Where We Stand: 30 Reasons for Loving Our Country

by Roger Rosenblatt

In these 30 essays, Roger Rosenblatt draws on his 27 years of reporting and commenting on America to reaffirm the core values of our complex and wonderful country. Famous for his ability to put wise and important ideas into witty and instructive prose, the prize-winning journalist and commentator provides comfort and resolve for Americans in a time of threat. With his charm and humor, Rosenblatt reminds us of the fundamental political and moral strengths of America.

During the last 30 years, Rosenblatt believes, we have been living outside history in a bubble of wealth and power. The events of September 11, 2001, have gives us a chance to reacquaint ourselves with what the country stands for and what it should become. If we have lost our way as a country, it is because we have lost sight of the idealism on which America was founded. The fundamentals of American justice and society are more than America's virtues—they are standards by which a civilization measures its worth.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

ROGER ROSENBLATT, whose work has been published in 14 languages, is the author of five New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and three Times bestsellers, including the memoirs KAYAK MORNING, THE BOY DETECTIVE, and MAKING TOAST, originally an essay in the New Yorker. His newest book is THE STORY I AM, a collection on writing and the writing life.

Rosenblatt has also written seven off-Broadway plays, notably the one-person Free Speech in America, that he performed at the American Place Theater, named one of the Times's "Ten Best Plays of 1991." Last spring at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, he performed and played piano in his play, Lives in the Basement, Does Nothing, which will go to the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook, and the Flea Theater in New York in 2021. He also wrote the screenplay for his bestselling novel LAPHAM RISING, to star Frank Langella, Stockard Channing, and Bobby Cannavale, currently in production.

The Distinguished Professor of English and Writing at SUNY Stony Brook/Southampton, he formerly held the Briggs-Copeland appointment in creative writing at Harvard, where he earned his Ph.D. Among his honors are two George Polk Awards; the Peabody, and the Emmy, for his essays at Time magazine and on PBS; a Fulbright to Ireland, where he played on the Irish International Basketball Team; seven honorary doctorates; the Kenyon Review Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement; and the President's Medal from the Chautauqua Institution for his body of work.

Reviews

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the USA, and I enjoy reading books about history and patriotism. The title of the book intrigued me. It's a book of 30 short essays ranging from the Constitution and the Founding Fathers to 9/11, the environment, to baseball, and Vermont. I sometimes had a hard time because of his sarcasm and sense of humor if the book was really about loving America. In the end, I discovered that he really does love America. He writes about her successes, as well as her flaws, and includes ideas for being the best people and country we can be. There was a lot of good history included. I was very young at the time of the Vietnam War. I had heard the name My Lai Massacre, and new our soldiers did something bad, but I didn't know the details. I was enlightened and saddened by the information he presented. He wrote about abortion, 9/11, and segregation. I did learn a lot, but was a little disappointed in his presentation of things.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

30 essays from a simpler time —- 2002. Sometimes Rosenblatt’s optimism is refreshing and uplifting, but then there are others when his thoughts have already been proven wrong (e.g., gun control). Still, it’s a unique perspective of where we stood 21 years ago.

[Bern J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me some insights and appreciations into America that I didn't have before or had
just plain forgotten. Wasn't it David Mamet that commented "We're a strange bunch of monkeys" ?
This is a book to think over and that's good.

[Ann Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosenblatt has a way with words peppered with his wry sense of humor. Though his political and philosophical differ from mine, his love of wife, children, grandchildren and country show through. His age reflects activities of his you which I understand.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential. Sorry, Roger Rosenblatt, you are a sourpuss.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did give you things to think about but I found the author's style to be distracting and a little too focused on New York City.