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| America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I): From the Age of Discovery to a World at War | 
 enlarge | Author: William J. Bennett
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Category: Book
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $8.43
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Avg. Customer Rating:  72 reviews
Sales Rank: 38256
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 592
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.6
Dewey Decimal Number: 973
ASIN: B000W0IDS4
Publication Date: May 23, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This is a thriving account of the virtues of our great country and the many brave, virtuous men and women who have made it the proud, powerful nation it is today. Telling a sweeping tale of human initiative, struggle, vice, and victory, Bennett conveys what is unique about America.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 67 more reviews...
 Great Book! May 24, 2006
214 out of 230 found this review helpful
I am not sure if other reviewers have been able to read this whole thing or not, since it did just come out yesterday. Admittedly, I myself have yet to finish it,however, I have read about half of it. Being a history student in a department with many prominent historians, most notably Leonard Richard who has become particularly famous for his original analysis of John Quincy Adam's anti-slavery rhetoric as a congressman, I am extremely fond of new history books.
Mr. Bennett's book is truly a masterpiece. The very fact that I have already read about half of it in the past day it has been released should attest to how difficult it is to put this book down. Despite the fact that Mr. Bennett clearly has a political past, this book is highly non-partisan as he praises both politicl aides. The only bias that Mr. Bennett holds is that he (as do I ) think America is the greatest nation on the face of the Earth. This is not blind patriotism or nationalism. Instead it is patriotism based on fact more than pure emotion. He admits that our nation has had MAJOR problems, especially in terms of racial history. However, as he states, no nation is perfect and every other nation has similar disturbing facets of their past. Keeping that in mind, America has been and still is the beakon of freedom and hope around the world. Mr. Bennett's research is extremely thorough (first thing I do when I check a history book are check the sources.... he derives his information from historians ranging from Shelby Foote to Harry Jaffa to Douglas Brinkley to Henry Steele Commager to David McCullough; really some of the greatest in their field). Furthermore, he is an exquisite writer as he does things such as refer to men such as Ronald Reagan (in his only reference to the former president) as "the old man who dreamed dreams and lived to see those dreams become reality".
It is a rather long book (and only volume I too) but it is more than worth all the pages and you will actually find yourself wishing that this 525 page masterpiece was even longer. Here's looking forward to spring 2007 so volume II will come out.
Bad reviewer's history tells all May 26, 2006
96 out of 120 found this review helpful
When I see a bad review I look into other books that person has reviewed. In this case Mr. Preston has rated every book that has any positive message about the U.S. poorly and any book that portrays the U.S. as evil, gets 5 stars. Luckily very few people find his reviews helpful (Michael Moore 5 stars!! pleeease!) My only question is why does this idiot still stay in a place so terrible? And when will you leave?
From Columbus to WWI June 2, 2006
91 out of 116 found this review helpful
William Bennett has long established himself as an author of sorts, not so much by what he has written, but in what he has compiled. He has given us such great compilations of writings from an array of sources in monumental books such as the Book of Virtues, The Moral Compass and Our Sacred Honor, but in his latest venture, AMERICA: THE LAST BEST HOPE, Bennett varies from the role of editor, into the full blown role of writer and does so in superb fashion.
Bennett's personal indiscretions will cause the shallow minded reviewer who chooses to "kill the messenger" to delight in denigrating this fine work, but do not let that discourage you from exposure to this magnificent book. This is not just another dogged approach to American history. This is the story of America presented in a flowing narrative that is concise, insightful, accurate and teeming with adoration for the country that is, in fact, the world's last best hope for the future. Concurrently, Bennett is not averse to exposing the faults of our history in such areas as slavery and Jim Crow laws.
The truly defining moments of our rich history have inclusion here. Of course, even with it's rather hefty 544 pages, it is impossible to do little more than scratch the surface, but for an overview of history, Bennett has meticulously chosen the essential events necessary to impart the desired outcome.
Throughout the years, many have sought to duplicate this effort as volumes covering the matter here are abundant, but with the passage of time, I believe this work will stand the test and emerge as one of the best sources available in this venue. Not because it simply presents the history, but because it instills pride in the reader. It reaffirms all that we love about America and reminds us of how great she truly is, and how great a role those who came before us have been to building her.
If you already love America, your love will be deepened here. If you are less than 50 years old, this book will perhaps shed light as to why we of older generations hold such a profound admiration for our country. These are the things that used to be openly taught in our schools. These are the stories of American history previous generations grew up with. This is the history of America that is so overlooked and even rewritten by those today who loathe our history. This book belongs in every American home.
Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com
 Overall, very good June 12, 2006
27 out of 30 found this review helpful
Bill Bennett set out to write a history of America, while taking his eyes, and eyes of the reader, off the nations's genitals. So much of the history coming out now seems to concentrate on the negative, a positive history seems like a good idea.
The book is not bad at all. I have read many U.S. histories, including more than a few multi-volume sets. Bennett did a good job. His work compares rather favorably with the efforts of others, and he does not dwell on the negative.
Bennett makes a serious attempt to tell the story of America from Columbus until the beginning of WWI. His book has some strong points. The sections on the Revolution, the Civil War, and the writing of the Constitution are very good. They are not full of detail, but there are plenty of other volumes for that. Bennett does a good job of explaining and describing these events, and most readers will find them enjoyable and informative.
Bennett gives positive attention to some figures--Andrew Jackson, for example--many find less than enchanting. I am one who has always been puzzled by those who like Jackson. Bennett does go into the strengths of his character, while not ignoring Jackson's many faults. I think his treatment of the man was very fair.
Washinton and Lincoln emerge as great men, very worthy of respect and admiration. So does Jefferson. The Adams--father and son--also come off well, with the reader not being unaware of their own flukes of character.
This is a good book. Its a survey, a broad brush overview of American history--but its informative, and a pleasure to read. Those who seek much greater detail will find it in other books. This book does qualify as one many can read and enjoy.
Review by Publisher's predictable July 6, 2006
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
The fact that some of the reviewers mention the "biased" nature of the book is a howl! Considering that our kids have been taught for the last 25 years everything about the negative historical facts of America, found in all countries and all human nature,and almost nothing about the uncommonly generous, humane, courageous, passionate, tolerant and justice-minded citizens who had to learn and grow in an environment and country extremely different from the one of our wealthy and educated citizens today. History is not "liberal" or "conservative." History is a compilation of facts and experience and narrative by those who were there and they were flawed individuals like all of us. A notable difference is that they didn't always have the energy for self-congratulatory liberalism of today, since, unlike most today, their main focus was to literally survive a very tough life for themselves and their family. It's one thing to sit in a warm college for 5 years talking about "cathedral forests," its quite another to have 6 kids and needing to cut down trees to plant food and build shelters. One is not "better" than the other - life circumstances dictate behavior. That was a time; that is history; not good, not bad, not liberal, not conservative, just people struggling along toward enlightenment and hope for the generations to come. (You know, serious things, like enabling thousands of over-privileged teenagers and liberal college kids to go to Cancun or Florida on spring break every year, while they bitch about their country.) History and one of its researchers/authors - shall it be squelched (or damned with faint praise) if it doesn't agree with your politics? I think not. And to even bring up Bennett's gambling problem in a book review is typical hypocritical behavior of so many liberals who claim superior tolerance and love of diversity. My, my, my - how mean-spirited!
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