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Author bungles interesting topic
Published:
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Cover of America, An Immigrant’s Perspective
Dr Glenville Ashby
America: An Immigrant’s Perspective is anything but “immigrant.” Author Michael Cadore was born in Grenada, served several tours with the US navy and now wears the badge of a proud American.
His writings reflect that much. His patriotism drivels through the pages, concluding with: “For there distinguishably exist two recognisable political parties but only one country; an ideal opportunity for us, Americans, to fully rededicate our love for and patriotism to the homeland in these…her most trying times.”
And that’s fine.
However, one would think that when an immigrant ponders world affairs he would at least discuss issues impacting his region of origin. Cadore does not, and that’s a pity.
In Perspective, he discusses a number of pressing subjects that affect US domestic and international policies, bolstering his arguments with charts and tables.
With the exception of his immigration solution in which Mexico is addressed, and his mention of establishing dialogue with Cuba, the author has somehow forgotten that the Caribbean and Latin America are integral to global affairs.
Instead, Cadore prefers to discuss China’s expansionism, the US deficit, nuclear proliferation, North Korea’s belligerence, and geo-politics and balance of power in the Middle East.
He is well read, his assessments are detailed, and he displays some grasp of international economics, politics, and diplomacy.
However, there is little in the way of originality.
His view on gay enlistment is well taken.
“Even if our military policies do not readily allow for gay service members there is still the high probability that our servicemen...will operationally interact with foreign troops…..”
He comprehensively examines the “Chinese dilemma” and offers: “Simply expressed, the philosophical Chinese are quickly outmaneuvering the rest of our world as we know it. For theirs is one of the oldest civilisations that has not only understood but mastered the art of living—the articulate art of patience while meticulously strategising its shrewdly-expansionist intent.”
An interesting overview.
But on the immigration question he writes: “…the US should not only concentrate on its southern border but devise more comprehensive reform that entail mechanisms that effectively incorporate and purposefully address the apprehension of once-legal entrants and sponsors who, by reasons of forfeit, now violate the terms and conditions, and tenure of entry.”
A surprising thought. After all, these are the sentiments of the political right who are at the receiving end of Cadore’s scolding.
Cadore can be insightful—his background in finance lending credence to his diagnosis of the global economy. But these attributes do not translate into sound authorship. And that’s the damning truth about Perspective.
His is a literary style that is unnecessarily verbose, even incongruous at times—exhausting the reader and detracting from his more salient points.
In the end, Perspective proves to be nothing more than an amalgam of ideas and opinions presented in a rambling, almost exigent style—at times befitting an orator.
It is void of direction and thematic approach—hallmarks of good authorship.
As a treatise on US policy, Perspective fails to deliver the hair-raising arguments likened to Niall Ferguson or Noam Chomsky.
The problem is that Cadore’s endeavor lacks comparative-historical research and analysis.
He opts to showcase his knowledge on too vast a landscape, when it is advisable in a work of this genre, to thoroughly explore a single theme.
Would that the author had taken a page from the Chinese and exercised patience—pursuing a single subject with all the literary tools at his disposal, maybe Perspective would be far more relevant.
Cadore is better served expressing these opinions as a blogger or columnist.
Ratings: ** (Useful)
America: An Immigrant Perspective by Michael Caldore
Xlibris Corporation, 2011
ISBN 978-4568-7211-3
—Dr Glenville Ashby
New York correspondent
The Guardian Media Group
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