Doug Mack

Not a fan. In the guise of “reporting,” the author went into this project with what seemed like a predetermined conclusion (the USA treats its territories terribly) and then pointed out every little thing to support his opinion. He may not be wrong but he turned me off when he belittled the US Virgin Island’s museum & then did the same for other territory museums. A reporter, in my humble opinion, should try to remain neutral and see where the facts lead. I felt he didn’t even try to do so. The narrator didn’t help—his voice was condescending much of the time. I learned a lot, but the way he disseminated the facts grated on me. I’d love to learn more about the territories, but not from this author. At least he piqued my interest in them.… (plus d'informations)

Quick: name the 4 American territories that aren't Puerto Rico.

I'm betting my BookLikes friends are the most likely to know some of them, but probably not all of them. Of the 5 populated territories, I knew of 4, although I couldn't have reeled them off on command; 1 (Northern Mariana Islands) was completely new to me.

Now, how many of us could speak knowledgeably about what it means to be a territory of the US? Are they citizens? Can they vote? Do they pay taxes? Does the US Constitution apply to them? Answers: Yes, except American Somoa. Not for president, although they can vote in presidential primaries. No. Yes, but only some of it - the parts that Congress arbitrarily decides to apply.

Sounds all kinds of screwed up, doesn't it? What's more screwed up though is that I knew almost none of this, and most Americans don't either. That's what prompted me to buy this book - it's embarrassing not to know this stuff about my own country, especially living overseas and being asked by people: what's the deal with Guam? and having to respond um... it's an island?

Doug Mack is a travel writer with a degree in American Studies, and he didn't know either, but he decided to dig into the issues that make the territories not states and try to find out why they've so completely fallen off the radar of almost all Americans, including our politicians (a congressman introduced the American Samoan representative as being from American Samolia - and massacred the man's name). Mack visited each of the 5 territories himself, talking to whomever he could, researching their cultures and searching out the very little written about them over the decades, and speaking to the two (2!) people in the country well versed enough in the legalities to answer constitutional questions.

The results are enlightening, horrifying, and eye-opening. Most Americans probably know about Puerto Rico's seesaw to-be-or-not-to-be-a-state, but the other territories are quite happy not being a state. Further, American Samoans - the only territory where the residents are not US citizens (they're residents, but without the green card) - are, for the most part, happy not being citizens. That's not to say there aren't extreme disadvantages and challenges for the territories, but Mack does a brilliant job illustrating just how difficult it is for them to balance being American with preserving their distinctive cultures and identities. Mack also outlines brief histories of each territory, and some of the legal precedence for why they are set up the way they are, and why it's so hard to define their place in the US. Or, you know, remember they exist.

This is a huge task and though he does it entertainingly, he does not pretend to do it comprehensively. Every part of this subject is a quagmire of questions that have no easy answers and no good solutions. But Mack's willing to give it a try, and he does it in a very readable, balanced narrative. The talking points are innumerable - MT and I have discussed this book's points until we're both hoarse - and for that alone, the author gets 4.5 stars from me. MT felt like a few questions went unanswered, and he's less than thrilled about my new enthusiasm for an American Samoa holiday (it's a seafood thing), but he's not reviewing this book, I am, and I say if you have any interest in the part of America that isn't often thought of as being part of America, this would definitely be a great place to start.… (plus d'informations)

The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack is a 2017 W.W. Norton Company publication.

These places are cool. These people are wonderful. Why the hell doesn’t anyone in the states know anything about them?

The embarrassing truth is I knew absolutely nothing about the American commonwealths or territories before a 2016 segment of “Last Week Tonight” on HBO, in which John Oliver broke down the set-up in Puerto Rico, which left me utterly flabbergasted. (Look it up on YouTube if you get a chance- It has Lin-Manuel Miranda as the special guest- too.)

I did know a tiny bit about Guam, thanks to a few family members who, as Navy reservist, travelled to Guam on occasion. Still, I had absolutely no idea how the laws worked or what the resident’s rights were, or anything about the economy, etc.

I wanted to learn more about the territories, so when this book popped up on my radar a few years back, I immediately added it to my list. I pushed it up to the top of the pile when Puerto Rico was slammed by hurricane Maria and a dispute arose over how much aid and assistance the US owed them.

Unfortunately, the book slid back down the list again. It wasn’t until I decided to clean up my Goodreads ‘to read’ shelf that I was reminded of it. I plucked it off the list immediately and started reading through it a little at a time.

The book reads a little bit like a travelogue, as the author, who fancied himself to be quite knowledgeable about the US, only to realize he knew nothing at all about the US territories and decided to make them his next travel destination.

Mack enjoys himself, for the most part, doing touristy things, but also chats up the locals and does plenty of research, even dropping in reading suggestions for a better understanding of each area he visited.

The complicated history and incredible laws that give the residents a few freedoms of the states, but depriving them of many others, is explained by laying `out the pros and cons in each territory.

In the case of Samoa, the residents are considered ‘Nationals’ but not citizens- of either the US or Samoa. How weird is that?

Yet, citizenships foes say:

Look, we understand the rights we’re giving up. But those rights actually aren’t so important to us, given that they’d come, inevitably, as a forced package deal with greater Federal scrutiny of our island and our culture- and with ever-greater American cultural and political takeover. It will lead, inevitably, to further erosion if not willful eradication of our traditional ways. Just look at Hawaii.

Oh snap! Yikes!

While there are compelling arguments to remain ‘status quo’ for the residents of all the territories, there are very compelling arguments for statehood, too.

The argument is debated- albeit in a good natured way- in Puerto Rico almost daily- at the time this book was published- with was before Hurricane Maria. I'm not sure if that event changed the dynamics of the debate or not.

I did like the unique approach the author implemented because we hear directly from the residents, and experience the food, customs, and landscaping along with the history and law lessons. It also keeps the book from becoming a dry read.

Overall, this a nice introduction to the topic of United States territories and commonwealths. It explains things- in as easy to understand way as is possible under the circumstances.

I think it would be wise to jot down the recommended reading the author suggested, for more serious, in- depth, and less casual, information.

From a personal standpoint, I will admit I felt very frustrated by what the author aptly describes as ‘dysfunction’-but the author also gently reminds readers ‘that the residents are proud of their homelands and have no interest in your pity or your patronizing’.

I think we could all benefit from educating ourselves on this subject! It is a fascinating, but also will help put a few things into proper perspective.

Despite all the complications,though, it is also very important, in my opinion, to remember the residents of these territories are Americans too, and we should never balk at providing assistance, especially in times of disaster and real human need.

The US has profited from Puerto Rico thanks to a few quirky tax laws over the years, and besides, like John Oliver said- We owe Puerto Rico for Lin-Manuel Miranda. 😁😁😁

4 stars… (plus d'informations)

A pretty good introduction to the 5 US territories (Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam, American Samoa, and CNMI/Saipan.), and a small bit about other US possessions, although a bit too much travelogue and not enough about business and politics. Unfortunately the PR and USVI sections were written before Hurricane Maria, so it would be nice if there were a revised and updated edition.

The author includes the history of each, as well as the economic and cultural concerns, plus addresses the overarching issue of representation and status with respect to the US. Probably would have been better if he had also visited with the mainland communities from the territories to get their input as well (NY for Puerto Rico and Hawaii and Los Angeles for the Pacific territories), and might have been worth including information about Alaska and especially Hawaii as a counterpoint, but overall it was a good book about a topic most people have never considered.… (plus d'informations)