Posted on 07/05/2008 7:36:13 PM PDT by pharmamom
The flame of which America is the white-hot heart is the living fire of the West. But who knew I would find one of the most moving descriptions of what the United States represents in one of my youngest son’s books? Rick Riordan has created Percy Jackson, son of a human woman and Poseidon, the (Greek) God of the Sea. In The Lightning Thief, Percy discovers what it means to be a half-blood; that the gods truly are immortal—and they are living in America:
Explains Charon the Centaur:
“Come now, Percy. What you call ‘Western civilization.’ Do you think it’s just an abstract concept? No, it’s a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years…The fire started in Greece…Then…the heart of the fire moved to Rome…Wherever the flame was brightest, the gods were there. They spent several centuries in England…Like it or not—and believe me, plenty of people weren’t very fond of Rome, either—America is now the heart of the flame. It is the great power of the West.”
If what is happening all over western Europe and in Britain is any indication, the blaze of true freedom of thought and spirit is a barely glowing ember everywhere but here. With those who represent the Law and Faith in England showing their bellies to the feral hounds of Islam, the torch of individual liberty has well and truly passed to those of us here willing to keep it lit.
(Excerpt) Read more at whenwearequeen.squarespace.com ...
And no, this is not a religious blog...this is not an anti-Christian exposition.
I feel I know exactly what he is talking about. Embers, yes, they remain in parts of England. Could they ever be inflamed again? I can only pray and hope so.
If this is the same Rick Riordan that wrote the Tres Navarro, San Antonio crime-story trilogy, then I’m sure it’s a great book. He’s one of my favorite writers.
Another great series is Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Also quite prescient.
I didn’t know he wrote big people books (although I love this kids’ series); I’ll check it out. Always looking for good writers who love America. I hate it when one of my favorite writers inserts anti-America, anti-W crap. Then I don’t want to read him/her anymore.
And I didn’t know he writes kid’s books. As it turns out, there are a lot more “Tres Navarre” books than just a trilogy, do I guess I’ve got some reading to do.
The Percy Jackson series is great. Good plots, sympathetic characters, good morals. Good vs evil; stuff our kids need to learn. One of his scenes was set at Hoover Dam and the kids were thrilled when we saw the places he described in the book.
My husband has cut off my Border’s addiction, so I guess I’ll have to hit the library!
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