My review of "A Patriot's History of the United States"

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | 11 June 2005 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Jeff Head's Review of "A Patriot's History of the United States"

Larry Schweikart (Freeper LS) and Michael Allen have written a history of the United States that is tremendously broad in scope, and monumental in its approach in our modern times. It begins with Christopher Columbus and proceeds through to current events, including 9-11 and its aftermath, the War on Terror and the fights in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the re-election of George W. Bush.. The work covers over 510 years of history in 825 pages. There are over 70 pages of footnotes at the end of the book, detailing critical historical conditions and facts from each of the twenty-two chapters.

The best introduction to a review of this work that I could give regarding its approach the authors took, is from the mouths of the authors themselves in their own introduction:

"Is America's past a tale of racism, sexism, and bigotry? Is it the story of the conquest and rape of a continent? Is U.S. history the story of white slave owners who perverted the electoral process for their own interests? Did America start with Columbus's killing all the Indians, leap to Jim Crow laws and Rockefeller crushing the workers , then finally save itself with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal? The answers, of course, are no, no, no, and NO.

"One might never know this, however, by looking at almost any mainstream U.S. history textbook. Having taught American history in one form or another for close to sixty years between us, we are aware that, unfortunately, many students are berated with tales of the Founders as self-interested politicians and slave-holders, of the icons of American industry as robber-barons, oppressors, and of every American foreign policy initiative as imperialistic and insensitive. At least Howard Zinn's, A People's History of the United States, honestly represents its Marxist biases in the title!

"What is most amazing and refreshing is that the past usually speaks for itself. The evidence is their for telling the great story of the American past honestly-with flaws, absolutely; with shortcomings, most definitely. But we think that an honest evaluation of the history of the United States must begin and end with the recognition that, compared to any other nation, America's past is a bright and shining light. America was, and is, the city on a hill, the fountain of hope, the beacon of liberty. We utterly reject "My country right or wrong"- what scholar wouldn't? But in the last thirty years, academics have taken an equally destructive approach, "My country always wrong!" We reject that too.

"Instead, we remain convinced that if the story of America's past is told fairly, the results cannot be anything but a deepened patriotism, a sense of awe at the obstacles overcome, the passion invested, the blood and tears spilled, and the nation that was built."

The authors then proceed to do just that, to show that despite the errors, mistakes, and shortcomings along the way, the telling of American history ends up being a story of unequaled faith, character, virtue, and moral clarity. They demonstrate how through the faith and goodness of most of the principle characters involved, as well as the majority of the settlers, colonists, and then citizens, a liberty was allowed to develop that was based on moral constraint and founded in Christian heritage. That liberty then allowed America to become the envy of the world. Not due to arrogance, selfishness or shortsightedness, though there was some of that at times, but due to the intrinsic foundational moral principles that those people based their lives upon which produced and then maintained that freedom and that prosperity.

It is a marvelous work that I cannot recommend highly enough. Every student of American history, every parent wanting their child to understand what truly has made this nation great, every home schooling parent should place this book in their library and make it readily available to their children. Better yet, they should sit down and read it together with them.

Now, you may find that because of the scope of the work that there are some particular details which you are personally aware of in history that do not get the attention you would prefer. I found this so with the phenomenal story of George Rogers Clark, older brother to the great explorer, William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. George Rogers Clark, with a small band of less than 200 soldiers, during the Revolutionary War defeated and brought under American control, the entirety of the Northwest Territory at the time. A land mass that doubled the size of the United States. He did it through stratagem and through miraculous means that are a marvel to this day...and he did it without losing a man in combat. Because of his exploits, entire Indian nations at the time, who otherwise could have posed significant issue to the western expansion of America, and to the defeat of the British in the west, sued for peace with this great man, his very small band of soldiers, and the fledgling nation they represented. That his story was not covered was a disappointment to me because I had anticipated it. But, on the other hand, it gave me the opportunity to teach my youngest son about that particular aspect of the revolutionary war as we read the magnificent coverage of other more notable aspects of the revolution, and, which I might add, were in fact more germane to the ultimate victory over the British.

In a work of this scope, to pay that much attention to every detail would result in a work of ten or twelve volumes, which was not the author's aim. Through not becoming distracted, they accomplish their aim, as stated in the introduction, marvelously throughout the book, paying great heed to the pivotal points in history and the underlying political, cultural, and moral issues all along the way that contributed to them.

For remaining true to this, and remaining true to the actual conditions and intent of those of whom they write, the authors deserve our most sincere congratulations and their own scholarly notoriety. For having the courage and clarity to show how those events and those people used their faith, their determination, and their integrity and commitment to set the foundation for, craft, build, and then maintain and defend American liberty (including a true rendition of things like the Vietnam War and why it turned out the way it did) and its accompanying life style and prosperity, the authors deserve our undying respect and gratitude.

