From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STEPS to Restoring America's Greatness (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, Action Steps, Little Rock (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One of the longest-serving governors in the nation, Huckabee offers an optimistic outlook on the state of the nation. This is no Pollyanna view; Huckabee is candid about the nation's problems; as governor of Arkansas, he had a front seat from which to observe Hurricane Katrina and the disastrous recovery efforts. Part 1 of his book is a description of his small-town origins and the kinds of civic and church involvement and activities that bind communities. The second part of the book lists 12 action steps to avoid cynicism, the nation's number-one problem. Among his recommendations: don't believe bad reports without documentation, listen to more music and less talk radio, do volunteer work, and have regular conversations with people of other ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds. Republican Huckabee is from Hope, the same small town that produced former president Clinton. That fact and Huckabee's homespun prescriptions for curing the nation's ills will surely raise questions about his future political ambitions. Vanessa Bush
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Product Description

With the small but powerfully
inspiring word "hope,"
nationally recognized leader
and policy-maker Governor
Mike Huckabee points out that
progress for our country cannot
happen with the continued
bipartisan rift dividing it. He
taps into the fundamental core
of every American, confronting matters closest at hand with the
call for a critical change in perspective and a clear plan of action
that shows what we can become as a truly indivisible nation. The
governor presents 12 key things we need to STOP doing in order
to make America stronger, speaking out on immigration, the job
market, health care, education, and taxes, and provides practical
solutions that could bring our nation to higher ground.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (January 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599957043
• ISBN-13: 978-1599957043
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,098 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emapthy meets eloquence, to renew the American Promise., January 12, 2007

By	James L. Hobson (Anchorage, AK USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Huckabee's book exudes the leadership, warmth and charm that made him the most popular Republican in a heavily Democratic state. His book is less about partisan matters than it is about building our communities and repairing our society. As Jon Stewart noted on the Daily Show, it doesn't come across as something a strong conservative would write, although Huckabee himself is a bonafide conservative Republican. This book speaks to renewing America--what we can do to restore our former glory, and what we need to stop doing to repair our damaged discourse and heal partisan wounds.

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lessons from a small town, January 12, 2007

By	John Zxerce "[e-mail]" (Colorado ^^^) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

First of all, there's an authentic humility and appreciation for others in the book. That's a quality increasingly difficult to find in public figures, much less in politicians.

The beginning of the book paints Huckabee's childhood in Hope, the small Arkansas city that also played a significant role in Clinton's life. Huckabee says Hope in the 1950s was the kind of place where if he did something wrong eight blocks from home, by the time he got there numerous people would have called his parents to report his behavior. He claims Hope is a large part of who he is and it was his roots there which formed much of his character.

While the title of the book may seem to imply more of a public policy recommendation and treatise (which is also what this book is about) - this book is just as much an autobiography and therefore a 'life story' of Huckabee.

As Huckabee recounts the people who've had an influence on him he mentions his drama and speech teacher who shaped his approach to life and instilled passion and conviction. He goes on to mention Haskell Jones who gave him a spirit of patriotism and civic-mindedness. And he writes about the Garrett's who impacted him spiritually.

In short, it's the story of a small town, and how that town poured itself into a person and how that person poured himself into a state.

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope: Same town, different Governor, January 22, 2007

By	Larry Toller (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews

I have been given a wonderful advantage in reading this book: I have known Mike Huckabee for about 14 years and served on his staff for over four years. (See customer picture)

What strikes me most about him is his genuineness, his true concern for people and his firm convictions. Most politicians ask consultants and examine polls to determine what they believe. Those beliefs change with the changing of the wind. Mike Huckabee is not most politicians.

As you read this book, I'm sure you will find yourself agreeing with his common sense approach to important issues. You will plainly see the leader I called Governor. You will also see my friend, a friend I could literally trust with my life and livelihood.

Mike Huckabee could be President and when you read this book, I believe you will agree.

Review by Larry Toller, author: "My Story Your Story His Story" Foreword by Mike Huckabee (available at amazon.com)