For larger political collections.-- Jack Forman, Mesa Coll. Lib., San Diego