Customer Reviews

Taking America Back: A Radical Plan to Revive Freedom, Morality, and Justice

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book will make you think. It should inspire you to act now. It is certainly not like any other book you've read lately. Joseph Farah actually lays out a plan for regaining the liberties we have already lost. It is a radical plan but considering the breathtaking loss of liberties we as a nation have already suffered at the hands of our government, it willl take a radical plan to get us back on track. I could hardly put it down and have already started to reread it.

A previous reviewer called it "fascism wrapped in an American flag". I don't see how that person could have even read the book at all. The dictionary defines fascism as "A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism." This entire book is about empowering the people to begin to take back power that's already been lost to the government. It exalts individual rights
and personal responsibility. Calling it "fascism wrapped in a flag" is just inflammatory and is exactly the opposite of Farah's vision for this country.

I only hope that Farah's book in fact does spark a revolution in people. One that will embolden us to fight to regain the liberties we've already lost. Sadly I think what Farah suggests is just too much work for the average American who likes to talk freely about what's wrong with the country but when it comes to taking any action well... that's another story.

The reason that some are uncomfortable with Taking America Back is understandable - in the same way that theives are uncomfortable when police approach them. The guilty among us do not like truth pointed out when that truth uncovers our weaknesses, sins, and fears.

I've read other reviews of Taking America Back and the one thing that strikes me about the negative ones is the name-calling and the veiled threats, but no substanative alternatives. That kind of reviewer generally doesn't want an alternative because he prefers the status quo.... An America that has become a post-moral nation where anything goes (except morality and Judeo-Christian values).

Joseph Farah does not only describe today's America. If he did that, then this book would mirror so many others. Instead, he also prescribes. And his prescription, how to take America back so that right and wrong are once again honored, is a prescription that WE KNOW works because for 200 years, that prescription made America the greatest nation on earth.

The status quo elites and the ones who feed off them will attack this book because they no longer see right and wrong as having meaning. They do not want America as a world leader anymore. They livelihoods often depend on their very dependence upon our nation remaining weak, immoral, and deteriorating with every border crossing, every government school that fails once again, every abortion mill that pumps out another 4,000 murders a day, and the worship of every religion on earth imaginable as long as that religion excludes the Biblical model.

Joseph Farah zeroes in on what is wrong with America. He might surprise a lot of people in revealing who the American people need to take America back from--our beloved federal government in Washington, DC. Civil War buffs will get some strong hints from this book as to why the eleven states of the old Confederacy seceded from the Union in 1860-61. The problem is a national government that is out of control. Farah offers a lot of ideas about what we who value our freedom must do to take America back. He says that the process must begin with a lot of Americans on their knees fervently praying to God for help. Farah is a deeply religious man and he makes no apology for it, despite liberal claims that it destroys his credibility. Ironically, he concludes that ultimately, if all else fails, there is only one solution left--secession. He is not the first American thinker of this generation who has recently suggested secession as a possible remedy to exorbitant federal power. The problem is that the national government has, for many years now, ignored the Constitution and assumed many powers it is not entitled to by the Constitution. Quoting heavily from the Federalist Papers and other writings of the Founding Fathers, he shows that they fully intended to limit federal powers to those few the Constitution delegated to Congress. The states, on the other hand, received the power to take care of most of the issues that directly affected the people in their daily lives. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution, the most ignored item in the Constitution, makes it clear where most political power is supposed to lie--with the states and with the people. Instead, the federal government, under the control of liberals from both parties (many of whom call themselves conservatives)has unconstitutionally established its control over almost everything that we do. State governments have been reduced to little more than extensions of the federal bureaucracy. A few examples of federal power exercised in total violation of the Constitution, according to Farah, include control over education in the states; the creation of the Federal Reserve System, a privately owned banking system that enriches and empowers a few bankers at the expense of the many; and the income tax, the 16th Amendment not withstanding. If Congress was to repeal every law it has passed that violates the Constitution, it would have little time to do anything else for several years. That would be a blessing. Farah says that everytime Congress passes a law, "we the people" lose more of our freedom. When was the last time Congress repealed a law? By the way, a major part of the federal power grab has come from the Supreme Court legislating. The courts have absolutely no Constitutional power to legislate. There are a lot of court decisions that need to be repealed, too. The Founding Fathers set up a system of checks and balances intended to protect the people from the government. Farah points out that the check of last resort left open to the states and to the people was and is secession. He believes that it is a legal option that is still open to all 50 states (despite the Civil War). That is not as far fetched as it may seem. Secession is certainly the last option. There is much to be done before that point is ever reached. But Joseh Farah builds an irrefutable case for the contention that there is some serious taking back that must be done. Otherwise, the American people will wake up some day and realize that they live under a far greater tyranny than anything King George III ever threatened the 13 colonies with. Thomas Jefferson wrote that a little revolution every now and then is a good thing. Farah agrees. This is a book that should be read by every American citizen, especially every politician. Let the taking back begin.

