Over the course of a generation, patriotism in America has been hijacked by the right and abandoned by the left. But the principles and values of true patriotism – country above self, contribution above consumption, stewardship over exploitation, freedom with responsibility, purpose through sacrifice and service, pragmatism, a fair shot for all – are inherently progressive. The True Patriot, written in the pamphleteering style of Thomas Paine (Common Sense), challenges progressives to reclaim patriotism – and spells out just how to do it. This powerful and timely "little red book" combines a manifesto, a ten-principle plan, a model speech, and a moral code. Throughout, it weaves between the words of the authors and excerpts from foundational American texts and speeches, as well as a parade of iconic American images.
The True Patriot
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Eric Liu’s Guiding Lights was picked as a Reader’s Digest Editor’s Pick in 2005, and was described as "inspiring." "The True Patriot makes a powerful argument that our heritage as a great nation is a progressive heritage, and it shows what each one of
About the Author
Eric Liu teaches at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. Nick Hanauer cofounded the League of Education Voters in Washington State. Both live in Seattle.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By Dave McShea
Format:Hardcover
Every so often a book comes along that changes the way we look at the world, Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring", or Richard Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene." Now Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer have written a book that changes the way that we, Americans, look at ourselves. How do they do this? By pushing aside the convenient stereotypes of modern media, asking Americans what it really means to be a Patriot, and revealing it to be this: to be what Americans fundamentally are -- pragmatists with the courage to stand on principle, people with the energy and optimism to improve self and society, and people who love freedom because it enables us to improve our lot in life but also to improve our life allot -- by serving and contributing to family, community and country.
These concepts are not presented as a sleepy civics lesson -- in the hands of Liu and Hanauer they are downright exhilarating. They show that to be American is to participate in one of the greatest experiments of all time, one that is still relatively new for history's laboratory. To help us appreciate this, the authors intersperse throughout the book speeches of great Americans that show us where we have come from, from Thomas Jefferson's inaugural address, to Teddy Roosevelt's call to "The Strenuous Life", to Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 Speech on the March on Washington. These serve as touchstones to remind us of the core principles that have always been at the heart of the American Dream - freedom with responsibility; opportunity with personal initiative; purpose through sacrifice and service; community; contribution; stewardship; leadership and pragmatism. Working from these bedrock concepts, the authors then explain a ten-principle plan for a progressive Patriotism.... Read more ›
These concepts are not presented as a sleepy civics lesson -- in the hands of Liu and Hanauer they are downright exhilarating. They show that to be American is to participate in one of the greatest experiments of all time, one that is still relatively new for history's laboratory. To help us appreciate this, the authors intersperse throughout the book speeches of great Americans that show us where we have come from, from Thomas Jefferson's inaugural address, to Teddy Roosevelt's call to "The Strenuous Life", to Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 Speech on the March on Washington. These serve as touchstones to remind us of the core principles that have always been at the heart of the American Dream - freedom with responsibility; opportunity with personal initiative; purpose through sacrifice and service; community; contribution; stewardship; leadership and pragmatism. Working from these bedrock concepts, the authors then explain a ten-principle plan for a progressive Patriotism.... Read more ›
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By M. Lerner
The True Patriot transcends partisan politics and reminds us what it means to be an American. The book respectfully and insightfully discusses where both progressives and conservatives have gone right and wrong. The book is packed with incredible one liners, a unique selection of historic American speeches by great leaders of the past, and a ten principle plan that I hope all politicians will adopt. Most importantly, this book asks the reader tough questions about what patriotism means to them. America has been polarized by ideologues posing as politicians--this book shows us a new way forward that's firmly rooted in the best traditions of our past. Just in time for the 2008 election!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Brad Aronson
Format:Hardcover
The True Patriot is an excellent read and quite timely given the election season and accompanying rhetoric. It's a book that describes our responsibility as citizen participants in a democracy and talks about what it really means to be patriotic. There is interesting discussion about how to move from divisive politics to something that is embracing, based on a set of ethical guiding principles and includes service to the community.
The book is a quick read, and incredibly well researched. This includes snippets of inspiring speeches from past leaders in our country that demonstrate the principles on which the US was founded and to which we must return. This is a great book for generating discussion and making readers really think about what it means to be a US citizen. Hopefully, our political leaders are studying this work closely.
The book is a quick read, and incredibly well researched. This includes snippets of inspiring speeches from past leaders in our country that demonstrate the principles on which the US was founded and to which we must return. This is a great book for generating discussion and making readers really think about what it means to be a US citizen. Hopefully, our political leaders are studying this work closely.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I love this little book and have been enthusiastically handing it to others since I first got a copy.
