No Place of Grace: Antimodernism and the Transformation of American Culture 1880-1920

Rating:
Summary: Antimodernism Indepth
Review: "No Place of Grace" is a revealing book that gives insight into a philosophy that has shaped American history in an extraordinary way. T.J. Jackson Lears is an excellent author and shows his thorough knowledge of the philosophy and the culture that gave birth to it. Every sentence in the book is carefully crafted with well-chosen words, as Lears does not waste the reader's time with incomprehensible terminology. He employs rhetorical devices with an ease that gives his writing a fluid rhythm, as his analogies couple words in a way that makes his meaning seem more poignant. By interspersing quotes, the author gives variety and realism to the text. He describes a philosophy, and then brings it to life with the words uttered from philosophers and the common man. Confusing trends are explained and analyzed, helping the reader understand concepts that create the foundations of his own thought.
Lears introduces the reader to the post-civil war era which is easily forgotten, sandwiched between two wars that shadow its very real importance. He describes the time as ripe for progress, and hungry for change, which was considered the foremost indicator of the former. Europe watched as industrialism took hold of the American continent, and transformed American life and thought. The world began to be run by numbers on clocks and inventories, and the average businessman and even worker learned to measure value by quantity rather than quality. In this new world, family became tidily separated from the harsh realm of work and was created into some idealistic haven, to which it could hardly live up to. This first section of the book is very well structured, as it describes the history and mentality of a time period, and then analyzes the degeneration of cultural and individual authority that lead to Antimodernism.
Religious authority is one of his greatest points of emphasis as his study on the morality of the time leads the reader to conceive the natural succession of Antimodernism. The stiff Victorian moral requirements remained in the changing society, but their foundation in the church was destroyed, leaving no standard by which the regulations derived their authority.
Lears' expose on the weakening belief in Hell and the Devil is some of the most interesting analysis I have read, and it left me nodding in agreement and with new-found understanding. He links the increasing fear of pain to the popular opinion that Hell was an outmoded scare tactic of uncultured ecclesiastics. I was struck with the significance and truth in his description of the Victorian mindset that grew to deny the horror and agony of death, and ended up trivializing life and cheapening salvation.
The author also investigates the "Neurasthenia" that grew from a "lowering of the mental nerve" and turned the world into an "infirmary rather than a battlefield." As he breaks down the psychology behind the supposed disease and its symptoms, the modern day American cannot help but see his culture described. When the author launched into Determinism, I smiled as he described the origins of philosophies that I encounter daily in advertising on TV or even in my own emotions and affections. The strange dichotomy of the "autonomous man" the society originally idealized and the socially dependant man it also admires is explained in an insightful way by Lears. The exceptional talent of the first is suffocated by the second, and soon any excellence is hemmed in by mediocrity. "No Place of Grace" gives an in-depth social commentary as it describes the growth and effects of a philosophy, almost like a scientist tracing a disease. I believe the book is important for any American to read, not only to understand his culture, but to see how his own worldview has been contorted.

Rating:
Summary: Antimodernism Indepth
Review: "No Place of Grace" is a revealing book that gives insight into a philosophy that has shaped American history in an extraordinary way. T.J. Jackson Lears is an excellent author and shows his thorough knowledge of the philosophy and the culture that gave birth to it. Every sentence in the book is carefully crafted with well-chosen words, as Lears does not waste the reader's time with incomprehensible terminology. He employs rhetorical devices with an ease that gives his writing a fluid rhythm, as his analogies couple words in a way that makes his meaning seem more poignant. By interspersing quotes, the author gives variety and realism to the text. He describes a philosophy, and then brings it to life with the words uttered from philosophers and the common man. Confusing trends are explained and analyzed, helping the reader understand concepts that create the foundations of his own thought.
Lears introduces the reader to the post-civil war era which is easily forgotten, sandwiched between two wars that shadow its very real importance. He describes the time as ripe for progress, and hungry for change, which was considered the foremost indicator of the former. Europe watched as industrialism took hold of the American continent, and transformed American life and thought. The world began to be run by numbers on clocks and inventories, and the average businessman and even worker learned to measure value by quantity rather than quality. In this new world, family became tidily separated from the harsh realm of work and was created into some idealistic haven, to which it could hardly live up to. This first section of the book is very well structured, as it describes the history and mentality of a time period, and then analyzes the degeneration of cultural and individual authority that lead to Antimodernism.
Religious authority is one of his greatest points of emphasis as his study on the morality of the time leads the reader to conceive the natural succession of Antimodernism. The stiff Victorian moral requirements remained in the changing society, but their foundation in the church was destroyed, leaving no standard by which the regulations derived their authority.
Lears' expose on the weakening belief in Hell and the Devil is some of the most interesting analysis I have read, and it left me nodding in agreement and with new-found understanding. He links the increasing fear of pain to the popular opinion that Hell was an outmoded scare tactic of uncultured ecclesiastics. I was struck with the significance and truth in his description of the Victorian mindset that grew to deny the horror and agony of death, and ended up trivializing life and cheapening salvation.
The author also investigates the "Neurasthenia" that grew from a "lowering of the mental nerve" and turned the world into an "infirmary rather than a battlefield." As he breaks down the psychology behind the supposed disease and its symptoms, the modern day American cannot help but see his culture described. When the author launched into Determinism, I smiled as he described the origins of philosophies that I encounter daily in advertising on TV or even in my own emotions and affections. The strange dichotomy of the "autonomous man" the society originally idealized and the socially dependant man it also admires is explained in an insightful way by Lears. The exceptional talent of the first is suffocated by the second, and soon any excellence is hemmed in by mediocrity. "No Place of Grace" gives an in-depth social commentary as it describes the growth and effects of a philosophy, almost like a scientist tracing a disease. I believe the book is important for any American to read, not only to understand his culture, but to see how his own worldview has been contorted.

