The Ugly AmericanFirst published in 1958, The Ugly American became a runaway national bestseller for its slashing exposé of American arrogance, incompetence, and corruption in Southeast Asia. Based on fact, the book's eye-opening stories and sketches drew a devastating picture of how the United States was losing the struggle with Communism in Asia. Combining gripping storytelling with an urgent call to action, the book prompted President Eisenhower to launch a study of our military aid program that led the way to much-needed reform. "Powerful and absorbing. . . . Should be required reading in Washington."—Kirkus Reviews "Not only important but consistently entertaining. . . . The attack on American policy in Asia this book makes is clothed in sharp characterizations, frequently humorous incident, and perceptive descriptions of the countries and people where the action occurs."-Robert Trumbull, former chief correspondent for the New York Times in China and Southeast Asia "Seldom has a deadly warning been more entertainingly or convincingly given."—Washington Star |
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A must read for ex-patriates of any flavor before moving overseas.
I've looked for other culture's interpretation of themselves and the closest I found was Bo Yang's "The Ugly Chinaman". A fascinating text and one that helped me put perspective while living in Taipei.
I must note two things here.
First, Google Books doesn't apparently have ANY listing for this text.
Second, Bo Yang's birthday was one of the reason's why students gathered in Tinnamen Square.
This great book is not just about the pollitiacal position of the US during the Vietnam War. It is about the determination of people and their willingness to help the greater good. it can be read by all ages and understanding but should used in a literary class if the reader is a youth.
Contents
Lucky Lucky Lou 1 | 11 |
Lucky Lucky Lou 2 | 33 |
Nine Friends | 43 |
Everybody Loves Joe Bing | 66 |
Confidential and Personal | 74 |
Employment Opportunities Abroad | 77 |
The Girl Who Got Recruited | 83 |
The Ambassador and the Working Press | 87 |
What Would You Do If You Were President? | 144 |
How to Buy an American Junior Grade | 155 |
The SixFoot Swami from Savannah | 174 |
Captain Boning USN | 191 |
The Ugly American | 205 |
The Ugly American and the Ugly Sarkhanese | 214 |
The Bent Backs of Chang Dong | 232 |
Senator Sir | 239 |
Everyone Has Ears | 93 |
The Ragtime Kid | 110 |
The Iron of War | 115 |
The Lessons of War | 132 |
The Sum of Tiny Things | 264 |
A Factual Epilogue | 271 |