A Patriot's Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love

I absolutely loved reading this book. It is filled with excellent speeches, poems, stories, and songs. This book is divided into interesting sections like The Flag, Equality, Freedom, War and Peace, and The Individual. There are excerpts from famous books included here like To Kill A Mockingbird, The Grapes of Wrath, and Huckleberry Finn. Just reading these excerpts made me take a few of these books off my shelf again.One of my favorite speeches in this book is entitled Can A Woman Ever Be President of the United States. It was given in 1935 by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She talked in the speech about why she felt a woman would make a good President and the qualities that would make a woman a good leader. In the speech Roosevelt believed that women are more capable of attending to detail and better at adjusting to different surroundings than men. There is a wonderful speech given by Hillary Rodham Clinton in Beijing China about inequality and the physical and psychological violations women in China endure This is a very powerful speech that urges a need for change and a willingness for all people to work together so that every woman can reach their full potential in life. I also loved Teddy Roosevelt's 1899 speech called The Strenuous Life in which he told the American people to work hard and not be afraid to endure hardship in order to make their dreams come true. Martin Luther's I Have a Dream speech about racial equality and social justice from 1963 is included in this book. I appreciated reading this speech, because I never heard the entire speech before or understood the significance until now. I loved the story of Senator John McCain who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He remained hopeful and optimistic of his release sinply by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance everyday. I loved the statement Edward Kennedy gave in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, because as a disabled person I can appreciate how much progress our country has made in leveling the playing field with persons for disabilities in all areas of life.I loved the speech by Arnold Schwarzengger entitled The Education Of An American as he talked about how he became a successful movie star. Arnold now has a new mission in life promoting fitness and sports programs in schools.There are lyrics of popular songs like Born In The USA, Surfing USA and God Bless the USA which all celebrate a sense of pride in the United States. There are other songs like Big Yellow Taxi and Blowing in the Wind. These songs are about how fast change takes place in this country.There are many descriptive and insightful poems in this book. One of my favorites is Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes. It is a wonderful poem about the dream of racial equality in America. The Road Not Taken is a great poem by Robert Frost about following your own path in life.This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in learning more about American history or culture. I enjoyed it very much.

A great reference for essential documents and American literature.

I bought one, then ordered more to give as gifts. One of those easy reads that you can pick up for 15 minutes or 2 hours, then walk away feeling good.

I love this book, I am an author and was writing a book on Martha's Vineyard in their rather wonderful library. I tend to get tired of writing after two to three hours but find if I read poetry it's as good as a brief nap. However, this book was on the shelves, I took it out and was entranced. Each day I came back to it. And then I bought a copy for myself and each day I read something to remind me of when the United States of America was great. If you're as depressed about 2017 to 2020 as I, please buy this book, it will help restore and reinvigorate you.

Caroline Kennedy poems etc I gave the book to my daughter dont like poetry Thank you much. It is nice book I gave book to my daughter a lot of poems Tots of music and poems etc very geta book

Great book that every American should have and teach to their children. Can read as little or much as you want at each sitting. Wonderful book. Sharon

I have given out 18 of these books. all seperate articles. Inspiration from great thinkers in the American experience.Certain phrases are inspirational like a bible

Product arrived on time (very inadequately packaged), however, in great condition! I ordered this book in the wake of the absence of traditional information for a young family member this last Thanksgiving! It is chock full of wide-ranging materials, which may renew a sense of faith, hope and pride in our country, at this perilous time when little too often seems to make much sense in our nation and world! I heartily recommend it to all those who are seeking such relief!