An "on target" overview of the problems we now face and a direct approach to rectifying the situation. He puts into words what most of us want to say. A good read for true Americans

I simply loved this book. The main thing about Taking America Back is that it's fast moving. I have a very short attention span and it is hard for me to concentrate. But I read this book cover to cover on the second day of the Great St. Louis Storm of July, 2006. This is a great compliment to Mr. Farah. He is a very prolific writer who can process information quickly.

Joseph really takes on what's wrong with our nation. The teacher's union, the government schools, the foreign aid, internationalism, paganism, the declining culture and more.

He cites various case examples which I really enjoyed. One was how mini-Statues of Liberty at Ellis Island are on sale there which were made in Mainland China. Joe cites the human rights abuses in China related to the Tiananmen Square debacle. This might have been the single most moving point in the book.

There are a few tiny things that need to be cleaned up in Taking America Back. For one, China has officially changed its one child policy (page 4) since this brilliant book was published. Joe is a great defender of the weak and he is standing up for Chinese children, especially the little girls who for many decades have been the victims of gendercide. This only serves to show you Joseph's character. He's a good man speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

Beyond that, Joe and the editors repeated almost verbatim the same information about Hollywood's relationship with Church film review boards on two separate, but closely numerated pages. (Between pages 8 and 11).

These things are really small potatoes, but the book is otherwise perfect.

There are a few things Mr. Farah will probably further explore in the next edition of Taking America Back.

For example:

Holding on to the U.S. military base at Diego Garcia might be a very good idea, since it's in the middle of nowhere in the Indian Ocean and has great strategic value. (Page 81).

America will never allow North and South Korea to reunite, (Page 80) because they would become an amazing military superpower overnight that might threaten Japan. This based on their mutual hatred of Japan because of the 1909 - 1945 Imperial War Crimes committed in Korea. (Both North and South).

Joseph makes a terrific point about the need in the U.S. for civil defense. Our government's first job, correctly notes the author, is to protect America and its citizens. (Meaning you and I).

Joe also pins the tail on the donkey by citing a former U.N. leader who sold arms to the Hutus in Rwanda just before that terrible genocide unfolded. He's a very, very meticulous journalist. This kind of information makes the book special.

Other issues like taxes, crime and self-government are also covered to the nth degree.

There were a few too many quotes from the Founding Fathers for my taste. But they were important. It's just that for me personally, I couldn't wait to hear what Mr. Farah had to say next ... that's actually more praise than criticism.

Joseph is correct in lamenting "misguided" Christians and rightists who don't think as he does, but he is doing a good job of educating them with this book.

However, his terminology might be a bit strong. No one likes to have critical tidbits tossed their way, especially the fat, stupid, lazy, lily-white American Evangelical Middle Class. White evangelical Christians have more abortions, watch more pornography and divorce at a higher rate than the general public. Joseph tries to nudge them to action.

Mr. Farah has also called for all decent Americans to take their children out of the government schools. As a teacher who has taught at every level from Pre-K to university, I couldn't agree with Joseph in a stronger sense.

However, I have learned more from the so-called "lost" public school students (especially here in the elite suburbs of St. Louis, Mo.) about the true meaning of kindness and forgiveness (major Christian themes) than I ever did while teaching at a "Christian" university like Baylor.

Engaging the culture is important at all levels. We are all at different levels spiritually. Who is to say what God's plan is for each person? Christians can learn much from "the lost." At least that's been my experience. Parents here in Ladue and Huntleigh know there isn't much difference in the cultural norms of the students at public, private, Catholic or Protestant/Evangelical schools. This is not to be critical. It's just that our cultural decline overwhelms both education and politics.

Yet it should be duly noted that the souls and minds of our children are in mortal danger in government schools and via the culture. I suppose it depends on one's approach to meeting that challenge. Joe also defends home schooling and who can argue with that?

Mr. Farah calls first and foremost for Americans to pray and repent. This is something I will devote my life to, based on being inspired by this very book.

The name Joseph means "blessed" (it was my late mother Viola's favorite boy's name) and he is indeed being a spiritual blessing to others by challenging all Americans to seek goodness and repentance.

