According to the book jacket, this book "retells the thrilling story of America from an unabashedly traditional, proudly patriotic point of view." The book contains speeches, songs, poems, and more that were written in honor of the country. The book bills itself as being "free of political correctness of any stripe," and it does deliver on that promise. As far as retelling the history of America, it falls a bit short. This is a short book, and it cannot contain all the speeches and documents from American history. I just was disappointed in some that were left out.
Washington's farewell address to his men? Not in there. Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech? Nope. Jefferson's "Wall of Separation" letter to the Virginia Baptists? Absent.
The Declaration of Independence is included, though it is only excerpted. It's really not that long a document—I'd have liked to have seen the whole thing. Surely there was room. The entire Star Spangled Banner is not included, either—just the first verse. Nobody remembers the rest of the poem anymore.
But the hazard of doing a short book like this is that things will be left out, and everyone will be upset about some document or song that is not included. I did really appreciate the timeline of American history, with events in US history listed alongside what was going on in the rest of the world. I think that is a valuable resource, and one that many Americans would do well to pay attention to. The flag code and etiquette is also something that many forget about, so its inclusion is appreciated—I just wish that the history of the flag had been included in the book, rather than just having selected flags appear on the frontispiece.
On the whole, this is a good book. I think that anyone who is studying American history will appreciate the things that are included in the book, and those who are looking for a basic book on American patriotism will not be disappointed.
Edited: PC
Article comments
1 - DrPat
The later verses of the national anthem are rather jingoistic, and were probably left out on purpose!
The "hireling and slave" referred to the British soldiers and their Tory supporters in the colonies, matched in the next verse by the reference to "freemen" (the US citizens fighting the British invasion in 1812).
My favorite is the fourth, with the essential reason for military service that resonates strongly from that war to the current day:
Emphasis mine in both cases.
2 - Warren
Yep -- it's kinda like the other verses to "Maryland, My Maryland" that they don't sing at the state house anymore. The song was written during theearly days of the Civil War, and had some unpleasant things to say about President Lincoln and the Union troops who were quelling rioting in Baltimore.
"The despot's heel is on thy shore,
Maryland, My Maryland!
His torch is at thy temple door,
Maryland, My Maryland!
Avenge the patriotic gore
That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
And be the battle queen of yore,
Maryland! My Maryland!"
3 - Warren
Or even better:
Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland, My Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain!
Maryland, My Maryland!
She meets her sisters on the plain-
"Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain
That baffles minions back amain,
Maryland! My Maryland!
I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland, My Maryland!
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland, My Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb-
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland!
4 - Pat Cummings
This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You'll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places as Cleveland.com’s Book Reviews column.
5 - Dr. Aaron R. Pulhamus
An excellent beginning to address the drift in American education. A book that should be in the hands of every American. Awaiting a revised edition.