A Nation Like No Other: Why American Exceptionalism Matters [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Newt Gingrich (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 13, 2011

It’s become fashionable among the liberal elite to downplay, deride, even deny America’s greatness. The political correctness police insist that America is “hated” around the world for being too big, too powerful, too rich, too successful, too loud, too intrusive. And besides, it’s not nice to brag.

They are completely missing the point.

America’s greatness, America’s exceptional greatness, is not based on that fact that we are the most powerful, most prosperous—and most generous—nation on earth. Rather, those things are the result of American Exceptionalism.

To understand American Exceptionalism, as Newt Gingrich passionately argues in A Nation Like No Other, one must understand our unique birth as a nation. American Exceptionalism is found in the simple yet utterly remarkable principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.”

Our nation is exceptional, continues Newt, because we—unlike any nation before or since—are united by the belief and the promise that no king, no government, no ruling class has the power to infringe upon the rights of the individual. And when such a government attempts to do so, we will vigorously reject them.

Sadly, many politicians and leaders today have forgotten our sacred commitment to these ideals. Our government has strayed alarmingly far from the scope of limited powers framed by our Founders. Meanwhile, the liberal media seek out, and sometimes create, stories intended to portray America as a bully and a thief. Even our own president seems clueless, assuring us that yes, yes, he believes in American exceptionalism, just like the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism and the British in British exceptionalism.

But American Exceptionalism is not about cheerleading for the home team. It’s about recognizing and honoring the history-making, world-changing ideals our Founding Fathers enshrined to make this a nation of the people, by the people, for the people. And, as Lincoln warned, we must rededicate ourselves to those principles, lest our truly exceptional nation perish from this earth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Belief in American Exceptionalism leads inexorably to a smaller, more effective, accountable, and limited government. The American revolutionaries did not shed their blood for the welfare state; nor did they aim to replace the arbitrary rule of King George and his ‘multitude of New Offices’ and ‘swarms of Officers,’ as stated in the Declaration of Independence, with their own oppressive bureaucracy. Instead, they fought for individual liberty—and that made America an exception among all other nations.”

—From the introduction

About the Author

Speaker Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994. Newt and his wife Callista host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include A City Upon a Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism, Nine Days that Changed the World, and Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny. As an author, Speaker Gingrich has published twenty-four books, including thirteen fiction and non-fiction New York Times bestsellers. He resides with Callista in McLean, Virginia, and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing (June 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596982713
• ASIN: B005DI8LIW
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Nationalism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Book from an Exceptional Leader June 15, 2011

By William R. Forstchen

Format:Hardcover

It has become tradition for nearly all candidates to publish a book about "their vision" a year or so before the election. Some rise to the occasion, most are fluff, some are absolutely pathetic especially if you read them a year or two after the candidate is in office. This work stands out as a different kind of book. It is courageous, a demonstration of guts because Gingrich lays out a very clear agenda of the tough decisions that must be made now rather than hand us feel good stories. Rare indeed for a candidate to declare, in writing, what his goal is not on his first day in office, (and if it does not materialize "oh well, it was just a campaign promise anyhow,") but to present a document declaring, "this is where I plan for us to be my last day in office."

The book, is a rally cry as well that America is indeed an exceptional nation, in the best sense of that word exceptional. Gingrich, an historian with a Ph.D. long before he was a member of Congress presents a clear, concise understanding of American history, conveying the message that if we are to chart a better future, we first must understand our past and how we arrived where we are now. Gingrich presents us with a fundamental question and analysis. Historians can never argue with the fact that the 20th century was indeed "the American Century," but the challenge Gingrich presents in this book is how to insure that our grandchildren can some day say that the 21st century was "The American Century" as well. This is not a candidate thinking just a few months ahead to winning a nomination, this is a man, with a sense of history, who is asking to look generations ahead and insure that our grandchildren have an America that is secure, prosperous and still a global leader.... To insure that we as a nation are going to have to make some very tough, painful decisions now and not a decade hence. Gingrich has the guts to "tell it like it is." That is vision, and that is a rare thing to find today. . . But you will find it in this book and this man.

To be fair and up front, some of you reading this might recognize my name. Yes, I've co authored several books about history with Newt. And I must add here a sharp clarification. At least one reviewer on this site has made scurrilous implications about Newt's involvement in our novels. Newt truly is a co-author in every sense of the word and I am proud to work with him.

