Our Sacred Honor: The Stories, Letters, Songs, Poems, Speeches, and Hymns that Gave Birth to Our Nation (Hardcover)

by William J. Bennett (Editor) "AS every American knows, the first part of the Declaration of Independence establishes the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..." (more)
Key Phrases: conjugal happiness, sacred honor, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
From the man who gave us the bestselling Book of Virtues: thoughts from America's founding fathers.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The indefatigable Bennett (The Moral Compass, 1995, etc.) continues his campaign to inculcate the old values into Americans generally--and young Americans more particularly--this time out by gathering selections from the writings of the generation that secured America's independence. The brief excerpts, drawn from speeches, letters, poems, and memoirs by both little-known patriots and by such luminaries as Benjamin Franklin, John and Abigail Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, are divided into such categories as ``Patriotism and Courage,'' ``Civility and Friendship,'' ``Justice,'' and ``Piety.'' Bennett says that the volume is intended to allow Americans to ``see both our patrimony and our basic civic obligations; to keep our country safe and to hold our purpose high.'' There's no doubt that many of these passages are stirring and persuasive. But despite Bennett's brief introductory essays, the excerpts seem too fragmentary, and too admonitory, to be entirely compelling, and the larger context of the 18th century--a period of intense and but complex thought--is absent. Still, given the current enthusiasm for Bennett's crusade, the book is likely to be widely circulated. (First printing of 250,000; Book-of-the-Month Club/Quality Paperback Book Club alternate selection; author tour; TV satellite tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068484138X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684841380
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #495,555 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars America's Founding Ideals, May 13, 2000

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

Our form of government has been the most lasting, widespread innovation in modern history. As wonderful as that is, in many ways it is even more wonderful to return to the frame of mind and the values that engendered this invention.

Although (as Bill Bennett rightly points out) our founding Fathers (and Mothers) often fell far short of their own ideals and were profoundly skeptical about the potential of people to do the right thing, they also aspired to a kind of virtue on Earth that combined true nobility of spirit and deed with good relations towards others.

Bennett has put these ideals into the following categories: patriotism and courage; love and courtship; civility and friendship; education of the head and heart; industry and frugality; justice; and piety. You can dip your inquisitive toe into any of these, whenever you want. .... I suggest that in addition to buying a copy for yourself, that you plan to give this book as a gift to your children and grandchildren as they reach the age when they will begin to make important moral choices for themselves. .... In most cases, I felt like the material here was stating timeless principles that do apply today ....

Bennett does a nice job as editor in explaining the context of each passage. His love of these people, these ideals, and these words is obvious. It will move you. And hopefully inspire you to follow the good advice in those words.

Nicely done, Bill Bennett! This is a good use of history . . . to help us learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past needlessly.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly good, deeply important, May 29, 2001

By	Whitewater Guide (Salem, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: OUR SACRED HONOR (SoundValue): "The Stories, Letters, Songs, Poems, Speeches, and Hymns that Gave Birth to Our Nation" (Audio Cassette)

I started listening to the audio tape some time ago in the car, and was initially somewhat ambivalent about the program. However, within fifteen minutes, I was thoroughly engaged, and fifteen minutes after that, wiping held-back tears from the corners of my eyes, wondering if "Nathaniel" (as in Hale) would be a good name for my future son.

Our forefathers, with courage and genius, created the most immitated society the world has ever known. How proud and fortunate this audio book makes one feel. I'm committed to listening to it with my teenage nieces and nephews on a "captive" drive sometime. It'll be a great topic for discussion.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eye opening and tear shedding, August 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Sacred Honor: Words of Advice from the Founders in Stories, Letters, Poems, and Speeches (Hardcover)

As a military man who joined to serve his country and nothing more, this book is a breath of life giving air. To know that I am not the only one who feels the need to give all to this country. Mr. Bennett does an outstanding job pointing out the easily missed down falls of modern day society without ever calling out a single name or pointing fingers. WE ARE ALL responsible and just as guilty as the next for the decisions that have been made concerning American Morality. And Mr. Bennett makes that point abundantly clear. I just barely got through his introduction when pride and fear began to overwhelm me. This country is in trouble and as he says in his book "it may not have all the answers but it is a step in the right direction. Thank You Mr. Bennett for reminding me that I am an American and I have the right to stand for what is right. And I too gladly give of my time and life if required in service to this great nation.