Traditional American values have been seriously corrupted! They have been corrupted by the right as well as the left, the religious as well as those who are not. Pop culture idolizes greed and selfishness: Paris Hilton, "prosperity gospel," and a nail salon on every corner. These same anti-values masquerade as social policy--American cowboys riding out of our corrals and trampling anyone in our way, including each other.
With powerful, visual language and quotations from great American leaders of the past, The True Patriot articulates a moral framework based on the ideals that founded this country. Liu and Hanauer argue that by definition patriotism is allegiance to a group effort, that patriotism seeks to serve something greater than any one of us. It acknowledges our debt "There's no such thing as a self-made man" and our responsibility "to measure a citizen's worth by contribution to country and community, not by wealth or power."
This book isn't perfect for me. As someone who has travelled extensively, I cringe at phrases like, "No other nation prides itself on being the world's laboratory, demonstrating what happens by when you intermingle the peoples of the earth." In their call for us to rally us around the great American dream, Liu and Hanauer brush aside the dreams from which ours emerged, the dreams of peoples outside our national boundry, and the crucially humbling consciousness of how at times we have violated our own deepest values.
But part of the beauty of their message is simplicity.... Read more ›
Traditional American values have been seriously corrupted! They have been corrupted by the right as well as the left, the religious as well as those who are not. Pop culture idolizes greed and selfishness: Paris Hilton, "prosperity gospel," and a nail salon on every corner. These same anti-values masquerade as social policy--American cowboys riding out of our corrals and trampling anyone in our way, including each other.
With powerful, visual language and quotations from great American leaders of the past, The True Patriot articulates a moral framework based on the ideals that founded this country. Liu and Hanauer argue that by definition patriotism is allegiance to a group effort, that patriotism seeks to serve something greater than any one of us. It acknowledges our debt "There's no such thing as a self-made man" and our responsibility "to measure a citizen's worth by contribution to country and community, not by wealth or power."
This book isn't perfect for me. As someone who has travelled extensively, I cringe at phrases like, "No other nation prides itself on being the world's laboratory, demonstrating what happens by when you intermingle the peoples of the earth." In their call for us to rally us around the great American dream, Liu and Hanauer brush aside the dreams from which ours emerged, the dreams of peoples outside our national boundry, and the crucially humbling consciousness of how at times we have violated our own deepest values.
But part of the beauty of their message is simplicity.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
How can somebody with any extreme political view define what it means...
I find it rather disgusting that the authors claim to know what patriotism is when they also declare themselves as progressive Democrats. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jackal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Activate your civic muscles
This pamphlet is a nostalgic rendition of the founding debates between political philosophers. This will jump start your thinking about the purpose of government and your role in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Governor
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!
If you care about your fellow man, or are just tired of the hyper-individualistic and selfish focus our country has come to promote, The True Patriot is for you.
Published 12 months ago by milehigh80
4.0 out of 5 stars
The True Patriot
it was almost as if it was brand new, but for an amazing price (:
Published on July 18, 2010 by celenalm
1.0 out of 5 stars
Progressivism is not patriotism
I was embarassed to have purchased this book. Progressives believe that the consitution was a starting point and needs to be re-written. Read more
Published on May 4, 2009 by U. B. DAvis
5.0 out of 5 stars
New American Bible
I carry this book around and read it when I get depressed about the state of affairs in my home country. It should be made part of the curriculum in all U.S. schools.
Published on January 24, 2009 by R. Cindric
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's amazing that the century's most important book (so far) on...
Before I read this book, when I thought of values-based politics my mind turned the American far right: a close marriage of state and fundamental Christianity, an armed citizenry,... Read more
Published on November 4, 2008 by Amos Pants
4.0 out of 5 stars
true citizenship
"...if we want great leaders, we must demand great citizenship of ourselves."
With these words the authors have identified the key to understanding what American... Read more
With these words the authors have identified the key to understanding what American... Read more
Published on August 5, 2008 by Keith E. Diller
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great ideas behind the book
I think the idea behind this book is a noble one. I commend them for being brave enough as progressive to claim patriotism. Read more
Published on July 16, 2008 by Winston
4.0 out of 5 stars
An inconvenient vision
I know, "inconvenient" has become the cliche of the decade. But the vision that Liu and Hanauer express in The True Patriot is so obvious, rings so true, that it must be its... Read more
Published on July 5, 2008 by Giordano B.
