Customer Reviews

The Good Citizen's Handbook : A Guide to Proper Behavior

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"The Good Citizen's Handbook: A Guide to Proper Behavior" by Jennifer McKnight-Trontz is book informative, helpful, nostalgic, and a bit funny at times. In any event this book or at least the good items in it should be taught to all children by their parents, and reinforced at school.

Please take note and consider this when reading other Amazon customer reviews:
McKnight-Trontz explains in the introduction that both the information and images in this book were culled from civic textbooks, scouting manuals, government pamphlets and citizenship manuals from the 1920s through the 1960s. See my comments on the illustrations near the end of my review.

There is a lot of good information here and many different viewpoints on what the definition of a good citizen is, and how children and adults can do things that constitute being a good citizen. Some of the information seemed a bit comical to me yet other parts were things that (sadly) I had never discussed with my children before just because it had not occurred to me to discuss them, therefore the book served as a basis for some good discussion. I am happy that I read this to my children and think it could and should be re-read periodically, perhaps a few times per year! I also thought, as I read this, that I was never taught many things in this book when I attended public school in the 1970s and 1980s, as part of social studies/civics (which is a shame). I also think that much of this SHOULD be taught to all children in school. If they can teach sex ed and programs to discourage drug use, then they can and should teach this stuff as well. I also was surprised at the high level of patriotism here. I was surprised that in my public school experience, I did not learn any of this "patriotic attitude" and was surprised that from the 1920s-1960s this stuff was being taught in schools. I think we need a revival of this!

The book is divided into chapters covering different areas we can and should be good citizens in: with ourselves, in the family, at school and work, in the neighborhood, in the community, in our country and in the world. The section about ourselves includes personality traits, behaviors, character traits and values as well as health recommendations such as avoiding infection, how to cough and not spread germs, how to stand with good posture and what to eat. The comical parts are the examples which highlight things that someone thought to be very important such as that a good citizen eats "plenty of meat" which made me wonder if this was from a government publication connected with the USDA. Behaviors such as not talking back, controlling oneself and obeying the law are other high points. A section titled "Your Happy Family" contains good advice:

"The urge to get more and more luxuries consumes many Americans. In the "old days" the members of the family had very little in the way of luxuries or even comforts; they depended mainly on one another to make life happy and interesting. Today, we are more "gadget-minded." We tend to think less of human relations, and more of things that we and buy and use, often to impress other people. This has had its effect in weakening the home.
Think less of what the "Joneses" are doing or buying, and more about how to have a good time with your family without spending money. Think about what really makes you and your family happy-important things such as each other's company, a good story, exercise, and learning."

I loved that section!

The section on school and work includes what we now call "anti-bullying" advice: play fair, play with "the laws of clean play" which includes not cheating. I grinned at some of the phrasing such as "Clean play increases and train's one's strength, and helps one to be more useful to one's country" and goes on to make a few recommendations about being a good loser or a generous winner and to treat opponents with politeness. It seems to me all children should hear all the information in this book.

Regarding social ills, the section on community includes a page encouraging the avoidance of being a drunkard and warns "alcoholism means death to the nation". I am not faulting the book but will mention that missing from the book due to the fact that such things were not discussed in the 1920s to 1960s are warnings against cigarette smoking, illegal drug use, other unhealthy acts such as sniffing glue, and sex issues and warnings of sexually transmitted diseases.

The section on our country contains information about voting, jury duty, how to write our legislators and politicians to voice our concerns, and recommending that we be happy to pay our taxes. The patriotism level here is high!

In response to the negative reviews which some claimed was due to non-inclusion of non-white people in the illustrations: I want to state here that this is false. Images of black Americans are rare but not totally (see pages 54, 100 and 103). People of other cultures are discussed on the "good citizenship in the world" section and show Asian people on pages 130, 131, and 136. However we should all note as described in the introduction, that this author was really an editor and the text and illustrations were taken from other sources dating back to the 1920s through the 1960s. The fact that the textbooks and government documents used primarily Caucasians in the illustrations should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with American history. Take this for what it is worth. This book was published in 2001 using old information. There is no reason to slight the author or the book for not writing in modern terms or addressing modern issues or showing people of all ethnicities.

