Writings herald patriotism
NonfictionTwo new books showcase America's enduring spirit of freedom

By Dennie Hall Comments 0
Published: October 19, 2008

Many new books these days reflect the gloom of hard economic times and a frustrating war. Therefore, it is refreshing to review writing that harks back to more idealistic eras when people were more hopeful and the country was a beacon of freedom and liberty.

Two such books have just been published. Paul Aron, senior editor and writer for Colonial Williamsburg, has written “We Hold These Truths ... and Other Words That Made America” (Rowman & Littlefield, $18.95).

The other book is “The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America” (Thomas Nelson, $32.99). Authors are William J. Bennett, former secretary of education under President Reagan and author of 17 books, and John T.E. Cribb, writer and president of the Palmetto Creative Group, a communications firm.

Aron's book, with illustrations by David Smith, contains articles about such diverse people as Abigail and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere and George Washington.

Abigail Adams, writing to husband John regarding the Declaration of Independence, admonished him to “remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.” Recall that this was long before women could vote.

While we could agree with Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try men's souls,” let us also remember that he said, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”

Bennett and Cribb's book is touted as “a compilation of events, symbols and heroes that celebrate the remarkable history and character of the United States.” It is divided into 365 entries, one for each day of the year. Each entry recalls events on that day in the nation's history.

For example, on this date — Oct. 19 — an entry reads, “ ... in 1781, British soldiers filed out of their trenches at Yorktown, Va., laid down their arms, and surrendered their flags. At that moment the American Revolution effectively ended.”

It continues, “Bands played as the British troops filed between the French and American soldiers. The Americans played ‘Yankee Doodle.' The British played a tune called ‘The World Turned Upside Down.' After Yorktown, the British realized there was no point in fighting the upstart colonists any longer. Americans had won their freedom.”

Oct. 19, 1987, was the day remembered as Black Monday on Wall Street, when the Dow dropped 508 points, or 22.6 percent.

The book also contains poems, founding documents, songs and prayers. It is called “a guide to understanding why we love this wonderful country so much.”

These two books are important references and would make highly desirable holiday gifts.