Customer Reviews

Letters to America: A Chance for Us to Listen

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i picked it up at a local bookstore and flipped through...and i was instantly and deeply moved. these letters gave me new perspectives that i never would have guessed at from my experience watching the news. like the book "kite runner" they give a picture of other parts of the world that is invaluable. thank you to the authors and the photographer.

Every once in a while a book comes along that changes your life. This is what Letters to America has done for me. I feel as though I had been walking in darkness for so long, but now I am in the light. The truth is often difficult to hear, but we need to listen to the perspectives of our fellow man if we are to understand our role in the world, and how we can better serve humanity as Americans. I have a new-found appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy. This book made me want to devote my every day to compassionate service to humanity...to help those that are suffering. Most of all, this book made me proud to be an American. I am even more excited to help make my country become even greater that it already is. I hope Ms. Geller's next book will be a collection of letters from U.S. residents.

Three months before the US launched its war in Iraq, I was traveling in Turkey. The kind old man running our hotel asked us while we had breakfast overlooking the beautiful beaches of the mediteranean, "Who did you vote for, Gore or Bush?"

When we told him our answer, he replied, "How is it that Bush is president? Every American I have asked voted for Gore."

I am a proud American. And I understand when Americans adamently assert that we must support our principles abroad and protect our citizens. I also believe that as the world leader, it is important that we understand, relate to and respect our neighbors.

*Letters To America* is not a peace-nik new age liberal manifesto of any kind-- rather it is a straight shooting representation of what the world would say to the USA given the voice to do so. I strongly urge you to amplify this voice. Buy the book. Buy ten. Send them to your government representatives, to your friends and to journalists.

It may be that those who voted for Bush never made it to the same hotel that we did on the beaches in Turkey. Or perhaps they weren't comfortable expressing their views to the old pension owner. However, it seems to me more and more that most of the people entrenched in the notion that America does no wrong just don't get outside much.

This book has so much to offer the American people, it could be used as a textbook in schools. It is amazingly honest. At times sad, at times amusing, always enlightening, this book not only lets us read the thoughts of ordinary people around the world regarding the U.S., but we can also get a sense of just how big (and small at the same time) the world can be.
Bravo!

Have you ever wondered what if would be like to be the subject of an 'intervention'?. You come into
a room. All your friends are there sitting in a circle. You sit down in the center and find yourself
forced to listen to what your friends have to say about your behavior. The only things that keeps
you from bolting from the room is the realization that they are there because they care about you.
Read Letters To America and you will know how it feels. LTA is a collections of letters from 46
people around the world, young and old who out of their concern for what they sense is happening
to America have written to tell you that which you cannot see for yourself ? how you are perceived
by the rest of the world. Your task should you decide to read LTA is not to argue, to challenge or
defend, but as much as possible to take in what is being said. Of course as you read the letters it
is easy to see the projections and the limited sometimes biased viewpoints of the writers. Yet out
of the collective voice comes a profound truth that can't be denied. There is a candor and a clarity
in these letters that is refreshing, and, in a way that only honesty and truth can be, healing. And
after all isn't this what an intervention is all about.

This enlightening collection of letters truly changed my idea
of how we are perceived world wide. I found the words of these authors to be both profound and poignant. It is a small world
after all.

Once I began reading Letters To America, I could not put it down. I felt deeply moved by the sharing of all the letter writers whose eye opening words should be read by all Americans. This book would be a fabulous addition to a school curriculum and I will use it with my class in the near future. Great Job, Ms. Geller!