[.ca] A Patriot's Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories,& Speeches ... (ISBN 1401307671)

Fun to Read:
Ms. Kennedy has compiled a great set of pictures, speeches, and excerpts from literature that does more than represent America. They help show how America and Americans are somewhat unique from others. . . and maybe even a little odd. The words (all of them, made up by the British to make fun of our troops) to Yankee Doodle. Lincoln's first inaugural. The Bill of Rights. Martin Luther King's "Letters from a Birmingham Jail". Transcripts of a trial against Susan B. Anthony after she voted....before suffrage was passed. Excerpts from "Death of a Salesman" and "To Kill a Mockingbird". Gerald Ford's remarks upon accepting office, as he faced the hard task of trying to heal a nation from the sting of executive betrayal. The book leans left, in that there are probably more triumphant Democratic speeches than conservative ones. The only Nixon speech featured is his resignation and the only Reagan speech--albeit a wonderful choice -- is the speech to students at Moscow State University about the technological revolution in 1988. But the others chosen are not unimportant, even if they are controversial...antiwar protesters during Vietnam, excerpts from Friedan's "The Feminist Mystique" ....all the literature and art in Kennedy's book had an impact on the country. Especially of interest during this election year (2004) is part of John Kerry's controversial testimony to Congress on behalf of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in 1971. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Celebrating The Land We Love:
Caroline Kennedy has written a book that portrays her vision of the land that she loves. She considers this her Patriot's Handbook,and the title was chosen by her daughter, Tatiana. This is a book that belongs in everybody's book collection. Not just out on the coffee table, but in a place that every member of the family can reach out and read a few paragraphs whenever they feel the need. This is a very large book, 646 pages of poems, songs, essays, writings, The Declaration of Independence, the Salute to The Flag, pictures, everything and anything that means or speaks of America. I was astonished at the collection. At first glance, you would think this book would have little bits and pieces of what America means. But, oh no, this includes everything. Caroline Kennedy in her opening chapter tells us this is her interpretation of Patriotism and what was handed down by her family. There is nothing missing! I am most impressed with this book, and I will give it often as a gift. The book is separated into 12 chapters. A selection of the chapters I liked the most follows: The Flag: contains the words to the "Star Spangled Banner", Pledge of Allegiance, US Blues by the Grateful Dead, "The Mike Christian Story" by John McCain and other collections of flag memories. Visions of America: Several essays by Presidents, poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ronald Regan's farewell address and other memories of how America has changed. Portraits of Americans: "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" by Albert Von Tilzer, "The Story of a Novel", by Tom Wolfe, Bush vs Gore-531 US 09 (2000) and other memories of famous Americans. Freedom: "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson, "Freedom" by E.B. White, "I've Got The Light Of Freedom", by Pete Seeger and other memories of freedon. Equality: "Letter to John Adams," by Abigal Adams, "Brown vs. Board of Education,(1954), "Feminine Mystique: by Betty Friedan and other memories of equality. The Individual: "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau, "Imn Search of Our Mohter's Gardens," by Alice Walker and other memories of strong individuals. Work, Opportunity and Invention: "I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman, "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, "Brother Can You Spare A Dime," by EY Harburg, Richard Nixon and Nikita Krushchev, "The Kitchen Debate"(1959), " King Leer" by Groucho Marx, "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan, Bill Gates on "Capitalizing on the 'Cognitive Niche', "Surfin'USA" by Chuck Berry and Brian Wilson, Joan Didion, "Los Angeles Notebook", "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell ande many, many other memories of work, opportunity and invention . This book is a marvel. Everytime I open it, I find another page that amazes me. Patriotism is "the IN thing" now, it seems, but reading and viewing this book, helps me to understand how lucky we are, indeed, to be American. Let me quote Alexis De Tocqueville, in "Democracy in America", "How does it happen that in the United States, that everyone takes an interest in the affairs of his township, his county and his whole state? It is becasue everyone takes an active part in the government of society..." Wonderful book, by a great American, Caroline Kennedy- prisrob

A tribute to the USA's heritage:
Caroline Kennedy's book is both an eloquent collection and a reminder of our country's heritage and moral fabric. This compilation is an exquisite work to remind us of the ideals and principles upon which this great and beautiful nation was founded and the sacrifices made for us to reap. Caroline, in her genuinely sincere and self-effacing manner, carries on the Kennedy's time-honored tradition to remind us of the foundations of our freedoms and to cherish our privileged heritage. Every parent who treasures freedom and democracy should be reading this book with their children daily.

A Wonderful collection for all Americans!:
At a time when some feel you have to be a right wing conservative or a veteran to be a "patriot" along comes this collection that will take us all back to our roots. No labels, no political rhetoric, just genuine concern on the author's part to remind Americans of their historic pride and love of country. Caroline Kennedy's skill as a writer is surpassed only by her skills as a researcher and she displays both admirably in this collection. Reaching to her childhood and those who influenced her, she shares her memories along with her ardent desire to enlighten the youngest of generations to true patriotism. It was refreshing to me and my 53 years of being alive to learn the interesting and compelling history behind many of our country's icons. This book is a great read for the casual and serious reader. It reads easily in short visits or long studies as you may desire. It is a great book to share with children who are studying the history of America. Upon completion, you are left with a renewed American pride in your conty and a better appreciation of how we got to where we are today. You'll be proud to keep this one on your bookshelf for years!

A Great Reference Book for Every American Home!:
Caroline Kennedy has done an outstanding job in editing A Patriot's Handbook. It is a truly wonderful book that I believe should be kept in every American household. As we learn our American History we are exposed to many poems, songs and historical documents that have been truly significant in the course of our country's growth and development. Yet, if we were asked to cite them quickly, some of us would be hard pressed to do so. In A Patriot's Handbook, Kennedy provides us with a refresher course in our country's history through the words of original foundational documents. A Patriot's Handbook includes pieces such as the Star Spangled Banner, The Pledge of Allegiance, The U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Yet, far beyond this, it provides a broad range of presidential inaugural addresses and the farewell addresses of yet others. It includes significant precedent setting legal cases, the personal writings of a number of prominent American citizens throughout our history, and a number of treasured drawings, photographs and poems. The book represents the history of America's founding and its growth over more than two and a quarter centuries. I appreciate Kennedy's inclusion of the writings of a wide variety of people - from historians, to famous novelists, to contemporary songwriters, poets and photographers. Each inclusion shares in adequately conveying the complex and wonderful tapestry that are our nation's people. In her Introduction, Caroline Kennedy speaks about developing this project after thinking about stories of America that she wanted her own children to know. From that perspective she has gathered a wonderful collection that I believe can be appreciated and savored by all Americans. A rich resource and a wonderful way to learn more about our own country's rich history. Highly recommended. Daniel J. Maloney Saint Paul, Minnesota USA