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Americans Who Tell the Truth
Stunning portraits and stirring words of brave citizens from all walks of life. As we in the United States have the right to speak the truth, we also have the need to be told the truth. Americans have used this freedom to motivate and empower others to challenge the status quo. Artist Robert Shetterly?s fifty portraits offer a powerful perspective on what it means to be American and to be part of a democratic society.
48 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2005
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About the author
Robert Shetterly
18 books2 followersRobert Shetterly's portraits were inspired by the events surrounding 9/11. A fine artist whose work has been widely exhibited, he has illustrated more than twenty-five books. Mr. Shetterly lives in Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 19, 2018
This important book is in the juvenile section of the public library, but there should probably be an adult version of it also. Pointing out the truth seems more important today when we have a president, Trump, who lies repeatedly, to the point of having thousands of documented lies in just a couple years as president.
There are some great quotes in here, quotes that have the ring of truth to them. For example; Jim Hightower who said, "The opposite of courage is not cowardice, it is conformity, Even a dead fish can go with the flow;" and Wendell Berry who said, "The most alarming sign of the state of our society now is that our leaders have the courage to sacrifice the lives of young people in war, but not the courage to tell us that we must be less greedy and less wasteful." Also Terry Tempest Williams who said, "The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time," and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who said, "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of life and light no longer flow into our soul."
However there is one quote in here and, in my opinion, only one that should not be here. That is the often repeated quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." That is a lie and has never been true. How we are treated by others can often make us feel inferior. It can destroy our confidence in ourselves and lead to illness, major disability, and even death. Children and adults who experience chronic physical and/or psychological abuse will eventually feel inferior. The younger ones have no way of escaping such a toxic environment, and sometime adults too are stuck for long periods of time in a hostile home or work environment. At those time one needs the support of others to escape and avoid disability. A bully does not wait to get your permission before targeting you. Chronic bullying can completely destroy one's confidence and make it difficult for him or her to complete a task that he or she has done expertly thousands of times for dozens of years.
Other quotes often heard today are equally untrue, like the one from the German philosopher Nietzche, and found more recently in a popular song, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." A child or young person who has suffered and survived physical or sexual abuse is not necessarily stronger because of it. That's simply not true. Often a person so mistreated is plagued with nightmares, fears, and other disorders that blocks progress and success in life and in relationships.
It's important to know the truth and realize that not everything we hear quoted is true or acceptable to repeat.
There are some great quotes in here, quotes that have the ring of truth to them. For example; Jim Hightower who said, "The opposite of courage is not cowardice, it is conformity, Even a dead fish can go with the flow;" and Wendell Berry who said, "The most alarming sign of the state of our society now is that our leaders have the courage to sacrifice the lives of young people in war, but not the courage to tell us that we must be less greedy and less wasteful." Also Terry Tempest Williams who said, "The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time," and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who said, "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of life and light no longer flow into our soul."
However there is one quote in here and, in my opinion, only one that should not be here. That is the often repeated quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." That is a lie and has never been true. How we are treated by others can often make us feel inferior. It can destroy our confidence in ourselves and lead to illness, major disability, and even death. Children and adults who experience chronic physical and/or psychological abuse will eventually feel inferior. The younger ones have no way of escaping such a toxic environment, and sometime adults too are stuck for long periods of time in a hostile home or work environment. At those time one needs the support of others to escape and avoid disability. A bully does not wait to get your permission before targeting you. Chronic bullying can completely destroy one's confidence and make it difficult for him or her to complete a task that he or she has done expertly thousands of times for dozens of years.
Other quotes often heard today are equally untrue, like the one from the German philosopher Nietzche, and found more recently in a popular song, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." A child or young person who has suffered and survived physical or sexual abuse is not necessarily stronger because of it. That's simply not true. Often a person so mistreated is plagued with nightmares, fears, and other disorders that blocks progress and success in life and in relationships.
It's important to know the truth and realize that not everything we hear quoted is true or acceptable to repeat.
November 12, 2019
There isn't much text in this book. Portraits make up most of this book. Many of the people are unfamiliar so one paragraph biographies are at the back of the book.
The text can be read in a short time. To contemplate what the quotations say not only about the people and their time, but about our time asks the reader to read the quotations slowly, to think about them, to read them again.
The portraits are interesting too. They were part of a traveling exhibit. It's nice to put a face with a name of someone you've heard of or perhaps even read a book by.
This book is written for younger readers, but older ones would do well to sit down and talk about the quotations with the younger reader.
