Our Country's Founders: A Book of Advice for Young People

I love this book, and have already reccomended it to my Mother and a few good friends. I bought this book for my 12 year old son, but am afraid that it will be too difficult for him to read. The book consists of speeches, letters and articles written by our founding fathers and mothers with a brief commentary by William Bennett. I have to admit that I have a dictionary by my bed to look up words that I don't know, and there are MANY. Our Founders wrote eloquently, but it is sometimes hard to follow. The messages that our founders were conveying in their correspondences are relevent today. I have been inspired to be more industrious and work on my other faults.

Bennett's take on the personalities of the men and women that birthed this nation is compelling and rewarding. He pulls selected writings from a variety of sources, and his choices are at times very un-politically correct. For instance, one passage by Hamilton details the regret and angst that plagued him in his last hours before his ill-fated duel. Other passages hi-lite the nobility and bravery that many exhibited in the most trying of times. The cast of characters is complete: Adams and his wife, Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Lafayette, etc. This book in fact does what other books for young adults only pretend - treating young minds as capable and inquisitive and able to handle a harsh reality. In all, a thought-provoking book with good commentary by the editor.