Why America Doesn't Work [Paperback]

Charles Colson (Author), Jack Eckerd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992

In this uncompromising bestseller, two veterans of public service and private business reveal how America's work ethic has been stripped of its true meaning. Readers are then given the critical steps necessary to halt America's declining work ethic through an infusion of unique programs, hard work, and a renewed sense of integrity. Colson founded the Board of Prison Fellowship Ministries, and Eckerd founded the Eckerd drugstore chain.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: W Pub Group (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849934737
• ISBN-13: 978-0849934735
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,896,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The well-known story of Charles Colson's transformation from President Richard Nixon's "hatchet man" who was "incapable of humanitarian thoughts" to founder of the Prison Fellowship Ministries and internationally recognized Christian author and speaker is a triumph of God finding a man and a man finding God. His 1973 conversion to Christianity was followed by a guilty plea to obstruction of justice and a seven-month prison sentence in 1974. He founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, fulfilling a promise made to fellow inmates that he would "never forget those behind bars."

Charles Colson's first book, "Born Again," was released in 1976 and instantly became an international best seller. He has authored 16 books that have collectively sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, including "Justice That Restores," "How Now Shall We Live?," "Burden of Truth," "Answers to Your Kids' Questions," "The Good Life," "Gideon's Torch," "Why America Doesn't Work," "Kingdoms in Conflict," and "Loving God."

The phenomenal growth of Prison Fellowship Ministries over the last 25 years leads Charles Colson and some 50,000 volunteers to serve the needs of prisoners in over 88 countries. In addition to Prison Fellowship, he founded Justice Fellowship, Neighbors Who Care, and Angel Tree. Angel Tree is a program that provides Christmas presents to more than 500,000 children of inmates annually. He is also a syndicated columnist, international speaker, and commentator on the nationally syndicated radio broadcast "BreakPoint." He received the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1993 and donated the $1 million prize to Prison Fellowship's Endowment Fund.

Charles Colson remains committed to the unity of the church, the relationships between church and state, and the struggle between the spiritual and secular worlds. He constantly encourages Christians to understand biblical faith as an entire worldview and to adopt biblical faith as a perspective on all life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Educational, October 29, 2003

By 

Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr. (Edinboro, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why America Doesn't Work (Paperback)

What happened to the once strong work ethic in America? This book seeks to answer that question by looking at long term trends and assumptions of workers that has resulted in societal changes in this country.
Work has broader ramifications than one might initially think. We're told "For better or worse, our work defines us." They go on to make the argument successfully for this statement. Work has a "purposeful nature" they write and add that "meaningful work is a fundamental dimension of human existence, an expression of our very nature."
Consequently, by talking about the work ethic of the United States, they're talking about larger issues, issues that pertain to who we are.

Included in this book are some particularly interesting historical asides. For example, Johann Sebastian Bach inscribed "SDG" on his compositions, meaning "Sola Deo Gloria" (to the glory of God alone).

The work ethic of the nation's founders was based on Christian teachings. "To ignore the religious roots of the work ethic is to ignore the clear evidence of history," they write.

Work requires effort. Obtaining an education is work. "Knowledge is not acquired by osmosis, but by discipline and hard work," we're reminded.

Not only did I find this book to be informative, but I was inspired by it. Working for an audience of One. Doing work as unto God, as the Bible teaches adds a dimension that can find significance no where else. The Reformation brought this realization back to the attention of workers. No job is insignificant if done as unto Him. That's the message of this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows how socialism destroys the work ethic, December 26, 2007

By 

A Fan (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why America Doesn't Work (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book that everyone in government should read, including Congress and state legislators. Written during the final years of the USSR, Colson and Eckerd show how socialism in Russia destroyed the work ethic and how it is doing the same in America. Very compelling, it is a shame that it is now out of print. Highly recommended.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A down-to earth look at challenges Americans are not facing, April 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Why America Doesn't Work (Paperback)

This book is easy reading - I read it in a day or two and enjoyed it thoroughly. It caused me to question some things I take for granted and affirmed things that I have felt. My generation is picking up where the previous one left off - not feeling any sense of moral obligation towards anyone. Some of the money spent on studies to find out why American companies are less competitive should be spent on copies of this book and placed on every worker's desk