All in all, I must say again that this is a terrific book. Buy a copy or buy ten, and give them away as Christmas presents.
Joesph Farah is the George Washington of the internet news business with Wnd.com and this book is a special feather in his cap.

I salute him as a great and patriotic American -- a maverick in the truest sense. He is a pro-Israel, Arab journalist who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

Most importantly, what he believes in seems to be right for America.

I found Mr. Farah's book interesting, energetic, provocative and entertaining. I am sure he will get the usual counter culture attacks like most conservatives do.

I agree with many of his ideals and his concerns, however I did not buy all of his viewpoints. As it should be.

Yet he does, as have so many others before him, illuminated the slide towards self-destruction we are on. The slide that most great civilizations have taken in ages past.

We humans just never seem to get it right, even when we do have a written history to go by. Seems like the intellectuals and elitist...the same ones who murdered Christ...are once again dead set on destroying our social character as well.

We are no different than Rome, Greece, Egypt or any other great civlization, all of them became mobbish, decadent and without faith, to one extent or another and we are headed that way.

When a candidate for President of the United States of America indicates that the population should refrain from talking about God, Guns, and Gays, as if they have no place in our voting philosophies, in other words illicite sexaul behavior, immorality and no change for self-defense are the order of the day, we are in big trouble.

When the destruction of the insitutions of marriage become the goal of courts, politicians, social service providers and religious orders then no one can fault Mr. Farah for his tirades against the modern culture.

When pornography, vulgar language and lyrics becomes protected speech by courts, out of control, and the abuse of children in school who are trying to believe in God become the norm people like Mr. Farah are our only recourse.

I applaud his efforts and this book that once again lays it on the line for all to see the great hypocrisies of the left and their foot soldiers. Hopefully America will awaken to a new realization that by following the insanity that is hard core progressive thought and the madness of the far left, they have been pulled into the service of a dark lord...hmm, perhaps Middle Earth and a great quest to vanguish him or her...is not so far away after all!

Go Frodo, go!

Jim

Taking Back America should be read by every American. Mr. Farah is right. This country was founded on judeo-christian beliefs, there are many statements and writings by our founding fathers that prove they were God fearing men. They also explained that government was suppossed to be by the people for the people. Our form of goverment was not formed to take care of us. We the people are supposed to take care of the government. I have read some of the negative reviews on Taking America Back, and it is the typical name calling rhetoric that the socialist left like to play. Mr. Farah has done an excellent job at describing todays problems and gives an excellent arguement, backs it up by using the Constitution and Bill of Rights to get right at the cancer that is eating this country alive. If you want less taxation, more control over your life, and believe in traditional family values this book is for you. If you think governmet should be taking care of you and your happy with socialistic direction our country is headed, don't bother. Mr. Farah's approach may be radical but, in radical times you need radical means to overcome.

I've never reviewed a book before for Amazon.com as most are not as enlighting or potentially life path changing but I must tell any and all persons that are looking at this book...BUY IT!!!

You may not agree with everything Mr. Farah brings forth but you will be forced into at least thinking differently and hashing things out in your own mind.

Most of us feel in some way or another things do need to change; if not for us, for our children, our legacy on this earth.

It is very much time to think "out of the box", get involved and stop following all the time.

At some moment, we all must look in the mirror and say "Have I done all I can"....

A straight forward well developed book that defines the problems facing America, the causes, and offer solutions other than just complaining about the problems. A non-partisan, both parties are accomplices to the destruction according to Farah, attack on the current political environment of the country.

An easy read which can be finished in a few sittings and will inspire you to help fix the problems facing the country rather than grieve over them.

the author is obviously convicted in his beliefs. you have to score him a 10 on his passion for "revitalizing" our country. what sets him apart from other conservative authors is the fact that, based on his thoughts, he has not yet been "spoiled" by the liberalization of america and, most importantly, he has a specific plan for cleaning up uncle sam. his notions are radical, especially to a near numb american populace who have been desensitized to moral indecency and political outrage. if you want to sicken yourself, get yourself some strong coffee and read this and tammy bruce's new book (the death of right and wrong)back to back over a three day stretch. it would take some strong shields to walk away without a strong concern for what kind of country we are preparing for our children. its amazing how these two authors - so perfectly opposed in most every other way - agree so symetrically on social/political matters. anyway, i digress. this is a good read. it entertains as it frightens. it is a provocative critique of our society's decay. farah says its not too late to get us back on track. i'm more cynical, but i hope he is right.