The text can be read in a short time. To contemplate what the quotations say not only about the people and their time, but about our time asks the reader to read the quotations slowly, to think about them, to read them again.
The portraits are interesting too. They were part of a traveling exhibit. It's nice to put a face with a name of someone you've heard of or perhaps even read a book by.
This book is written for younger readers, but older ones would do well to sit down and talk about the quotations with the younger reader.
July 24, 2021
An amazing little book highlighting 50 individuals for their accomplishments toward the betterment toward mankind. Some famous, most not. All told the truth even it meant something negative of their reputation.
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
March 14, 2019
Loved this collection of biographies
Short and sweet
Great intro for young children
Short and sweet
Great intro for young children
November 13, 2008
This book contains 50 portraits of famous Americans, combined with thought provoking quotes and short biographies, that offer a powerful view of what it means "to be an American, to hold American values, and to be a part of a democratic society" where free speech is protected. Each quote addresses how the power of freedom has enabled these influencial and dynamic Americans to challenge the status quo and remind us that our democracy is ever changing.
This book was inspired by the events of 9/11 and is designed to simulate a walk through a portrait gallery. Some of the featured biographies are Frederick Douglas, Rachel Carson, Mark Twain, Helen Keller, Martin Luther Kin Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, and Walt Whitman. In addition to these well know names, students will learn about other lesser known personalities who have courageously used the power of the word to raise awarenes of difficult questions that must be answered.
"History is not just something we read about or that happens to us. History is something we shape by our determination to be involved with the events of our time." This quote by the author, Robert Shetterly, eloquently summarizes his purpose for compiling the quotes and biographies in this book.This collection would definitely stimulate and stretch the thinking of upper middle school students, high schoolers, and older who may be learning about civics or studying history. This book introduces the reader to the "truth tellers" whose influence and efforts have contributed to positive change in American society. They are a diverse group from all walks of life and of various occupations, but the question should be posed: What do they have in common and what lessons can we learn from their activism? There is also a website available that gives information about how these portaits can be brought to a community for a more intimate experience with the "truth tellers."
This book was inspired by the events of 9/11 and is designed to simulate a walk through a portrait gallery. Some of the featured biographies are Frederick Douglas, Rachel Carson, Mark Twain, Helen Keller, Martin Luther Kin Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, and Walt Whitman. In addition to these well know names, students will learn about other lesser known personalities who have courageously used the power of the word to raise awarenes of difficult questions that must be answered.
"History is not just something we read about or that happens to us. History is something we shape by our determination to be involved with the events of our time." This quote by the author, Robert Shetterly, eloquently summarizes his purpose for compiling the quotes and biographies in this book.This collection would definitely stimulate and stretch the thinking of upper middle school students, high schoolers, and older who may be learning about civics or studying history. This book introduces the reader to the "truth tellers" whose influence and efforts have contributed to positive change in American society. They are a diverse group from all walks of life and of various occupations, but the question should be posed: What do they have in common and what lessons can we learn from their activism? There is also a website available that gives information about how these portaits can be brought to a community for a more intimate experience with the "truth tellers."
October 2, 2016
Robert Shetterly is an illustrator who, grieved by the government’s response to the 9/11 attacks, created a series of paintings of people whose courage and actions have inspired him. Fifty of these are presented in this book, along with a quote from each; short biographies are included at the end of the book.
Shetterly says, “This book of portraits is dedicated to all those who have fought with such persistence and courage to close the gap between what the United States says about equality, justice, and democracy and what it does. Justice is not guaranteed in our Constitution; it is guaranteed by the love we have for it in our hearts, the truths we are willing to tell, and the degree to which we are willing to struggle for it.” Among them:
Jane Addams: “Much of the insensibility and hardness of the world is due to the lack of imagination which prevents a realization of the experience of other people.”
W.E. B. Du Bois: “Back of the problem of race and color lies a greater problem…and that is the fact that so many civilized persons are willing to live in comfort even if the price of this is poverty, ignorance, and disease of the majority of their fellowmen; that to maintain this privilege men have waged war until today war tends to become universal and continuous.”
Margaret Chase Smith: “The right to criticize; the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to protest; the right of independent thought. The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood…Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.”
Noam Chomsky: “Jingoism, racism, fear, religious fundamentalism: these are the ways of appealing to people if you’re trying to organize a mass base of support for policies that are really intended to crush them.”
Terry Tempest Williams: “The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.”