I picked this book up at the local Cracker Barrel restaurant in their "Proud to Be an American" section of afghans and bumper stickers and other patriotic-themed nostaligia curiosities.

Some of this material may seem out of date...heck, most of it will go right over the head of anyone born after these textbooks were retired from schoolrooms and educational films. As a kid who grew up on Centron films and citizenship assemblies this book brought back not only memories of a more innocent and simple time, but of a pure and patriotic sensibility. I have grown up to be a cynical, dark and suspicious person in a world where pillbox hats, pressed wool suits and imposed proper attitudes have changed. Diversity has its price in our daily rituals, but it doesn't dispel the strange, weird, and wonderful importance of these civic reminders. Wow.

Get this book for your grandfather who wonders what happened to common decency. Get this book for the grandson who never knew it. Get it for the patriot who needs a quick reminder of what America is at its core. Get it as a reminder fo your civic duties, responsibilities and rights.

This question and many other important issues are answered in this wonderfully refreshing book. It reminds me of my Boy Scout manual from the early 1960's with its style and artwork. Plainspoken and forthright, it helps you understand what it takes to be a true American Citizen.

In this complicated world, where shades of gray dominate our perceptions of life, this book condense issues its author consider relevant to a few lines of black and white prose. If you find it easier to face the world with some well written, rules you will find this book a god send. Frankly, even my 4 year old can understand this book (I think she can read it too). This book will put a smile on your face for quite some time after you purchase it.

BTW- The last product that if found this compelling was Ronco's GLH Formula Number 9 Hair System. That product put a smile on my face for weeks after I first viewed the promotional video.

I liked this book! It is one of those that you just keep going back to and find something new each time. Some will enjoy it for the nostalgia, but it can be enjoyed by all readers, and the message of "Good Citizenship" seems very timely these days, and especially applicable to government. I intend to buy several for gifts. It's the kind of book you will want to keep out and handy to pick up and read or show to friends.

This is great kitsch. Some will long for a world like this but of course it never was like this. But if you want to know why ALCOHOLISM means death to the nation, and why plain laziness is the trouble with many, this book is for you.

As a school counselor I made sure all of the teachers in the elementary school where I work had a copy. Each day they select a part to read to their classes.

Even a liberal like me can appreciate the power of straight forward ethics. This guide is an excellent addition to any young boy's (especially) or girl's bookshelf. Out of date? There are some explanations that seem a little naive. In a section on personal responsibility to society, it is said that while there will always be poor people (because some people are incompetent, mentally ill, drunk or lazy) society should take care of them for the benefit of everybody. (Contrast this sentiment with what we have today: "It's not the fault of the poor, but we still won't take cae of them."
Mostly though, you can't beat common sense.

This book is really great for children and teenagers, because
it tells how to be a good American citizen. It says, " A
good citizen is well-rounded. It gives you all the information
you need with the right details and tips about work, friends,
talk, play, spiritual values, patriotism, cleanliness, being a good neighbor, and many other interesting things that are very important. It could even help your parents. It should be at the
top of your Christmas list, because being a good American Citizen
is how we will keep being the greatest country on earth.

I bought this book mainly as a nostalgic item, but in reading it I found it very helpful for the present. The practical advise on being a good neighbor, citizen and your civic duties are a lost art that few practice today. Maybe if more of us followed this book's teaching, there would be less stress and more of a gentler world. This book would be good reading for a teenager to teach them about civics, manners, proper display of the flag etc.

Liberals will find this book outdated, old fashioned, even humorous, but do good manners ever really go out of fashion? Yes, this is a bit dated and may portray the nuclear family of the 50's, but the content of this little book is timeless. The handbook promotes a wide variety of civic lessons ranging from penmanship, gun safety, respect for authority, cleanliness and grooming, proper diet and much more.

These make great little gifts. Adults will appreciate the nostalgia, while children will learn valuable lessons for life.

This book will remind you of the values we once had in America, and will set goals of the vlaues we must return to. This book is honest and pure, in every way. Get this book for your grandfather who wonders what happened to common decency. Get this book for the grandson who never knew it. Get it for the patriot who needs a quick reminder of what America is at its core. Get it as a reminder fo your civic duties, responsibilities and rights.