The Greatest of All Time: A History of an American Obsession

Eleff, Zev

ISBN 10: 1009572733 / ISBN 13: 9781009572736

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2025

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Synopsis:

Americans love to talk about 'greatness.' In this book, Zev Eleff explores the phenomenon of 'greatness' culture and what Americans really mean when they talk about greatness. Greatness discourse provides a uniquely American language for participants to discuss their 'ideal' aspirational values and make meaning of their personal lives. The many incarnations and insinuations of 'greatness' suggest more about those carrying on the conversation than they do about those being discussed. An argument for Abraham Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt over George Washington as America's greatest statesman says as much about the speaker as it does about the legacies of former US presidents. Making a case for the Beatles, Michael Jordan, or Mickey Mouse involves the prioritization of politics and perspectives. The persistence of Henry Ford as a great American despite his toxic antisemitism offers another layer to this historical phenomenon. Using a variety of compelling examples, Eleff sheds new new light on “greatness” and its place in American culture.

About the Author: Zev Eleff is President and Professor of American Jewish History at Gratz College. He is the author, most recently, of Dyed in Crimson: Football, Faith, and Remaking Harvard's America.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Greatest of All Time: A History of an ...
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: 2025
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Like New