I think some of you might enjoy the book. The book certainly alludes to various leadership traits. Chris observes that American’s "like men of action instead of intellectuals." I personally don’t believe this is true. Moreover, "definitions" might be a less negative word than "notions" in the title. Nevertheless, I will second most of the ideas he portrays in the book. Chris identifies ten notions (organized as ten chapters in his book) that seem to make America what it is today. They are:

Chris observes that these appear to be typical American traits, but other authors might identify additional traits. He constantly alludes to basic instincts such as being optimistic and determination to be successful. He quotes Benjamin Franklin who said: "The Rattle-Snake is solitary, and associates with her kind only when it is necessary for their preservation."

Chris observes that when President Bush used the words, "The nation is peaceful but fierce when stirred to anger," after 9/11, it seemed like a consummate rattlesnake. However, subsequent developments seem to show signs of "mission creep." Chris observes that this could result in dangerous consequences because, "we now risk moving from reluctant warriors to bullies spoiling for a fight." My personal take on this is simply this. We can only live each day by trying to "walk our talk," try to see LIFE as it is (just be BUSY), be happy and cherish (not slight) life’s common experiences, and add to our daily prayers "loka samastha sukhino bhavantu" (meaning, may everyone in the world live in peace and harmony).

Coming back to the book American: Beyond our grandest notion, Chris perceives that these 10 themes of American-ness are constantly recycled in our movies, books, and reflected in American history. Chris observes that American’s are rebels, pioneers, fiercely independent, love their freedom, set high ideals (may be we’re not meeting some of them now), believe in success, and obsessed with being #1, in everything, be it medicine or science or whatever.

To demonstrate a transformation to a rattlesnake mode, Chris narrates how a peace loving Bogart, in the 1940s hit movie Casablanca retorts, when the Nazi chides him about getting to New York: "Well, there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn’t advise you to try to invade."

Chris refers to the Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby that reflected the American "Jazz-age" of the 1920s. He says Americans love rebels, who demonstrate their grit and show that they’re tough. In fact, Churchill became America’s hero when he stood against the Nazis because of his never-say-die fortitude and ability to articulate it. One of my favorite quotes of Sir Winston Churchill is: "the great thing is to get the true picture, whatever it is."

Chris attributes his literary skills and living, built on a role model of Nobel Prize (Literature – 1954) winning, international traveler and writer, Ernest Hemingway. He seemed to be like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, who was worth emulating. Hemingway had "been there and done that," and one could see it when he wrote it. This quality, Chris said, is something American’s like to see in their leaders.

Speaking about a common man, he alludes to Harry Truman, possibly America’s favorite democratic President. Truman demonstrated what American’s cherish: performance and not papers, because he made some of the most crucial decisions in history (including an order to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 7, 1945).

Sylvester Stallone, a true underdog, who overcame all obstacles (29 of 30 rejections on film script!), is a standing example of America’s greatest lone hero. The 1976 Academy Award best picture, Rocky, starring Stallone, is a stand-up-and-cheer saga of Rocky (Stallone), an underdog boxer who gets his million-to-one shot at love, self-respect, and the world heavyweight title. We have at least 4 additions to this, since (Rocky 5).

Coming into the championship as an underdog, Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the 1970s to win back his title. He clearly seemed to utilize a strategy of retreat and then defeat.

Although American astronauts landed on the moon during Richard Nixon’s presidency, it was President Kennedy (complete text, sound file excerpt, included in hyperlink), who pioneered a vision with long-term goals on May 25, 1961. Kennedy’s 1962 epigram, "Life is unfair" is widely quoted, but most citations omit the words that followed, "Some people are sick and others are well."

Franklin D. Roosevelt epitomized optimism. Although he became President at the depth of the Great Depression, he helped the American people regain faith in themselves, with his statements such as "Thank God, our problems are only material."

Finally, Abraham Lincoln, epitomizes American exceptionalism. Just like an optimist with a mission, Lincoln wanted to provide everyone in America with an opportunity. His second term heralded the end of the Civil War, and in his Second Inaugural Address, he said: "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds. . ."

Chris summarizes the issues that matter to the common man: family, religion, and health insurance. If these can be addressed, that would facilitate basic communication.