Shetterly says, “This book of portraits is dedicated to all those who have fought with such persistence and courage to close the gap between what the United States says about equality, justice, and democracy and what it does. Justice is not guaranteed in our Constitution; it is guaranteed by the love we have for it in our hearts, the truths we are willing to tell, and the degree to which we are willing to struggle for it.” Among them:
Jane Addams: “Much of the insensibility and hardness of the world is due to the lack of imagination which prevents a realization of the experience of other people.”
W.E. B. Du Bois: “Back of the problem of race and color lies a greater problem…and that is the fact that so many civilized persons are willing to live in comfort even if the price of this is poverty, ignorance, and disease of the majority of their fellowmen; that to maintain this privilege men have waged war until today war tends to become universal and continuous.”
Margaret Chase Smith: “The right to criticize; the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to protest; the right of independent thought. The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood…Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.”
Noam Chomsky: “Jingoism, racism, fear, religious fundamentalism: these are the ways of appealing to people if you’re trying to organize a mass base of support for policies that are really intended to crush them.”
Terry Tempest Williams: “The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.”
January 14, 2013
Robert Shetterly was inspired to create this beautiful book of portraits, portraits of Americans unafraid to speak truth when those truths were not self-evident or inconvenient, after 9/11. It is a stunning collection of brave Americans like Howard Zinn, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Judy Wicks, Frederick Douglass, Frances Moore Lappe just to name a few. The quotes selected from these folks' works provoke deep thinking about out existence on this planet and our obligation as a human being to walk lightly. Take for example Wendall Berry's words: "The most alarming sign of the state of our society now is that our leaders have the courage to sacrifice the lives of young people in war but have not the courage to tell us that we must be less greedy and less wasteful."
I took this beautiful book out of the library after viewing Shetterly's portrait of Russell Libby, another of Shetterly's subjects painted for Shetterly's project after the book itself was published. Russell Libby just died in December (2012)and the people of Maine have lost a true visionary, a poet and a visionary. Shetterly caught Mr. Libby's spirit perfectly, at least from this Mainer's view of things. That portrait inspired me to read Americans Who Tell the Truth and go to AWTT at http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.o...
I took this beautiful book out of the library after viewing Shetterly's portrait of Russell Libby, another of Shetterly's subjects painted for Shetterly's project after the book itself was published. Russell Libby just died in December (2012)and the people of Maine have lost a true visionary, a poet and a visionary. Shetterly caught Mr. Libby's spirit perfectly, at least from this Mainer's view of things. That portrait inspired me to read Americans Who Tell the Truth and go to AWTT at http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.o...
April 24, 2015
I really like how this book is set up. Each page has a portrait of an influential person in American history along with a memorable quote from them that accurately represents what they stood for. There is a wide range of people featured in the book including politicians, activists, authors, scientists, and even Native American Leaders. This would be a great book to reference when learning about influential people at different points in American history. However, it is a book that should be monitored or not put in a classroom library because a few quotes contain profanity.
October 30, 2010
This is a very intriguing picture book that encompasses Americans from all different eras and walks of life that have made our country strong through their honesty. Each individual honored in this book has a picture, a quote, and a short biography (at the end of the book). This book really gets you thinking and introduces you to individuals you may not have known, that have impacted our country in different ways.
June 2, 2015
An inspiring anthology of notable Americans who had great information to share with the world. The diversity of people exhibited in this book were great as quotes from civil rights activists, women's suffrage leaders, reformers, and a myriad of other agents of change were depicted and quoted.
This book can be used as a mentor text for writing teachers by looking at some of the conventions being used and the sentence fluency of the quotes.
This book can be used as a mentor text for writing teachers by looking at some of the conventions being used and the sentence fluency of the quotes.
February 23, 2009
I really like this book. Shetterly's portraits are phenomenal and meaning is added with quotes from each of the truth-telling Americans. It's in the LCUUC library, but I will add it to my library as well.
March 27, 2009
Beautiful Portraits coupled with quotes from these brave subjects from all different backgrounds. Some of the portraits remind me how great strength and wisdom can come from some of the smallest and most unlikely people. Inspiring.
December 7, 2008
This book contained some wonderful quotes, and interesting information about the people quoted at the back of the book. Some of them were people I had never heard of--an now want to know more about.
March 15, 2009
AEI Grad Bus was fortunate enough to meet with and hang out with Rob Shetterly. He is an amazing man and his work is very inspirational. Maybe one day I'll be added to his collection of portraits!
January 15, 2016
I would have given it 5 stars but I don't think books marketed in the juvenile section should say, 'Son of a B...'
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews