Our Sacred Honor

By William J. Bennett

Book Overview

Millions of American families have turned toThe Book of VirtuesandThe Moral Compassby William J. Bennett for moral guidance in troubled times.Our Sacred Honoroffers inspiration and instruction as well...this time of a particularly American sort.The lessons it contains are especially welcome. We live in a time when the practice of representative government in the United States of America is under siege from both the left and the right. Scandals abound. We are first shocked, then wearied, to learn that our national leaders have feet of clay. We live in a time, in short, which demands that we return to our origins to discover the common principles that make us essentially American.Our Sacred Honorreveals those common principles. They are articulated by the flawed but deeply admirable men and women who first wrote what it is to be American. The pledge made by the Founders to one another that hot July day in 1776?the pledge of "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"?has been redeemed many times in the centuries since, but the nation they founded has never failed to profit from their example.It is time to profit from their advice.InOur Sacred Honor,William J. Bennett has collected the best that has been thought and said by and about the men and women who founded America. And what a group they are: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, and so many more that otherwise first-rate intellects such as John Dickinson, Benjamin Rush, and George Mason are relegated to the status of footnotes in the popular imagination. Not since Periclean Athens has such a small nation been led by so many larger-than-life figures. The only characteristic they shared more widely than revolutionary ardor was their talent (and inclination) for advice. Here is that advice on virtually every aspect of "the good"?good government, good relations between individuals and nations, and what it means to live a good life. Here are Thomas Jefferson on piety ("Adore God. Murmur not at the ways of Providence"); James Madison on justice ("It ever has been, and ever will be pursued, until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit"); and Patrick Henry on patriotism ("Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?"). Here are Abigail Adams on love ("When he is wounded, I bleed..."); Benjamin Franklin on industry ("Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today"); and George Washington on friendship ("Be courteous with all, but intimate with few"). Here are the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle," Longfellow's celebration of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and the Declaration of Independence. Here are the stories of the Liberty Bell, Washington at Valley Forge, and Nathan Hale. Here are selections fromThe Federalist Papers,and Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Hymn," with "the shot heard round the world." Here arePoor Richard's Almanack,the extraordinary correspondence between John and Abigail Adams, and George Washington's Farewell Address.The stories, songs, letters, and speeches collected inOur Sacred Honorare an inspiring celebration of American exceptionalism, produced by a collection of exceptional Americans. It is the best book of advice in more than two hundred years.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068484138X
• ISBN13: 9780684841380
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 430 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Book of Virtue's, Americana Style

This is like the Americana version of Bennett's previous excellent compilations, THE BOOK OF VIRTUES and THE MORAL COMPASS. In the first incredible book, Virtue's, Bennett takes the reader on a journey that spans the globe and bridges time with stories of virtue from ancient Rome to the modern world, and writings from Aesop to Yeats; and the Moral Compass is predominantly poems and fables. OUR SACRED HONOR, as the dust jacket directs, is filled with "Words of advice from the Founders in stories, letters, poems and speeches." This volume contains the same basic structure as Bennett's previous works. Seven chapters expose the reader to a compilation of our Founders thoughts and examples of Patriotism and Courage, Love and Courtship, Civility and Friendship, Education of the Head and Heart, Industry and Frugality, Justice, and finally, Piety. Like we have come to expect from Bennett's work, upon closing this book, the reader will doubtless come away, a better person. As you read the wisdom of our Founders, self-examination becomes eminent. There will be those who may choose to "kill the messenger" and shun this work citing Bennett as a "hypocrite" due to his indiscretions, but these short sighted and shallow individuals are ignoring a simple fact, Bennett, as a writer, or perhaps more specifically, a compiler of existing writings, is second to no one. His brilliant works are like a road map for the journey of life, and this fine book lives up completely to the high standard we've come to expect. Buy this book. Read it with your children. Teach them the important lessons in life they are not getting from our school system. You will be rewarded a thousand times over from the price of this book. Monty Rainey www.juntosociety.com

The founders, in their own words

Bennett has combed the letters, papers, speeches, etc. of America's founders and collected them in a manageable form. This collection provides considerable insight into the founders' thought process.Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Rush, Franklin, Hamilton: they're all here and more. Learn what they thought about one another. Find out how they really felt about freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, free speech, slavery, and political institutions. Gain respect and appreciation for the original values on which America was founded.Bennett often interjects his editorial among the original documents. Sometimes this is helpful, sometimes not.You should know this book has a conservative tone. It is for historians to decide whether this tone is Bennett's bias or the founders' attitudes.If you want to understand for yourself why America was framed as it was, get it from the horses' mouths.

Astonishingly good, deeply important

I started listening to the audio tape some time ago in the car, and was initially somewhat ambivalent about the program. However, within fifteen minutes, I was thoroughly engaged, and fifteen minutes after that, wiping held-back tears from the corners of my eyes, wondering if "Nathaniel" (as in Hale) would be a good name for my future son.Our forefathers, with courage and genius, created the most immitated society the world has ever known. How proud and fortunate this audio book makes one feel. I'm committed to listening to it with my teenage nieces and nephews on a "captive" drive sometime. It'll be a great topic for discussion.

Timeless Values

This book was a gift from my uncle, and one that I was thrilled to receive. I have a passion for learning about the Founders and the War that defined the way we live today. The author brings out the best quotes, poems, and letters from the most influential men in American history. Their level of devotion is unparalleled throughout the world. I find it most admirable that these men relied on God for their wisdom and through prayer and faith they pledged their "sacred honor" to the cause. I am only a high school student, but I understand that these values apply to everyone in every class. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for God or guidance.

eye opening and tear shedding

As a military man who joined to serve his country and nothing more, this book is a breath of life giving air. To know that I am not the only one who feels the need to give all to this country. Mr. Bennett does an outstanding job pointing out the easily missed down falls of modern day society without ever calling out a single name or pointing fingers. WE ARE ALL responsible and just as guilty as the next for the decisions that have been made concerning American Morality. And Mr. Bennett makes that point abundantly clear. I just barely got through his introduction when pride and fear began to overwhelm me. This country is in trouble and as he says in his book "it may not have all the answers but it is a step in the right direction. Thank You Mr. Bennett for reminding me that I am an American and I have the right to stand for what is right. And I too gladly give of my time and life if required in service to this great nation.