Customer Reviews

Under God

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is a set of short one to three page factual stories of historical events and people. Each one focuses on the positive and on God's place in these events.

For example, one short story was about Daniel Webster and the talk he gave on Plymouth Rock. However, it emphasizes Daniel Webster's belief in God and the role God played in his life.

The book brought home to me the high price that many people have paid for our freedoms. It also brought home to me again, the large part that God played in this Country from the beginning to now.

These are short stories that do not focus on every aspect of each life or event they chose to include in this book. There are books that have been written about each person and each event that goes into greater detail. I will agree the authors overlooked some of the negative aspects of our history. The previous reviewer is correct. However, I do not think that is the point of this book. This book is a celebration of God and the role he has played in this country.

I found this book to be very powerful. It was a strong reminder to me that I have much to be thankful for and much to appreciate in this country. This country has much that is worth protecting. It was a strong reminder to me that God is ever present in our lives and that He has a greater purpose in mind.

Having said that, I did not find that this was an "God-- In your Face" type of book. Rather, through quotes from these historical people and events in history a great story is retold.

Well worth every penny.
Enjoy.

This is a very interesting book to read, as it is really a collection of short stories, historical events, quotes and documents that show America's Spiritual roots. This book is not a feel good effort, but rather shows America in the courage of Black efforts for freedom, the tragedy of the racism legacy, the wisdom of our founding fathers, and countless stories in between.

That America is founded on the principles of the Christian faith is of course historical fact. The top of the Washington monument states in Latin: "Luas Deo", which means "Praise be to God" (Page 154). This and countless other examples of our spiritual roots are found throughout the book. This makes the stories of racial strife even more difficult to read, as we have so many examples of how far we have strayed from our roots.

Of the most powerful depictions are those during the civil rights movement. The book contains dozens of stories, including some detailed depictions of the Birmingham Church bombing and the de-segregation battles fought in Alabama. The story of the courageous Ruby Bridges who attended first grade classes alone and was subjected to countless verbal assaults to do so, is inspiring. Here this brave little girl prayed for those who insulted her as she walked to school surrounded by Federal Marshals. One cannot read this story, without being moved at her courage and faith. (Page 71).

Abraham Lincoln spoke these words many years ago, which ring as true today: "My great concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God's side." (Page 169).

Overall, this is a very good book. The depictions and stories leave no doubt to our roots, our past triumphs and tragedies. Easy to read in short bursts or in one sitting, it is well documented with pages of sources in the bibliography. Highly recommended for all who are proud of our nation, and desire to learn from our past mistakes, and ensure that we live up to our spiritual heritage as a people and as a nation.

Ok, so far this book has illiurated some positive and negative points. Sad to say, some historical facts are wrong. One of the reviewers has clearly pointed out.. But if look beside the facts, and look at the true aspect of this book, we can see what Tait and Toby are trying to stress. God is in the picture! Like it or not, God has been the center of all issues in history. Good against evil. Christians against athesits. God is already there, but his position in our lives have seem to dwindle. Our nation was based on Godly principles. Though many leaders, in this book, may or may not claim to be Christians, they do have the aspect of God being their main source of power and strength. This is a very good book, but still needs to get some facts straight.

This book contains numerous historical accounts of Americans who found the courage to take a stand for liberty. It's a treasure for the patriotic. Stories about Rosa Parks, the Underground Railroad, women's suffrage, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglas, and Martin Luther King, Jr. make your backbone tingle and grow stronger. This publication also includes The Mayflower Compact, The Gettysburg Address and brief history of the Star Spangled Banner. As a native Texan, I appreciate the information it offers on the celebrated Juneteenth. This book doesn't shy away from unpleasant aspects involved in the struggles for liberty.

This book is made to look old and I feel it really gives it lots of character. While reading the many stories, the paper the book is printed on constantly reminded me of the history in our great nation. These stories were very informative and I enjoyed reading this book.

Awesome fusion of history and God-things. Great facts that have been left out of secular history since the 1930's Interesting how history changes per political correctness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Included are stories about individual patriotism and the outstanding, almost supernatural courage that drove common people to do uncommonly great and unselfish things that resulted in America's grand experience. The first stories were a mix of those individuals we have heard bits of information about at some point in our history learning: individuals of all races, all pressing for freedom and independence. Toward the end of the book, the majority of the pages were dedicated to little known Afro-American patriots who, in the face of threats and great fear for their own lives, accomplished great and enduring things that have positively served every American today: white, black, red, brown or yellow. This is a must read for Americans who have thus far in their education, only heard the stories of the white patriots. We whites are simply NOT the chosen ones. We are ALL God's children, All Americans, ALL free and ALL must have the same access to our freedoms, rights and responsibilities.

In "Under God" Toby Mac and Michaet Tait continue to the exploration of faith and history that they began as members of the musical group DC Talk with books like "Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks." The main themes of the book are faith, civil rights and political freedom. Many of these same themes were explored in DC Talk's best-selling "Jesus Freak" album with such songs as "Colored People" and "What Have We Become."

For me, "Under God" was both a great book and a frustrating book. As a history teacher, I applaud any attempt to encourage people to learn our history. Mac and Tait do not sugarcoat the failings of our country and our Founders. But, they also are sure to point out when those same people got it right.
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"Under God" is a beautiful book with a wraparound cover, jagged edge pages and faded illustrations that are oftentimes set behind the text this book makes a stunning presentation. However, the text is done in a popular (sadly) shotgun style of presenting history - things are not presented in chronological order or even by theme. Instead, we bounce around - at one moment discussing Jamestown, than Jim Crow, than on to Daniel Webster followed by Nathan Hale. There are 60 seperate entries here. I am pleased to note that, scattered though they are, there are some people that rarely are studied, such as Benjamin Rush and Angelina Grimke.

But, this history of America is by no means complete, nor entirely fleshed out. Some things are overlooked, such as Jefferson's non-traditional beliefs. There is no discussion of the Industrial Revolution, barely any mention of any of America's wars in the 20th Century. I cannot recall anything more recent than Martin Luther King, Jr. which means they ignored more than 35 years of American history. Perhaps they will address these oversights in another volume?

Both Toby Mac and Michael Tait include an afterword. I especially was struck by a passage from Tait: "While I agree with [Toby Mac] that America is in need of great repentance and I do not brush over that lightly, I must add that our country is also in great need of forgiveness. As a black man, when I discover the stories of all the injustices that occurred in the past as well as the injustices that take place today...it is understandable to be angry. It is okay to be angry. But it is what you do with the anger that matters. When anger turns to hate, it becomes a vicious poison that creates its own form of imprisonment." (p. 365)

This book has a lot of intersting stories about people in our US history who have had a relationship with God.

We appreciated receiving this book. It arrived in good shape soon after I ordered it. Thank you!