Rating:
Summary: Roots of Antimodernism
Review: From the start of the first chapter the obvious decline of the American society is made known-that the decline was due to "overcivilization." In the late nineteenth century a shift in the American culture had resulted in the ideal of the autonomous person. Life was about material comforts and moral complacency. This is still obvious today. This chapter shows how our society became what it is because of the changes in urban life and business. Western culture today has suffered from the industrial revolutions in Europe and America, though most people do not believe that.
Antimodernism took its roots against this evolving society that was based on growth and technology. Ministers and moralists tried to place morality on this changing nation, but did not leave a large enough impact. The growth of modernism meant that the average American was never still, using every second of time that they had to continue to pursue their material comforts. Lears has an evident negative reaction towards the changes in late nineteenth century America. The growth of modernism was trying to reach the peak in history where perfection would be met among all of the autonomous individuals. But can everyone be his own boss? One hundred years ago, the religious and strong moralists strayed from society's tendencies to cling to material comforts. The family had to remain a perfect ideal, which would lead to a progressive and perfect economy. In this evolving society the strong moralists tried to tie the capitalist market with the traditional Christian family and shy from all things material. Society has hardly been affected. Today strong moralists and Christians should continue to strive to make a difference in this capitalistic and autonomous society. Antimodernism has grown since the turn of the century but most have taken it to be an escape from the ideals.
Everything of importance can not be proved scientifically. Antimodernists tried to show this, that life couldn't be whittled down to just scientific facts. Focusing all intellectual efforts only on science is far from the perfect ideal, but in effect is can lead towards the demise of life's purpose. This chapter introduces and supports the true meaning and purpose of antimodernism and the problems with in the current culture. This book goes against the average American's beliefs concerning the essence of society and economy. We have all been programmed to follow the self-centered material culture because of these nineteenth century changes. Some of us have been blessed enough to recognize these problems with the modern ideals for the purpose of the human life. Even if one agrees with the way things are, you must have a reason for it. No Place of Grace by Lears shows how the antimodernist has its roots in the late nineteenth century, has a true and meaningful purpose, and is not just trying to escape what everyone else follows.

Rating:
Summary: Nostalgic for the Bad Old Days...
Review: Lears' book is a classic of its field, and makes a compelling argument about the varied responses of Progressive-era middle-class men to the sense of crisis caused by the beginnings of modernity. He discusses what he terms a 'search for authenticity' provoked by the artificial world of modernity, focuses on the Arts and Crafts movement and the turn-of-the-century fascination with the Middle Ages at length, and ends the book with detailed biographies of six men who all responded with angst and despair to the changing times. That said, there are two big problems (in my opinion). One is Lears' nostalgia for this world that was lost; but that world was one in which blacks were slaves, women were unenfranchised, and lynchings were routine; for a LOT of Americans, the onset of the modern era brought change for the good. Those Americans do not exist in Lears' world, and the fact that he shares his subjects' hunger for a time when women and minorities knew their place becomes nothing short of disturbing by the end of the book. Linked to this is his unquestioning acceptance of the idea that the pre-modern world was more 'authentic,' even as he repeatedly presents it as a place populated only by white middle- and upper-class men. Where does authenticity lie? Why is buying expensive furniture from a craftsman posing as an old-fashioned artisan more authentic than going to Coney Island, or reading Walter Scott more authentic than reading dime novels about The James Gang? Authenticity, for Lears, lies in middle-class culture, no matter how artificial the conditions of its creation. Considering the work that's been done on the vibrant working-class cultures of the Progressive Era, one wonders if he's looking for authenticity in all the wrong places.

Rating:
Summary: No Place of Grace
Review: No Place of Grace by T.J. Jackson Lears gives an interesting and insightful outlook on the way America's culture has been molded and on how its traditions and overall mindset have been changed. It would seem that an entire culture could not be uniformly affected, but this book really shows how we all fall victim to certain trends and influences. It is important to acknowledge the change and so called progress that America has gone through. By being aware of the impact of social and economical changes, we can have a new perspective of how we view life and of what we consider true prosperity and success.
America was becoming a nation of abundant wealth and continuing technological and economical progress. Success and improvement were in high demand and were partly defined by the material gain. Anti modernists clung to their morals and saw the error made by insisting on constant progress in production and strict use of time. The time clock gave way to the nation's outlook on the importance of time, and now not a minute could be wasted. The nation was in a constant hurry. The people were in such a rush to produce, that they began to overlook the importance of quality.
Lears describes the change in American families. There was a transition from the wife who raises the family and helps manage the farm to a wife who is privileged to a life with finer things and only having to take care of the family as the husband works. Now there were fewer children, and each child was given more attention. The wife was also expected to be a source of strength and support for the husband. Men were continually seeking to be "self-made" and thought they must be prosperous in their work in order to be successful.
Religion was also a topic that Lears gave and interesting outlook on. The moral outlook of the time was strict; however, the church was losing its influence, and now there was no basis for the morals civilization was based on. What was right and wrong anymore? This is an arresting question that Lears poses.
Lears provides some interesting insights concerning the change of the way of life. He causes you to question how much of the change in society has been an actual benefit. He illustrates the society tactfully, providing a vivid image of the background of our culture. He not only points out the way people were influenced in the beginning of the industrial era, but he also shows how our culture is continually affected by the past change. Lears alerts us of how we have been trained to be a consumer society obsessed with material progress, and he explains how our society has arrived at this point.
Lears structures this book well with a good balance of the facts and his opinion. The book is not overpowered with one-sided opinions, but it allows you to think for yourself, and it guides you to consider different questions and ideas that you never thought of before. Once you get past the terms you don't understand, the message of the book shows through. This is an important book to read in order to realize the changes our society has gone through and acknowledge some of the faults of the structure of our society.

Rating:
Summary: No Place of Grace
Review: No Place of Grace by T.J. Jackson Lears gives an interesting and insightful outlook on the way America's culture has been molded and on how its traditions and overall mindset have been changed. It would seem that an entire culture could not be uniformly affected, but this book really shows how we all fall victim to certain trends and influences. It is important to acknowledge the change and so called progress that America has gone through. By being aware of the impact of social and economical changes, we can have a new perspective of how we view life and of what we consider true prosperity and success.
America was becoming a nation of abundant wealth and continuing technological and economical progress. Success and improvement were in high demand and were partly defined by the material gain. Anti modernists clung to their morals and saw the error made by insisting on constant progress in production and strict use of time. The time clock gave way to the nation's outlook on the importance of time, and now not a minute could be wasted. The nation was in a constant hurry. The people were in such a rush to produce, that they began to overlook the importance of quality.
Lears describes the change in American families. There was a transition from the wife who raises the family and helps manage the farm to a wife who is privileged to a life with finer things and only having to take care of the family as the husband works. Now there were fewer children, and each child was given more attention. The wife was also expected to be a source of strength and support for the husband. Men were continually seeking to be "self-made" and thought they must be prosperous in their work in order to be successful.
Religion was also a topic that Lears gave and interesting outlook on. The moral outlook of the time was strict; however, the church was losing its influence, and now there was no basis for the morals civilization was based on. What was right and wrong anymore? This is an arresting question that Lears poses.
Lears provides some interesting insights concerning the change of the way of life. He causes you to question how much of the change in society has been an actual benefit. He illustrates the society tactfully, providing a vivid image of the background of our culture. He not only points out the way people were influenced in the beginning of the industrial era, but he also shows how our culture is continually affected by the past change. Lears alerts us of how we have been trained to be a consumer society obsessed with material progress, and he explains how our society has arrived at this point.
Lears structures this book well with a good balance of the facts and his opinion. The book is not overpowered with one-sided opinions, but it allows you to think for yourself, and it guides you to consider different questions and ideas that you never thought of before. Once you get past the terms you don't understand, the message of the book shows through. This is an important book to read in order to realize the changes our society has gone through and acknowledge some of the faults of the structure of our society.

Rating:
Summary: roots of antimodernism
Review: No Place of Grace is a well crafted book which gives us a new prospective into the ever changing American way of thought which has lead America to be what it is today. Some of the main issues that T.J. Jackson Lears focuses on are the antimodernism in early industrial America, religion, politics, neurasthenia, and the psychological impacts that this had on the people after the civil war through the early twentieth century. Lears discusses the issues in such a way that it is quite easy to understand the complexity of the time. He has an amazing grasp on many of the areas of tension in the industrial age as well as a grasp on various social and political issues. His extensive knowledge of the English language makes his writing much more concise. T.J. Jackson Lears' use of interesting facts and quotes gives this book much more flavor and spice. One of the most interesting comparisons that Lears makes is he compares the way that the ideal human body back then was with a bit of a pouch to show leisure and wealth and compares how the idea of wealth and leisure have created a entirely new outlook for Americans. As Lears' fallows the American train of thought he shows how America was a place that was constantly struggling with its self in the realm of the mind with two groups at both extremes pushing their view. One very interesting example of this is the fight over whether certain looked down upon traits such as drinking or anti social behavior was hereditary or of specific to a certain individual. One battle over this was the court hearing of a man who clamed to be "healing" the republican party by fallowing orders from God and killing a man who was causing fractions. This hearing was also very important in the social crisis that the republicans believed was going on. The thought that communists and anarchists were secretly meeting and scheming against the middle class higher class Anglo Saxons and drawing the ever increasing lower class immigrants into their plans was a very disturbing idea to the republicans. The republicans were also very wary of fallowing the European and making the same mistakes that they did. As a republican writer for the New York Tribune wrote "poverty, thrift, prosperity, wealth, luxury, corruptness, degradation, in these seven words the fate of many great empires is told." In order to combat what was considered to be "race suicide" great stores of weapons were stocked up in many of the large cities. With all of these changes came a change in religion. It became more of a happy social time with the consept of hell and of the devil put in the back on peoples minds. This fueled what is called the "modern Doubt". T.J. Jackson Lears fully explains the impactions of the changes in society during the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century in an interesting and insightful way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is interested in learning about the complete history of America.

Rating:
Summary: roots of antimodernism
Review: No Place of Grace is a well crafted book which gives us a new prospective into the ever changing American way of thought which has lead America to be what it is today. Some of the main issues that T.J. Jackson Lears focuses on are the antimodernism in early industrial America, religion, politics, neurasthenia, and the psychological impacts that this had on the people after the civil war through the early twentieth century. Lears discusses the issues in such a way that it is quite easy to understand the complexity of the time. He has an amazing grasp on many of the areas of tension in the industrial age as well as a grasp on various social and political issues. His extensive knowledge of the English language makes his writing much more concise. T.J. Jackson Lears' use of interesting facts and quotes gives this book much more flavor and spice. One of the most interesting comparisons that Lears makes is he compares the way that the ideal human body back then was with a bit of a pouch to show leisure and wealth and compares how the idea of wealth and leisure have created a entirely new outlook for Americans. As Lears' fallows the American train of thought he shows how America was a place that was constantly struggling with its self in the realm of the mind with two groups at both extremes pushing their view. One very interesting example of this is the fight over whether certain looked down upon traits such as drinking or anti social behavior was hereditary or of specific to a certain individual. One battle over this was the court hearing of a man who clamed to be "healing" the republican party by fallowing orders from God and killing a man who was causing fractions. This hearing was also very important in the social crisis that the republicans believed was going on. The thought that communists and anarchists were secretly meeting and scheming against the middle class higher class Anglo Saxons and drawing the ever increasing lower class immigrants into their plans was a very disturbing idea to the republicans. The republicans were also very wary of fallowing the European and making the same mistakes that they did. As a republican writer for the New York Tribune wrote "poverty, thrift, prosperity, wealth, luxury, corruptness, degradation, in these seven words the fate of many great empires is told." In order to combat what was considered to be "race suicide" great stores of weapons were stocked up in many of the large cities. With all of these changes came a change in religion. It became more of a happy social time with the consept of hell and of the devil put in the back on peoples minds. This fueled what is called the "modern Doubt". T.J. Jackson Lears fully explains the impactions of the changes in society during the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century in an interesting and insightful way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is interested in learning about the complete history of America.