[Jeff Head]

He was a very pious and moral man and understood the underpinnings of our liberty and the Christian faith and attendant moral foundation it stands upon.

[jdhljc169]

Great read even for a "non" history buff such as myself. I have yet to finish it, but am working on it and enjoying the process.

Bravo to Larry & Mike

[Countyline]

A Patriot's History of the United States. In this day of revisionist history, and events slanted and twisted by the medias, it is imperative to stay based on true foundations. Our colleges and youths are not knowledgeable about our nation.

Thank you, for the review. Once again, Jeff, you are serving the United States of America.

[Jeff Head]

I am not only a Son of the American Revolution, I am also a Aon of the South, having had four Great-great grandfathers who fought for the south. While in principle I agreed with the south's stand and cause on behalf of states rights and the soveriegnty of the states who came together to form the Union, at the same time I can say this. Slavery was wrong...it belied the fundamental principle upon which our liberty was and is based, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with their unalienable rights. Sooner or later, the issue had to come to an apex, and the nation either be true to its roots or not. Due to the way the issue was postured and handled historically...it came to a violent confrontation.

Now, Lincoln had no intention of treating the south the way it was ultimately treated during reconstruction, and I personally believe that this is a major part of why he was killed, but that is simply my own opinion. I also know that he was inspired to this extent...the Union HAD to hold. Events in the next fifty to ninety years proved this. Without a united America, despite the underlying harm done to her and the Constitution after the war and by FDR, the world would have come under tyranical subjugation because the powers in Europe would have played the two resulting nations (CSA and USA) off against one another and the US would not have been strong enough to prevail.

IMHO, the good Lord knew this and the Union had to hold.

So, do I agree with every represetation of the civil was in PHUS...no, but does it get the essential message and intrinsic issues right...IMHO, yes.

The critical issue is whether we all, now, can be true to our roots and restore our constitutionla and moral heritage. I believe this book goes a long way in helping in that regard.

[Jeff Head]

It is a great read and I enjoyed it immensely...particularly when compared to the other books out there in most of our schools.

[Jeff Head]

Hopefully, this work along with others that are coming out, will help lend to them that knowledge and bolster their strength and commitment to this nation and her true foundations and ideals.

[Jeff Head]

I have my entire series of books donated and in our local library.

I know that harpseal put one in his local library in CT until he died and I believe they have ordered the others.

I believe having them good patriotic counterweights in our public libraries is a great investment in our future.

[rustbucket]

The coverage on the Civil War is incredibly biased, reductionist, replete with factual errors and ideological obfuscation.

Thanks, paleo. I'll skip the book.

[Badray]

Thanks for the ping and the review. It looks to be the next book on my shelf.

[Bahbah]

We went into four printings in five months!

Wow, I did not know that. I am thrilled.

[Dumb_Ox]

America's past is a bright and shining light. America was, and is, the city on a hill, the fountain of hope, the beacon of liberty.

These guys should have looked up the original Winthrop sermon:

for wee must Consider that wee shall be as a Citty upon a Hill, the eies of all people are uppon us; soe that if wee shall deale falsely with our god in this worke wee have undertaken and soe cause him to withdrawe his present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a byword through the world, wee shall open the mouthes of enemies to speake evill of the wayes of god and all professours for Gods sake; wee shall shame the faces of many of gods worthy servants, and cause theire prayers to be turned into Cursses upon us till wee be consumed out of the good land whether wee are going

It was written to be a check on national pride. Pity it now serves national pride. That liberty then allowed America to become the envy of the world.

Um, who really envies us? Japan, I guess, now being at our feet instead of at our throats. The Europeans have forever looked down on us--they only envy our entertainments, which doesn't say much about their good sense. The Latin Americans were pretty worried about our interfering dominance, and I have no clue how India and other Asian countries think about us.

I think national self-praise is more fatal to republican sentiment than national self-hatred. For most of our history, people didn't want to put presidents on our coins, believing it to be a sign of Caesarism. Now we've carved them into mountains and crowded the capital with their statues, and written books praising them for making us who we are. I live in Jefferson County. I'd rather have been named for a type of cow.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

for sections of the original manuscript that were cut---although NOT a lot on Jeff's beloved Lewis and Clark

the phenomenal story of George Rogers Clark, older brother to the great explorer, William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. George Rogers Clark, with a small band of less than 200 soldiers, during the Revolutionary War defeated and brought under American control, the entirety of the Northwest Territory at the time. A land mass that doubled the size of the United States.

Umm, that sounds like a pretty historically significant event - and one which is related to the Lewis & Clark expedition only in the sense that it changed all subsequent American history, including possibly the Louisiana Purchase.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

the original Winthrop sermon . . . was written to be a check on national pride.

I would say that that sermon was a challenge to walk worthy of our calling. To the extent that our ancestors did in fact live up to that challenge, that is a source of pride and a further challenge to us today to live up to their standard.

