What's Right About America: Celebrating Our Nation's Values

By Kay Granger

What's Right About America provides a fresh, lively take on the evolution of American values, and why they matter today more than ever.Rep. Granger is ideally suited to write a book that speaks to American ideals, and how this country strives-sometimes in fits and starts-to meet the high standards set by the Founding Fathers. A former teacher, Rep. Granger sits on both the House Defense Appropriations and Education Subcommittees. She's keenly aware that the threats and challenges we face abroad and at home make it imperative that young people in particular understand what makes the United States unique-and why that uniqueness is worth preserving.Each chapter of What's Right About America brings to life American values-compassion, responsibility, justice, and the belief in progress-as embodied in the stories of great Americans such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Neil Armstrong and Rosa Parks. Rep. Granger shows how their momentous actions brought out not just the best in themselves, but in others-though sometimes at a high cost.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977898407
• ISBN13: 9780977898404
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: WND Books
• Length: 119 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 0.7" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Stories of Courage and Principle

Rep. Kay Granger celebrates our values by citing stories of courage and principle, from men and women of diverse backgrounds, who have made and impact on history and the people their lives have touched. The book is in 3 sections, Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness. "Life" includes the incredible account of Scott O'Grady's rescue when his F-16 was shot down over Bosnia in 1995, Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, and George Washington quelling a mutiny in 1783. "Liberty" includes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Rosa Park's stand for justice during the Civil Rights struggle, and Thomas Jefferson and the Danbury Baptist Association on religious liberty. "The Pursuit of Happiness" has General Eisenhower's thoughts on the Normandy Invasion, and the responsibility inherent in fighting for freedom, Apollo 11's moon landing in 1969, Franklin D. Roosevelt's courage in overcoming the obstacle of polio in his desire to be president, and Dr. Antonia Novello, who was the first woman, and first Hispanic, to become Surgeon General in 1990. The Appendices are excellent, with some great documents: The Declaration of Independence, Martin Luther King Jr.'s lengthy "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, Thomas Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists (a document that some people put as much weight in as the Constitution, or somehow think the same language is in both documents), Eisenhower's "In case of failure" draft statement, and an excerpt from one of Dr. Novello's speeches. The book ends with a discussion guide, which has suggestions on how we can make a difference in our communities, and "What's Right About America" would be a good book for teenagers, as it is full of inspiring stories, with many that they have most likely not heard before. Rep. Granger, a former school teacher, writes in a simple but eloquent style, and the Texans in Rep. Granger's congressional district can be proud that she has not only written a fine book, but has put her principles into action, as the proceeds from sales go to 2 very worthy causes, the Lena Pope Home in Ft. Worth, and the National Leadership Foundation, so buying this book is helpful as well as edifying.

How lucky we are to live in the United States.

We get so battered by the "blame America first" crowd that it's easy to forget what a blessing it is to live in this country. I liked Kay Granger's book because it reminded me of that in a non-preachy, fascinating way. Although I was a history major in college I learned some things about major historical figures like Dwight Eisenhower that I didn't know. Granger's approach is lively and forthright, which makes for an entertaining read. Perfect for young adults and anyone with a love of history.

What's Right With America

This lively little book takes events from the lives of the famous (Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.) and the ordinary and uses them to illustrate such classic American values as our love of service, justice, compassion, etc. The reader will not only learn fascinating details about noteworthy Americans but will be reminded of the virtues that make America exceptional. This is a great gift for high school and college students, who all to often are taught what's wrong with America. And it's a good refresher course for all American adults as well.