America: The Last Best Hope, Volume 1: From the Age of Discovery to a World at War

Net net I liked this book and I look forward to the next volume (Volume 1 covers 1492 to 1914). The main reason I like it is that it summarizes in one readable place many of the lesser well known but important and intriguing aspects of American history. I have been reading up the last couple years from Washington to Lincoln to Grant to Reagan, so I had fresh and detailed readings with which to compare Bennett's work. As an example, General Washington's main strategy in the War of Independence was to last out til British citizens were weary of the war and essentially forced the king and parliament to compromise. As another example, the Bank of the United States was what kept the country out of depressions yet it was opposed furiously by Jefferson and killed off once by Jackson. Many more examples abound where famous names and anecdotes are more fully explained. A fun one is how the Donkey and Elephant became the symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties. Two aspects of Bennet's work intrigue me. First is his use of the issue of slavery as a binding thread throughout the whole of this Volume 1. Bennett discusses slavery from the beginning starting with the practice in Columbus' time. Bennett's discussion of Lincoln's political approach to emancipation is superb, as is his analysis of Calhoun's attempt to totally reverse the intent of the founders that slavery would be isolated and eliminated over time (since it could not be eliminated immediately without costing union). The second intriguing practice is Bennett's regularly defining of (to me seemingly) obvious and well-known terms. I think Bennett is targeting a newer, less textually more visually taught audience, the one that Jay Leno loves to target with his "man and woman on the street quizzes" with simple questions that get amazingly wrong but funny answers ("What is the capital of New York?, Who is Mario Cuomo? etc.) An example is defining "impressment", where British warships took American sailors off American ships into service, claiming they were British. Another example is Bennett's defining, in mentioning that Woodrow Wilson is the only president so far to have a doctorate (in political science), that "doctorate" meant he had a "Ph.D.". The book is readable and engaging for the selection of facts and principles and narrative connection that Bennett presents. I learned many new things about Teddy Roosevelt and William Taft and Woodrow Wilson and may find myself reading some more detailed works now. The book is an excellent overview of America and should both improve Jay Leno test scores (hee hee) but even more importantly lead new readers to be curious to read more about and understand and identify with American facts, ideals and issues. And it is optimistic in tone, encouraging the melting pot that is our inherited and present culture to continue and move forward together.

Some of my most favorite childhood memories were reading books in the acclaimed LANDMARK series of histories for young people, plus the Golden Book History of America, the Golden Book History of the Civil War, written by Bruce Catton and the editors of American Heritage. In the wake of the upheavals of the 1960s, the Vietnam era and Watergate, it suddenly wasn't cool to take pride in the History of America. Today, our children suffer from this lack of United States History in our school curriculums. Ever hear of Ethan Allen, or Mad Anthony Wayne, or the "Swamp Fox", Francis Marion? Or Jeb Stuart or David Farragut? Not to mention Francis Parkman? Speaking of Parkman - ever hear of Stewart Holbrooke, who wrote about "Forgotten Americans" - and became one himself. Or other fascinating historians. Even the name of Carl Sandburg is almost forgotten these days though in his vivid words and imagery he helped bring Abraham Lincoln to life in the eyes of countless Americans. Our wonderful History is largely forgotten by our citizens today, and at our own peril. At least William J. Bennett, former Secretary of Education, has done his very best to remedy this situation in his new book "America: The Last Best Hope". Bennett, known for his compelling "Book of Virtues", has written an American History that is a relatively easy read, and like the "Book of Virtues" should be required reading by Americans of ALL Ages - especially those in the formulative years. As an educator myself, I am deeply troubled by the lack of interest of our youth in learning about our history. Bill Bennett's book doesn't address all I would have wished it would, but then again, how can any one historian who is NOT of the bent of a Howard Zinn totally capture the panorama and cavalcade of the American experience. Bennett tries, and does so admirably. His chapters on both the American Revolution and the Civil War tell us what we need to know about the visionary leaders - Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, and of course George Washington. But he also tells us about Ethan Allen (albeit briefly), John Paul Jones, and Benedict Arnold. Lincoln is the heroic figure brought to life ala Sandburg, and Bennett to his credit also borrows heavily from Jay Winik, the late, great Shelby Foote, and James McPherson. Grant and Lee are noble men with flaws - Lee more so in Bennett's view for his alleigance to state, not country. Furthermore, Bennett shows he is up on current histories and controversies, as he makes an fine acknowledgement to Tom Carhart's brilliant critique of the final day at Gettysburg, when Jeb Stuart tried to roll the Union flank but was stopped by a young cavalry General by the name of Custer. For those of the Zinn bent, Bennett also more than acknowledges the wrongs. The dispossession of the Native American, especially Chief Joseph and his Nez Perces, and the slaughter of the Buffalo. In a subject perhaps uncomfortable to Liberals, he also points out the savage Racism in past D

William Bennett has long established himself as an author of sorts, not so much by what he has written, but in what he has compiled. He has given us such great compilations of writings from an array of sources in monumental books such as the Book of Virtues, The Moral Compass and Our Sacred Honor, but in his latest venture, AMERICA: THE LAST BEST HOPE, Bennett varies from the role of editor, into the full blown role of writer and does so in superb fashion. Bennett's personal indiscretions will cause the shallow minded reviewer who chooses to "kill the messenger" to delight in denigrating this fine work, but do not let that discourage you from exposure to this magnificent book. This is not just another dogged approach to American history. This is the story of America presented in a flowing narrative that is concise, insightful, accurate and teeming with adoration for the country that is, in fact, the world's last best hope for the future. Concurrently, Bennett is not averse to exposing the faults of our history in such areas as slavery and Jim Crow laws. The truly defining moments of our rich history have inclusion here. Of course, even with it's rather hefty 544 pages, it is impossible to do little more than scratch the surface, but for an overview of history, Bennett has meticulously chosen the essential events necessary to impart the desired outcome. Throughout the years, many have sought to duplicate this effort as volumes covering the matter here are abundant, but with the passage of time, I believe this work will stand the test and emerge as one of the best sources available in this venue. Not because it simply presents the history, but because it instills pride in the reader. It reaffirms all that we love about America and reminds us of how great she truly is, and how great a role those who came before us have been to building her. If you already love America, your love will be deepened here. If you are less than 50 years old, this book will perhaps shed light as to why we of older generations hold such a profound admiration for our country. These are the things that used to be openly taught in our schools. These are the stories of American history previous generations grew up with. This is the history of America that is so overlooked and even rewritten by those today who loathe our history. This book belongs in every American home. Monty Rainey www.juntosociety.com