I think that Americans who denigrate America take so much for granted that it is historically absurd. I don't think that we would have very much liked some of our ancestors, in some ways - slavery is an example - but it has to be said that in the big picture the things we wouldn't like about them were things that were in fact commonplace to previous history and geography. There was slavery just about everywhere, during most of history. And arbibrary government.

The point is not that they were perfect but that in the long sweep of history they got us from there to here. We can take the lack of slavery for granted only because they sorted it out, painfully. It has been said that Lincoln was a racist, and I don't doubt that for an instant. I think everyone, pretty much, was racist then. The thing that is unusual about America is not its faults but its clamorous discussion of - and systematic amelioration of - its faults.

You mentioned Japan. It's not unusual that - in contradistinction to American practice - you aren't considered to be a member of society just because you were born in it. You want to become Japanese? Fine - just go to the Embassy and apply for a green card and naturalization papers after three years become related to the Emperor.

Someone told me he was a Turk. He said it with a thick German accent, because he was born in Germany. He was a Turk because his parents were Turks, even though he was born in Germany. And yet because he was born in Germany and went to Turkey after he had learned German, he was not really accepted in Turkey either.

That "Turk" now considers himself a New Yorker. In New York, unlike Turkey, no one gives a second thought to the fact that you have a German accent. In New York , unlike Germany, racial distinctiveness has very limited (if not zero) influence on how you are viewed and what you can aspire to do.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

national self-praise is more fatal to republican sentiment than national self-hatred.

The issue is not national self-praise or national self-hatred. The issue is politics. Like most on FR, I am a paleoWhig. I believe in the Constitution as written and amended, both for tradition and because it institutes a highly pragmatic system, validated by history. I respect the fact that I can't have my own way on everything, and am grateful for a system which provides good enough government.

The political opposition to my political perspective is determined to make "better" the enemy of good enough. They do so out of pride. They nominate for president risk-averse mediocrities who are not leaders - Kerry, Gore, Clinton - and portray them as the smartest person in any room they're in.

These people presume to stand for office not on the basis of what policy they will pursue but on the basis of pride - on the basis of who they are. Thus, Bill Clinton ran against the economy of GHW Bush in 1992 - and after he was elected he called an economic summit to figure out what he was gonna do about the economy! IOW, Clinton didn't sell an economic program in the 1992 election - he sold himself as the fixer who was smart - in contrast to Mr. Bush, who was "dumb." It's not "national self-hatred" these people are pushing - it's contempt for people who work to a bottom line. These people are good for only one thing - they are great second-guessers.

For most of our history, people didn't want to put presidents on our coins, believing it to be a sign of Caesarism. Now we've carved them into mountains and crowded the capital with their statues, and written books praising them for making us who we are. I live in Jefferson County. I'd rather have been named for a type of cow.

Well as to that last, that 's the great thing about the Internet - you can be named after a Dumb_Ox if that's what floats your boat.

[Dante3]

Interesting.

[Jeff Head]

It's not the governments that envy us and wish to be like us, it is the people. Envy is probably not the best word, what most people do want is to be free and to allow their freedom and moral constraint to allow them to become the best they can be. Even with the difficulties, setbacks, inroads against it, that is what we have here and what has made us great.

So, it is true that there are many governmental forms and individuals involved in those governments that dislike us, but all you have to do is continue to look at the desire of millions upon millions to come here to know that the world looks upon us as that shining city on a hill. And that is not said with vain pride, it is said with humility and reverence, knowing full well what it is that makes it that way. People throughout the world continue to be drawn to it, irrespective of revisionists, naysayers, detractors, etc..

[Jeff Head]

Veyr well said in post 73.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, my review of LS's book.

[Noumenon]

Just got a copy. Great review - hieghtentens my desire to get into what promises to be an inspiring read. The sneering hate-filled reviews by leftists on Amazon speak volumes, don't they?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

it is true that there are many governmental forms and individuals involved in those governments that dislike us, but all you have to do is continue to look at the desire of millions upon millions to come here to know that the world looks upon us as that shining city on a hill.

I advocate that annually, American citizenships should be auctioned off to qualified bidders. And anyone who has contempt for American citizenship should just sell theirs and move on. I imagine you could buy 40 acres and a mule in Africa for what your American citizenship would bring on the open market. Any takers?

Considering the things that run on electricity or gasoline, and medical care/technology, an American secretary is as well off as Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was.

And that is not said with vain pride, it is said with humility and reverence, knowing full well what it is that makes it that way. People throughout the world continue to be drawn to it, irrespective of revisionists, naysayers, detractors, etc..

People's minds exist to make sense of things; the freedom to express the sense that you can make of the world is therefore inherently valuble to humans. And much as you may want to consider all the sense that the naysayers think to make, IMHO patriotism makes far better sense. Superficial, arrogant negativity sells newspapers but is a grossly distorted picture of American reality.