The irony of the past and present
Sometimes the past can start to feel like nothing more than a long list of memorized facts, but it was as real as the present is, and the book notices this quite overtly. Not only is the past relevant, it is literally the explanation for why the present is the way it is. The book tries to squeeze almost 500 years of history into one digestible narrative to explain why American life today is what it is.
The irony of globalism
When America detached itself from the British throne, it suddenly lost a major avenue for trade, so it quickly established new trade agreements as its own sovereign government with a host of new allies some of whom were also very tired of Britain at the time (like France). These are like ingredients in chemical reaction, and the industrial revolution is the catalyst of that action. Ironically, American history partially explains the rise of today's global economy—it is certainly a beautiful portrait for the dawn of the modern era.
The irony of nationalism
Although nationalism seems obviously heinous to some and self-explanatory to others, there is an insidious irony to consider. The book suggests that the competitive American market might have created a culture that addressed global affairs in a nationalistic way. The suggestion is subtle, but of course the hippies during the Vietnam War are a portrait of this double-edged tool sword of national pride.
The irony of modern warfare
The story captures the absurd nature of modern warfare by juxtaposing it to old America, like the days of the pioneers. There is a subtle irony suggested. Could it be that American culture was shaped by chronic wars with the Native Americans? That would potentially explain the American military and its unimaginable technological progress in the 20th century. In any case, tanks and flying war machines were something a Puritan would probably not have forecasted.
The irony of religion and freedom
Yes, America was founded on religious freedom, but the tight nature of early American religious communities showed that American religion is mostly about groups of people being able to do their religious life in whatever way they want. This freedom was ironic, though, because it led to the secularization of America, and also, the concept of American freedom has been construed in many, many ways. The religious idea upon which America is founded is both disciplined order and progressive breakthrough, together. Together, they are a portrait of the tenacious spirit human progress.
