The True Patriot [Hardcover]

Eric Liu (Author), Nick Hanauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2007

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.

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books (December 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570615578
• ISBN-13: 978-1570615573
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 0.5 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Democracy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greater than Oneself, January 21, 2008

By 

Dave McShea (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The True Patriot (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. (Note to reader: although the authors' have written a book about unabashedly "progressive" Patriotism, politics and civics, this book is in part a fiercely traditional tome - the authors hold up, illuminate and summon us with ideas that have been the engine of our democracy of over 200 years). The author's ideas about how to live our patriotism are provocative, challenging and generous. Ultimately, the plan laid out in The True Patriot lights a path for the American body politic by taking from our past what defines us as Americans, and revitalizing it with the common sense, clear sightedness and intellectual energy needed to keep America's compass on true north.

If you have been looking for a way to rekindle the excitement of being a citizen in the greatest political experiment going, "The True Patriot" is it.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm going to fly the flag, January 22, 2008

By 

R. Barton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The True Patriot (Hardcover)

Even if you just read it for the great historical speeches, True Patriot is a winner. Full disclosure, I know the authors, but I can honestly say this "pamphlet" reminds me why I AM proud to be an American, an emotion that has been hard to muster these last several years. It also reminds me that shared sacrifice and responsibilty to community and country needs to re-enter the political discourse. Capitalism seems to have evolved into "get as much as you can for yourself while the gettin's good", and has forgotten that the foundation of capitalism and free markets is community.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tired of politics? Read this book., September 18, 2007

By 

M. Lerner "Mateo" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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!