The Book of American Values and Virtues [Hardcover]

Erik Bruun (Author), Robin Getzen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 1996

A collection of nearly 1000 stories, poems, speeches, key documents, and other writings by great American men and women that affirms the purpose and substance of a heritage based on and sustained by the principle that all men are created equal. Chapters are organized according to the rights, privileges, and values expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution and the song "America the Beautiful." Background information, illuminating both contemporary and classical politics, places each passage in an historical context.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two books attempt to characterize Americans in slightly different ways. In the Book of American Values and Virtues, freelance editors Bruun and Getzen take a traditional, patriotic approach, trying to show America at its best. The first seven of 14 chapters are headed with phrases from the Preamble to the Constitution, with each further organized by related subjects. Most passages are short, generally complimentary quotes from such famous Americans as Thomas Jefferson and current celebrities such as Garrison Keillor and Whoopi Goldberg. The index lists only those quoted; no subjects or topics are indexed. In Words That Make America Great, Agel (coauthor of Amending America, LJ 4/1/93) includes longer selections arranged topically, some focusing on specific historical periods such as the Civil War and some concerned with an idea like "A Fire Within." Agel includes all the basic historical documents but goes further to provide less familiar pieces, e.g., "Baseball's Original Rules" and George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine as cited by the Federal Communications Commission. The selections run the historical gamut from the Mayflower Compact to Robert Dole's resignation speech. Historian Milton Cantor has written the introductions to each section, setting each in historical perspective. All public libraries should have a copy of American Values and Virtues, though its lack of a comprehensive index limits its use as a reference tool. Words That Make America Great should also be on public library shelves; its indexes make it an easy reference tool. Academic libraries will want to consider, too.?Grant A. Fredericksen, Illinois Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Erik Bruun has been a reporter, editor, and freelance writer for more than twenty years. His books include Our Nation's Archive and American Values and Virtues. In his home community, he has taken a leadership role in several organizations that advocate for social change. He has three children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (January 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884822770
• ISBN-13: 978-1884822773
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars FABRIC is missing from this FLAG., January 24, 2000

By 

Jules Eric Bue (Seattle, Wa.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of American Values and Virtues (Hardcover)

To judge a book of quotes on a general subject one must look at the job the editors did. What did they put in? What did they leave out? Simple research in the index reveals the slant. e.g. Quotes from presidents and vice presidents since 1960: Reagan, Nixon, Bush, Ford, Agnew, Quayle with 36 year of service in national office were quoted a sum total of twice. Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Clinton, Gore, Humphrey and Mondale with a total of 28 years of national service were quoted 72 times. Hillary Clinton alone was quoted twice. The editors can't even find quotes from Reagan on "American Values and Virtues?" I would not be so critical if the Title was changed to: "Some American Values and Virtues" or "American Values and Virtues we Approve"

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth the Paper It's Printed On, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of American Values and Virtues (Hardcover)

Too bad there is no zero rating. The editors have killed too many trees to create this work which runs in the face of comprehension and educates on nothing.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unclear what the editors had in mind., February 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of American Values and Virtues (Hardcover)

I must agree with the reviewer from Seattle. It's very unclear what the editors had in mind, or for what purpose this book would be used.