In closing I have tried to be balanced in the review of this book, transcending personal involvement and friendship. If I honestly did not see this work as one of the finest "campaign books" ever, a book I urge every voter to read, I would simply have remained silent. Even if you do not support Newt's efforts read the book anyhow to glean a wealth of information, ideas, and questions you should be asking all candidates a year from now. Whomever sits in the Oval Office on Jan. 21, 2013, this time they must be there because of their ability, intellect, understanding of the uniqueness of our country, and with the guts to make hard choices in the tradition of Lincoln and FDR, rather than a president elected with vague impossible "feel good" promises. It is time for a revolution in how we select our president, to return to the real issues, which are. . .THE ISSUES, rather than a popularity contest as trivial and absurd as American Idol. Read more ›

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars American Exceptionalism: Myth or Reality? August 1, 2011

By Alan F. Sewell TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

America is such a colossal influence on the world that it is difficult to separate our national myths from reality. I always enjoy Newt's take on this subject. I've followed his career since the 1980s and have read most of his books on politics and history. I revere Newt as one of the three pillars of Modern Conservatism, along with Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.

On the other hand, my politics are now conflicted. The Great Recession of 2008 makes me question whether Conservative ideals of shrinking government, cutting taxes, and deregulating business make sense in this era. After all we did all those things during George W. Bush's administration and the result was the greatest economic collapse since the 1930s. Thus, I read Newt's book to stimulate my thinking and perhaps take it back to its Reagan-era roots.

Newt gets right to the point in explaining why he believes that "American Exceptionalism" should guide us today:

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In other words, belief in American Exceptionalism leads inevitably to a smaller, more effective, accountable, and limited government. The American revolutionaries did not shed their blood for the welfare state....Instead, they fought for individual liberty--and that made America an exception among all other nations.
==================

However, I wonder about the "exceptional" characteristics that Newt says prompted early Americans to found this country:

===================
Looking through four hundred years of American history, back to the first colonists' arrival at Jamestown, we find five habits of liberty that have been crucial to sustaining American Exceptionalism.... They are:
* faith and family
* work
* civil society
* rule of law
* safety and peace
====================

Does the historical record really show American Colonists as being exceptional in "faith and family" values? Many observers noted that American Colonists displayed the common vices of drunkenness, gambling, prostitution, and illegitimacy, same as any other people, if not more so.

It's also dubious that the early Americans had any special affinity for work. Many took off to the frontier because it allowed for a life of relative indolence that enabled them to live off the land without becoming gainfully employed. And it's a bit of a stretch to believe that Southern planters desired hard work to be done by anybody other than their slaves.

The idea that early Americans had exceptional respect for the "rule of law" is also amusing considering that American Colonists were the very incarnation of riot and revolution. After throwing off the British they spent the next 90 years trying to subvert various American governments. American Exceptionalism is more likely characterized by our having LESS respect for the "rule of law" than other peoples. Challenging authority rather than blind obedience to law is the quintessential American characteristic.

As for "civil society" our early American ancestors had little use for "safety and peace" otherwise they would not have instigated wars of aggression against the British, Indians, Spanish, and Mexicans who stood in the way of their conquest of the heart of North America. Early Americans were primarily a belligerent lot more reminiscent of barbarians than of standard bearers for a "civil society."

Perhaps there are other characteristics of American Exceptionalism:

* INDIVIDUALISM --- Americans are prone to thinking that that our individual rights trump the collective rights of governing entities, thus the central theme of rebellion against governmental authority in our history. We have a unique tradition as a patriotic people who love our country while frequently ridiculing its government. Most other peoples express confidence in their government but are modest about praising their country. Americans have a strong anti-government, pro-individualist streak in our nature. This difference explains why phrases like "government-mandated healthcare" sounds benign to other people, but raises the hackles of many Americans.

* COMMONERS CAN ACQUIRE WEALTH --- Maybe no American idea is more exceptional than the notion that the poor have a right to acquire wealth. The American Revolution succeeded because the poor helped foment it. Poor Americans threw rocks at the British during the Boston Massacre and defied the King's orders to stay away from the frontier. The Colonists didn't rebel until King George curtailed their ability to acquire wealth by restricting their trade and closing the frontier. That's when Americans said, "The Man's ripping us off. Let's take him down!"

* ARMED CITIZENRY --- Citizen's militias defeated the British in the 13 Colonies, the Spanish in the Gulf Coast, the Mexican dictatorship in Texas, and the Indians in the interior. Our respect for personal firearms as the ultimate defense of liberty is exceptional. We are the only people whose right to own personal firearms is enshrined in our Constitution.

* COURAGE --- Americans acquired our country because Americans have the courage to DIE fighting for our rights. Perhaps no other people would have taken on the British Empire in 1776 and 1812, gone out to the frontier to fight Indians by themselves, or locked themselves into the Alamo.

Thus, Newt's "Currier and Ives" portrait of early Americans may be an over-simplification. The early Americans who made us EXCEPTIONAL were unrulely rascals who said: "King George is ripping us off! Let's go tar and feather some Redcoats!" The element who desired a "civil society" of "safety and peace" became Tories and emigrated to Canada. IMO a historically correct analysis of the character of the early Americans as it relates to American Exceptionalism can be found in Dale Van Every's Ark of Empire: The American Frontier: 1784-1803 (The Frontier People of America, Vol. 3) and John Fiske's The Critical Period of American History

The latter part of the book describes Newt's prescription for restoring America's greatness. These ideas are oriented around educating our children to understand our "Exceptionalism," working hard, volunteering for community service, and running for public office. Then Newt talks about replacing the convoluted tax system with a flat 15% rate. His energy plan is "all of the above." He wants to replace Social Security with personal retirement accounts.

