Kirkus Review
God blesses America, the author contends.Admitting that "the idea that God had chosen this nation for great things does not sit comfortably with modern sensibilities," Metaxas (Lecturer at Large/The King's Coll.; Seven Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness, 2015, etc.) nevertheless makes a faith-based argument for American exceptionalism. He believes that the Founding Fathers incorporated into the Constitution the Golden Triangle of Freedom: "freedom requires virtue; virtue requires faith; and faith requires freedom," an idea articulated by British social critic Os Guiness. Metaxas exhorts Americans today to revitalize freedom by behaving virtuously, insisting on virtuous leaders, and recognizing the significance of Judeo-Christian religion in the nation's identity and destiny. "There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement," writes the author, "while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion." Metaxas is convinced that God has played "a central role" in America's history." "What we have are gifts from God," he writes, "intended for us to steward in such a way as to bless as many people as possible." Americans, therefore, must take up God's mission to share democratic ideals with the whole world. Among the historic events that he believes God influenced was the writing of the Constitution, in which the Fathers conceded, "the finger of the Almighty might indeed have been involved." Acknowledging that the nation has not always acted virtuously, the author encourages citizens to celebrate love of country through the arts (he cites the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as both critical and inspiring); rituals (celebrating Flag Day); and memorizing poetry, such as "Paul Revere's Ride." A controversial view of America's past and future that will appeal to Christian readers. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* In a goofy bobblehead of Nathan Hale, created by waggish Yale alums, Metaxas discerns a disturbing symptom of a cultural disease afflicting America. Evident in the myriad ways that many Americans now ignore or deprecate all that is noble and inspiring in their country's history, this disease greatly alarms Metaxas as a threat to the republic the American founders created two centuries ago. Readers willing to contemplate that threat will see how cultural amnesia has dramatically dimmed America's collective awareness that freedom depends ultimately on virtue. Once recognized not only by Americans such as Washington and Adams but also by European thinkers such as Montesquieu and Tocqueville, this relationship between liberty and virtue defines the center of an impassioned appeal for a renewed American patriotism. Anticipating pushback from readers who regard patriotism as an outmoded, even destructive, tribalism, Metaxas argues that a healthy patriotism will lift us out of narrow self-interest and motivate us to address our nation's still very real defects. And at a time of increasing secularism, Metaxas dares to affirm the enduring role of religion in fostering virtuous patriotism in a nation still bearing the formative marks of the Great Awakening. A bracing challenge to both do-your-own-thing liberals and free-market conservatives.--Christensen, Bryce Copyright 2016 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Metaxas's (Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy) book means to inspire readers to keep lit the flame of American liberty as established by the founders. The book is evangelical in nature, a love letter to old America and traditional liberties, which Metaxas argues are rapidly vanishing and in danger of becoming extinct within this generation. Each chapter cautions against forgetting America's constitutional and foundational roots and calls for self-governance and the return of the government to its proper role in society. The book's arguments are almost exclusively grounded in the 18th century and frame the original intent of the creation of America. Metaxas leans heavily on historical situations, speeches, figures, and art, but his argument suffers from the lack of a connection with a modern United States and the driving home of how these illustrations translate today. In that sense, the book is more historical than political, as the author's main point is that the American philosophy and history he outlines are important to the survival of the country, which he fears are in danger of being forgotten. Verdict The conservative Christian reader will find the book stirring, but others might find it too narrowly focused to be effective.-Laurel Tacoma, Strayer Univ. Lib., Washington, DC © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
