His America is an empire in its death throes, palsied by self-indulgence -- the natural result of a citizenry absolutely demanding a level of benefits it absolutely refuses to pay for, with no adult leadership to force reason.Brooks' patented tone of voice, his mournful, hangdog peevishness with a wry edge, comes through so clearly here, you would swear big swaths of 2030 were dictated out loud.