Steve Darnall

The three star review is solely based on Alex Ross where as Steve Darnall's writing deserves a two. Uncle Sam seems to be a washed up, has-been, liberal who embodies more the hippie movement than the American ideal. A symbol of the United States should never be used for ones political gain unless if it's for propaganda.

I like how Darnell reminded people of the United States treatment towards slavery, Native American genocide, and poverty but it fell short when it was clear the writer wanted to use Uncle Sam to attack Republican politicians for corruption and lying (as if the Democrats never do anything like that).

Also Marianne is treated like she was irrelevant after Napoleon and never to be seen or heard from again, don't tell Darnell that she is still very much alive in the French Republic.

So if a writer wants to anything using national personification they should avoid party politics and go on a independent slant. Liberals nor conservatives own Uncle Sam and if he were real he'd be pointing faults at all parties not cherry-pick them.… (more)