If Only They Didn't Speak English: Notes From Trump's America

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Aside from his assiduous use of social media, he suggests that Trump’s use of fake news and post-truth (the use of ‘alternative facts’ to replace actual facts and where where feelings have more weight than evidence) have had a huge impact on a significant number of Americans. A well written account of the things that Jon Sopel really likes about the USA which, thankfully, chimes perfectly with what I've found, travelling there for around ten years. Favourite section was on the Special Relationship between the UK and the US - definitely one to revisit in future. At first glance, it appears that we do share the religion and of course we share the language – or at least we think we do. Huge industries and amounts of money are thrown at this problem which kills a mere handful of people annually.

Sopel’s most glaring difficulty in writing about American culture is that he hasn’t lived here long enough to really get a handle on America. And I think if the economy improves, Trump will be re-elected as he has completely managed to re-create the outdated concept of democracy. He doesn't dismiss Trump voters as "learning disabled" but suggests some rationale for their enthusiasm.The US and England share a language, some history and a long, if not in reality, the ‘special’ often discussed, relationship.

Sopel clearly loves America and has a lot of time for Americans and their way of life, though, which is oddly nice to read. Jon Sopel dissects our misunderstandings of US thought, their fundamental assumptions, background philosophy.To give the UK its due, their churches are awesome, and I mean that word in its best sense—awe-inspiring. Jon is not only candid but unreservedly non-partisan when it comes to explaining this relationship in its historical context. Sopel brings a light touch in the style he presents his book in, it takes a heavy subject and gives it a little helium.

He does help to explain the shocking election of Trump, recommending that we do not dismiss those who voted for him as class one eejits. This anecdote is covered in the opening Section of this book which goes on to reflect on Sopel’s time in America and his thoughts on Trump and the country he now leads. Jon Sopel compares and contrasts Trump and Obama, evenly and fairly and also goes back in the short history of the States to illuminate points he is making.

Paul’s Cathedral, York Minster) the less famous (Durham Cathedral, Liverpool Cathedral) and the local Derby church (Derby Cathedral). His experience of living in a wealthy area and interacting with educated professionals informs his impressions and generalizations of American life.

Trouble is these are big subjects, especially the first, and I don't think he gets much below the surface on any issue. Jon Sopel tries to explain the madness of Trump's America with an elegant sense of stoic bewilderment. In other words, that is the checked amount paid by one of the puppeteers (who plays, let’s say white) for putting his protégé into the chair; for the possibility to enjoy food and drinks on the “Board number one”. The most interesting and alarming are those on God and guns, where real insights and frightening statistics lodge in the mind.This all makes the US a superficially familiar place but as Sopel points out, the accent is on “superficially”. Jon Sopel has lived and worked in the USA for many years and has travelled the length and breadth of the continent. The road and transport infrastructure is awful- John Kerry, visiting Haiti remarked that the state of the roads was better than in Washington! Because they know exceptions to the governmental rules and the knowledge of it makes their profession lucrative. One amusing recollection I have is of Donald Trump’s reaction to Sopel at a heated White House press conference, shortly after taking office.