Rating:
Summary: No Place of Grace
Review: No Place of Grace, by T. J. Jackson Lears, is an interesting commentary on the movements and schools of thought that rose up in the late nineteenth century. What makes it so interesting isn't the copious first hand accounts that Lears quotes which bring the text to life or the huge amounts of raw information that he serves packed into every sentence; the most interesting fact about this book is that much of the thought and practices that started in the late nineteenth century have affect how think today. Lears tells how urbanization, industrialization, and prosperity all helped change almost everything about the gilded age's culture and the reader can't help but notice how these resultant ideas paved their way into the twentieth century.
The work place was transformed to be a workplace to be modeled after an efficient working machine. It was during this period that time clock was invented and people started to use the phrase "on time." It was also during this time when the drug abuse originated. Much like the citizens of Brave New World, people took "holidays" to get away from their efficient working lives consuming narcotics such as opium, heroin, and morphine.
Urbanization transformed American from a country that thrived on farming to an urban and industrial country, and with that transformation there was consequently a shift from a producer society to a consumer society. There became a link between progress and material wealth. With all of their prosperity people generally thought society and all the world was constantly moving towards a better state, which made people totally ignore heaven and hell.
The movement was so widespread that it even affected the church. Sermons were shortened to be more efficient with time (which I wish is still in effect today). Pastors were regarded as successful by the size of their flock and instead of focusing on their congregation they increasingly focused more on the business world. The idea of relativism took grasp as pastors would not preach hot topics that would raise controversy.
As I read all of this I could not help but think of how much it seemed like our culture today. It is truly amazing how the thoughts and ideas of a hundred and fifty years ago could affect us so much, but they have. If you are an American and you take your citizenship seriously I would say that you should read this not only to better understand where the notions that are in your head have come from, but also where our society is going in terms of how these ideas might evolve into other ideas; and what changes should be made to correct the mistakes. No Places of Grace enables you to stand back and look at the origins of thoughts of today and fully grasp either their fallacies or their utter truth, which in my opinion can lead you to greater appreciation for being an American citizen. The choice is yours! Will you take your citizenship seriously and read this book?

Rating:
Summary: No Place of Grace
Review: T.J. Jackson Lears is a great writer who gives us an informative look into many of the cultural flaws, trials, and undertakings our society has gone through in the past hundred years. These flaws are explained, and opinionated on, in his compelling book, No Place of Grace. In the first section of this book, he writes in great detail about the rise of our culture's modernism and antimodernism- where it came from, when it was molded into a philosophy, and its effect it had on today's culture. He writes about the late nineteenth century, and the cultural authority that took place during this time.
He explains to us just how much urbanization of Western culture has changed and influenced how our society lives and thinks forever. The rapid growth of this change was the starting block for all nineteenth century antimodernists. Lears himself shows his great negative view points on the changes modernism made on our culture, and he goes on to demonstrate many of the problems our society suffers because of this modernistic growth. He explains that Americans, as a result to modernism, are always busy with never enough time in the day, and always wanting more that what he has. He discusses, with great disgust, the degeneration of church, industry, and even family. Families became too busy for church, and the idea of hell became more of a children's story than a reality. Businesses now strive for quantity instead of quality; hard work was over-run by efficiency. The technological advances we have grown accustomed to, has made us a society of lazy gluttons. He reminds us that there once was a time when work and family went hand in hand. A farm stayed in the family for generations, and they worked hard together for exactly what they needed to survive. Now that capitalism has grown, and small family businesses have diminished, work and family are kept completely separate.
To Lears, Culture is a well known and very interesting issue, for he has written many other books on the very topic. He demonstrates his knowledge on the subject with exceptionally strong arguments, and also shows his very wide knowledge of English. Each word you come across helps you to better understand his point, and he never fails to use a perfectly placed analogy where ever he saw fit, and such vivid imagery throughout to even further the strength of his sound arguments, and help clarify them to any reader lost in the mass of information. I found this book to be very interesting. Hearing the negative sides of our culture's modernistic ways made me feel a lack of integrity and pride from our ever-expanding urbanistic society. Although Lears gave great insight into antimodernistic views, I believe there are so many more positive aspects to urbanization than he leads the reader to believe, and I would have liked to see if the pros and cons are really as unbalanced as he makes it seem. It is, of course, important to know and understand exactly where and when these faults and flaws of Americans today came from, but it is also important to understand how far we have advanced and how much we have achieved.