Corey Taylor Book Review: America 51 – Red, White and Blue in the Face
America 51: A Probe Into the Realities That Are Hiding Inside “The Greatest Country in the World” by Corey Taylor
I have finally read the latest installment from best selling author, legendary frontman and all around hilariously opinionated Bigmouth, Corey Taylor. Prior to this I have read Taylor’s three other amply titled books:
- ‘Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good’,
- ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven (Or How I Made Peace With The Paranormal And Stigmatized Zealots & Cynics In The Process)’
- ‘You’re Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left’
If you’re interested in my humble opinion on those three then check out my original review here.
So far Taylor has tackled the concept of human sin, the mystery of the afterlife and the confounding lack of common sense in the world today. Now he tackles his biggest, and possibly most controversial, subject to date, the United States of America.
“My goal is clear: to bring us all back to the center as I also tell you why you’re wrong, dumb, or both. Only a cunt who cares would be crazy enough to give that a shot.”
Taylor kicks everything off in America 51 by informing us that the book started off very differently. He began writing it before the election result and with a very different outcome in mind…obviously we all know that didn’t quite work out. Now Taylor must reflect on the current political state of America and all the ‘ideals’ that Donald Trump brought with him to the White House.
Between repeatedly pointing out that even though he is President he is “NOT MY PRESIDENT” alongside calling him everything from a “Cheeto” to an “Orange Prick” Taylor’s disdain is evident from the first chapter. Yet, it is where he brings in his debate that it becomes more interesting. Taylor weighs both sides and gives almost equal amounts of shit to all of them. No party was perfect and he is smart enough to know that and understand why things have ended up the way that they have.
There is more than just political insight in this book though. As with all of Taylor’s writing it is a hard message but littered with personal anecdotes, sharp insightful quips and socially aware tandems that brings a humorous flavour.
Unfortunately, the hilarity of his other books is toned down here. I spent a little bit more time with a thoughtful furrowed brow than I did with a beaming grin. This is not necessarily a negative, this is a tough subject that really needed examining in a different way and Taylor handles it incredibly well and from both sides of the fence.
At the basis of this book, and what keeps such harsh subject matter so palatable, is Taylor’s love for his country. While demonising the Neo-Nazi resurgence and the hatred being spread around America he also praises the inclusivity, the people who fight back in the right ways and what the whole sentiment of what the American Dream could/should be. He makes sure that there’s a silver lining to some of the harsh realities.
America 51 manages to feel like reading common sense. Maybe that’s just my opinion siding with Taylor’s but it feels legit. There may be points I disagree with but if a common ground can be obtained then a common good can be found. Isn’t that the point? You may not like everything written by The Great Bigmouth but he clearly knows, and is fucking passionate about what he’s talking about. Bring on Corey Taylor’s American ‘Happily Ever After.’
