Our Country's Founders [Paperback]

William J. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

Encouraged by the thousands of young Americans who enjoyed The Book of Virtues for Young People, William J. Bennett returns with an inspiring collection drawn from the best-selling adult book Our Sacred Honor.

This adapted version highlights the speeches, letters, poems, and articles of the brave men and women who founded our great nation, including George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Their advice on values such as patriotism, love, civility, education, industry, justice, and piety still rings true for young people today.

Our Country's Founders also includes important documents such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, a time line, and biographical notes on our revolutionary forefathers. This essential volume provides all the background needed to appreciate these timeless lessons and advice from America's founders.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Booklist (boxed review)

[A] valuable resource....This book offers a way to get students talking and thinking.

School Library Journal

This volume will provide material for reports and primary sources on the principles and ideas that are our national heritage.

About the Author

William J. Bennett served as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President George H. W. Bush and as Secretary of Education and Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities under President Reagan. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Williams College, a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of Texas, and a law degree from Harvard. He is the author of such bestselling books as The Educated Child, The Death of Outrage, The Book of Virtues, and the two-volume series America: The Last Best Hope. Dr. Bennett is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Bill Bennett's Morning in America. He is also the Washington Fellow of the Claremont Institute and a regular contributor to CNN. He, his wife, Elayne, and their two sons, John and Joseph, live in Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689844697
• ISBN-13: 978-0689844690
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular, July 30, 2001

By 

AnalogKid (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Country's Founders (Paperback)

Bennett's take on the personalities of the men and women that birthed this nation is compelling and rewarding. He pulls selected writings from a variety of sources, and his choices are at times very un-politically correct. For instance, one passage by Hamilton details the regret and angst that plagued him in his last hours before his ill-fated duel. Other passages hi-lite the nobility and bravery that many exhibited in the most trying of times. The cast of characters is complete: Adams and his wife, Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Lafayette, etc. This book in fact does what other books for young adults only pretend - treating young minds as capable and inquisitive and able to handle a harsh reality. In all, a thought-provoking book with good commentary by the editor.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So insperational., July 13, 2006

By 

Shawn "picky mom" (Evergreen, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Country's Founders (Paperback)

I love this book, and have already reccomended it to my Mother and a few good friends. I bought this book for my 12 year old son, but am afraid that it will be too difficult for him to read. The book consists of speeches, letters and articles written by our founding fathers and mothers with a brief commentary by William Bennett. I have to admit that I have a dictionary by my bed to look up words that I don't know, and there are MANY. Our Founders wrote eloquently, but it is sometimes hard to follow. The messages that our founders were conveying in their correspondences are relevent today. I have been inspired to be more industrious and work on my other faults.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Patriotic Book for a young to mid-teen, January 9, 2011

By 

D. Robertson "Internet Shopper" (Marietta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Country's Founders (Paperback)

Book provides patriotic, historical background. Bought it for my 14-year old grandson. He is an accelerated reader, and I thought ths was aimed at a teen or young person who is not accustomed to reading adult literature. Despite that assessment, this book is a valuable addition to a young person's library. Serves as a historical foundation upon which to build.