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Gratitude: Reflections on What We Owe to Our Country Hardcover – October 17, 1990

by William F. Buckley Jr. (Author)

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The conservative columnist renews his call for a year of voluntary national service for young people eighteen and over, in areas such as health, day care, and the environment, to strengthen their feeling and appreciation for their nation

Print length

169 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Random House
Publication date

October 17, 1990
Dimensions

8.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
ISBN-10

0394576748
ISBN-13

978-0394576749
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

There is a growing debate in the United States as to whether the young should be encouraged or even compelled to give a year of "national service" to help the nation cope with its social problems, e.g., health care and illiteracy. While not advocating compulsory service, Buckley does argue that the young should be encouraged, through various rewards and sanctions, to give a year of service out of gratitude for civil liberties inherited and protected. While the idea seems to have merit on the surface, criticisms (cited by Buckley) that it smacks of totalitarianism, as well as the question of how this would be paid for on top of the national debt and the savings & loan crisis make the idea less attractive. An intriguing essay; recommended for academic and public libraries. For more on this topic, see Charles C. Moskos's A Call to Civic Service (Free Pr., 1988) and Richard Danzig and Peter Szanton's National Service (Lexington, 1986). Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/90--Jeffrey R. Herold, Bucyrus P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; 1st edition (October 17, 1990)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 169 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0394576748
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0394576749
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,307,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #289 in Volunteer Work (Books)
- #38,525 in Business Management & Leadership (Books)
- #61,576 in Politics & Government (Books)

Customer Reviews:
13 ratings

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JFSAZ

Conservative Weakness

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Your are or you ain't. It's as simple as that but Buckley's read explains it down to the roots and that will strengthen how you see good and evil, success and failure, and train your honest response to each...JS

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Shelby County

Good intentions are not enough

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2009

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The late Wm. F. Buckley, Jr., took positions in life sometimes considered unusual for a classical conservative, such as supporting more lenient drug laws. In "Gratitude" he issued a clarion call for national service. Why? Because we owe it to the patria, the nation, and the people who built this country and sacrificed for it. In fact, it's a privilege to serve, he argues; we are only able to talk about national service because of the efforts of those who came before us. Many, but not all readers would agree with this line of reasoning. But the book has no good plan as to exactly how national service might be done. Buckley reviews some other plans, says what he likes and doesn't like about them, and that's about it. This is a book that could have been summarized in a single magazine essay.

6 people found this helpful

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Elder Brother

Buckley On Point, As Usual

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2013

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William F. Buckley has been the erudite conscience of American politicos for as long as I can remember. In this underpublicized book, Buckley powerfully reminds Americans of all that we should be grateful about, but simply accept as our due. Well written (no surprise to Buckley enthusiasts!!!), well reasoned and logically developed, Buckley calls us to joyful, greater service to the place we call home, because we have been so richly blessed by virtue of our birth and citizenship.

One person found this helpful

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David H. Leech

What do we owe our homeland?

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2017

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Typical Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. book. Even many years later this is an important consideration.