De-Valuing Of America: The Fight For Our Culture And Our Children [Paperback]

William J. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 1994

No one sets the record straight like bestselling author William J. Bennett. In "The De-Valuing of America," one of our leading conservatives gives us a provocative and unblinking critique of what is wrong with our nation in areas ranging from drugs to education to race relations, and provides an inspiring vision to turn the tide.

In this remarkably candid personal account, Bennett reveals what he saw and what he learned -- and the people he came across and was crossed by -- during his controversial years as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Secretary of Education, and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In the straightforward style that has become his trademark, he tells us what's right and what's wrong with American education; discusses the heroes, villains, and shirkers in the war against drugs; analyzes the decline in standards and common sense on our college campuses; and offers his assessment of the failures of contemporary liberalism.

Written with force and passion, "The De-Valuing of America" is a cry of alarm -- an honest, unsparing account of what has gone wrong in American society, and a tough-minded personal assessment of how to reclaim our culture and protect and nurture our children.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a predictable memoir of Bennett's trials and tribulations as chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, secretary of the Department of Education, and directorate ("Drug Czar") of the National Drug Control Policy. The interest here is not specifically with the substance of what he said and wrote (copiously available elsewhere) but how he attempted to move insiders, bureaucrats, lobbyists, and the media to his way of thinking. Unfortunately, Bennett habitually encapsulates all issues in the liberal/conservative dichotomy. In typical blunt statements Bennett points out what he feels is right and wrong with American society and posits solutions. Conservatives (and Bennett supporters) will find this title fascinating; liberals and thinkers will find it exasperating, irritating--maybe even enlightening. The De-Valuing of America is recommended with reservations for education collections.
- Scott Johnson, Meridian Community Coll. Lib., Miss.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The Washington Post William Bennett stirs up debates in precincts sorely in need of stirring, throws higher and public education establishments on the defensive in areas -- cost, intellectual fiber, values -- that they ought to reexamine and would rather not. Good for him. -- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (April 5, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671797190
• ISBN-13: 978-0671797195
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,925,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR WANT CHILDREN, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: De-Valuing Of America: The Fight For Our Culture And Our Children (Paperback)

This book is an excellent detail looking into today's educational value system. Being from a small town you might miss many of the problems in inner-cities that either go unnoticed or don't want any help and think they are doing things the right way. This is just a quality book from a quality writer.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book; for teachers, for parents, for teens, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: De-Valuing Of America: The Fight For Our Culture And Our Children (Paperback)

One of the best books telling "how it is". While scary in context, it gives hope that good old fashioned values still exist in high places. I only wish Mr. Bennett could write an "update" chapter following up on the effect of the 90's. I highly recommend this book for those wishing to be more informed

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book, but short on one BIG issue, May 19, 1999

By 

James Moore - See all my reviews

This review is from: De-Valuing Of America: The Fight For Our Culture And Our Children (Paperback)

This book is absolutely one of the best contemporary conservative reads. Dr. Bennett's explanation of his doings as Education secretary are wonderful and inspiring. I particularily enjoyed his look at K-12 education and the need for evolution from the current education policy standstill. The one knock I will give the book is its lack of depth on the issue od drugs. Generally, I am solidly behind Dr. Bennett on the drug issue, and I have supported him for some time. However, the complexity of the "drug war" in the '80s and early '90s led by him needs to be far better examined, explained and explored. I suppose that issue- from Bennett's perspective- could consume more than one entire book of Kissingeresque size, but I still would've like to have seen a more thorough debriefing of Bennett's experiences in this volume. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. I it is a *MUST READ* for contemporary conservatives.