As the economy enters its fourth year of recession Americans are trying to decide whether to lurch to the left and implement an updated form of FDR's New Deal or lurch right and implement an economy based on downsized government and lower taxes as Newt advocates. In 2008 they pulled left. In 2010 they pulled right. They are undecided where to turn in 2012. Newt sums it up perfectly:
==================
"The election of 2012 will bring us to an historic crossroads. The direction we choose will determine whether we will continue as an exceptional nation or follow a path of decline and fade into mediocrity, inadequacy, and failure."
==================

"American exceptionalism" aside, the book is a great pep talk explaining Newt's view of how Conservative politics offers solutions to our current problems. After reading the book I've been paying more attention to Newt in the debates. I about fell out of my chair laughing at his witty ripostes in the last debate. Newt is well on his way to proving that he's a three dimensional human being, having an engaging personality in addition to the scholarly and Machiavellian Speaker of the House dimensions!

--------------->THE POINT I MAY HAVE MISSED:

After my second reading I'm wondering if there is a larger message from Newt that I may have missed on my first reading. I think Newt's primary message (paraphrasing) is:

"America is exceptional because our people think big. They dare to do what seems to be impossible. They dared to declare Independence and win it. They dared to create a government based on the radical idea that government serves the people, not the other way around. They dared to extend their sovereignty across a continent. They dared to confront slavery on our soil and defeat it. They dared to take on the Nazis and beat them. They dared to lead man into new frontiers of space and science. They took risks and won. Let's do the same now to move forward beyond our current problems."

I think Newt sees Conservatives as the inheritors of this tradition of pushing the envelope of human achievement. I also think he sees Liberals as people who seek to minimize the accomplishments of America and make it look small. Liberals say things like, "America is no different from any other country. Our Founders were hypocrites. How could Washington and Jefferson care about liberty when they owned slaves? We built our country by stealing the land from the Indians. We built our wealth by polluting the environment. The rest of the world hates us, and they're right, because we're founded on evil principles of exploitation and greed." Liberals tend to strike Conservatives as being negative, petty people, who are out of character with the true American spirit.

I wish Newt had expressed this idea more directly, or perhaps I was obtuse in missing the point the first time I read the book. Newt may have overstated the saintly virtues of early Americans, but certainly he captures their spirit that destined this country for greatness. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Newt Gingrich, professor at work February 24, 2013

By A. Braswell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like some of Gingrich's philosophy about work and liberty. I do not like his inability to see two sides of an issue. I think that he speaks better than he writes, however, with the written word he becomes didactic and gives far too many examples. As I was reading, I wanted to say "Stop, Newt, you have made your point - I got it the first time". Yet he drones on for page after page. I begin to scan most of it to get it finished. If you agree with Gingrich on most issues, you may find it to your taste, but I found it too slanted and began to feel weary of it.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I like some of Ron Paul's ideas... but Newt is the guy for 2012 December 1, 2011

By Cashmandoo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

First, a caveat:

I was born a democrat, son of a policeman in Boston. Now a registered Independent, I was one of the Tea Party guys from the early days who helped to get Scott Brown to take over the "Kennedy Seat" in Mass. Enough about me.

Gingrich and Haley do a very credible job in this book providing a historically sound portrayal of the very early days of the English settlement of the east coast of the North American continent. They then tie some of the experiences of the early settlers into the development of an American Ethos that has become what differentiates us from many people around the world. There are several words that aptly describe the American character that the authors convey: indefatigable... optimistic...determined... and charitable. A look at our darkest hours over the years will find that these are the traits that have always not just gotten us through, but allowed us to PROSPER when conventional wisdom said "these guys are done".

(Having lived abroad for 5 of the past 15 years, I can tell you that these aren't usually the first words that come to mind when other cultures are asked for their impressions of us. But with some dogged persistence, the ethnocentrism embraced by virtually all cultures starts to wear a bit thin, and you start to hear that other cultures are, indeed, struck by America's amazing ability to produce people en mass with the above tendencies. )

To net it out... this book is a call to action. It identifies exactly what the issues are with our "radical secular" judiciary, with the progressive movement in general, and lays out specific things we can all do to start taking our country back. 2012 is a critical year.

Speaker Gingrich is no saint.... Neither were some other guys that turned out to have the right stuff when it counted.( can you say "Franklin... Jefferson... Grant... Patton?) But this book has convinced me that Speaker Gingrich both understands the problems America faces at the moment, AND understands procedurally what must be done to start to overcome them.

Great book! Read more ›