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Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History and Future
Rediscovering God in America is my invitation for you to join me on a walk through America's capital city, Washington, D.C.
This walking tour is not just a look at the architecture and beauty of our nation's capital; it is a tour of American history, of the great men and women, the great events, the great documents and great institutions, the great ideas—all shaped decisively by the genuine belief that we are a nation under God—that are at the heart of our freedom as Americans and our identity as a people.
The next time a friend or colleague says that religious expression has no place in the public square and that discussion of God has no place in our children's history and government classes, you will only need to tell them about what you experienced on this simple walk to remind them of God's role in America's history—and America's future.
This walking tour is not just a look at the architecture and beauty of our nation's capital; it is a tour of American history, of the great men and women, the great events, the great documents and great institutions, the great ideas—all shaped decisively by the genuine belief that we are a nation under God—that are at the heart of our freedom as Americans and our identity as a people.
The next time a friend or colleague says that religious expression has no place in the public square and that discussion of God has no place in our children's history and government classes, you will only need to tell them about what you experienced on this simple walk to remind them of God's role in America's history—and America's future.
159 pages, Hardcover
First published February 29, 2000
29 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Newt Gingrich
114 books545 followersNewt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, the first balanced budget in a generation, and the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.
Today Newt Gingrich is a Fox News contributor. He is a Senior Advisor at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm with more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries and offices in more than 125 cities. He advises the firm’s world-class Public Policy and Regulation practice. He is also a Senior Scientist at Gallup.
From May 2011 to May 2012, Newt Gingrich was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, winning the South Carolina and the Georgia primaries. The campaign was especially notable for its innovative policy agenda, its effort to bring new coalitions into the Republican fold, and for Newt’s debate performances. His $2.50 a gallon energy plan set off a nationwide discussion about the use of America’s energy resources.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published twenty-nine books including 14 fiction and nonfiction New York Times best-sellers.
Non-fiction books include his latest, Breakout, in addition to A Nation Like No Other, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, To Save America, Rediscovering God in America, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, and The Art of Transformation. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books including, Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy, To Make Men Free, To Try Men’s Souls, Valley Forge, and Victory at Yorktown. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths. His latest novel, Treason, is the sequel to Duplicity and is a thriller of Washington intrigue and international terrorism.
Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include The First American, Divine Mercy: The Canonization of John Paul II, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, Nine Days That Changed The World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, Rediscovering God in America, Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage, and We Have the Power.
In his post-Speaker role, Newt has become one of the most highly sought-after public speakers, accepting invitations to speak before prestigious organizations throughout the world. Because of his own unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Newt is able to share unique and unparalleled insights on a wide range of topics. His audiences find him to be not only educational but also inspirational. For more information about Newt’s speaking engagements, please visit the Worldwide Speakers Group.
Widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans, his leadership in the U.S. Congress helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.
To foster a modern health system that provide
Today Newt Gingrich is a Fox News contributor. He is a Senior Advisor at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm with more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries and offices in more than 125 cities. He advises the firm’s world-class Public Policy and Regulation practice. He is also a Senior Scientist at Gallup.
From May 2011 to May 2012, Newt Gingrich was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, winning the South Carolina and the Georgia primaries. The campaign was especially notable for its innovative policy agenda, its effort to bring new coalitions into the Republican fold, and for Newt’s debate performances. His $2.50 a gallon energy plan set off a nationwide discussion about the use of America’s energy resources.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published twenty-nine books including 14 fiction and nonfiction New York Times best-sellers.
Non-fiction books include his latest, Breakout, in addition to A Nation Like No Other, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, To Save America, Rediscovering God in America, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, and The Art of Transformation. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books including, Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy, To Make Men Free, To Try Men’s Souls, Valley Forge, and Victory at Yorktown. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths. His latest novel, Treason, is the sequel to Duplicity and is a thriller of Washington intrigue and international terrorism.
Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include The First American, Divine Mercy: The Canonization of John Paul II, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, Nine Days That Changed The World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, Rediscovering God in America, Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage, and We Have the Power.
In his post-Speaker role, Newt has become one of the most highly sought-after public speakers, accepting invitations to speak before prestigious organizations throughout the world. Because of his own unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Newt is able to share unique and unparalleled insights on a wide range of topics. His audiences find him to be not only educational but also inspirational. For more information about Newt’s speaking engagements, please visit the Worldwide Speakers Group.
Widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans, his leadership in the U.S. Congress helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.
To foster a modern health system that provide
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 26, 2017
While on vacation at the AZ Koeppen compound I like to pick a book off the right-wing bookshelf in order to get a different perspective on things that I would ordinarily get in the secular echo chamber that I choose to live in. This was an interesting choice: Newt Gingrich visiting a number of Washington DC historical places of interest.
Each chapter was about a different Washington DC monument / memorial (Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, FDR, WWII, Vietnam War, etc.) or other notable locale (National Archives, Library of Congress, White House, Capitol Building, etc.). The chapters were divided in to three parts: a brief history of the location, a physical description of the location, and how the Christian god is honored at each of them. I enjoyed the short history of the places visited and his descriptions of them. I've never visited Washington DC but need to get there. This book piqued my interest. The third part of each chapter drove me bonkers, however.
Gingrich goes to great lengths to show how religion played a major role in the history of the US. I don't disagree with this assertion but I also understand the times when many of these men lived: a world with a remedial understanding of biology and cosmology. With no access to modern science or the knowledge of how things came to be most believed in the supernatural, like so many others of the times, and used a god to fill in gaps of understanding. They gave this god credit for the successes of America. This is no different than people today who feel comforted and soothed by believing that there is a supernatural entity who has a plan for you and is guiding your life with cosmic puppet strings. So yes, Newt, belief in a supernatural being was a part of America's history. But let's leave that as history and move forward.
Newt makes it clear that he does not like my ilk, the secular left, and he pulls no punches. Some of the comments get downright snarky at times. I no longer have the book with me but I remember at least two chapters which ended with "so if some secular person tells you that (insert US President name) wasn't religious, you just tell them.....". One such rebuttal stated that Thomas Jefferson let a church use a space in the Capitol building for worship. Newt also tried to rebut the belief that Jefferson was a Deist. Newt had no time for such nonsense, but fails to address the Jefferson Bible.
In the spirit of the Jefferson Bible, I could make this book a Koeppen Rediscovering God in America by eliminating all references to the divine and supernatural and it would be an interesting read for my fellow lowly secular leftists.
Each chapter was about a different Washington DC monument / memorial (Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, FDR, WWII, Vietnam War, etc.) or other notable locale (National Archives, Library of Congress, White House, Capitol Building, etc.). The chapters were divided in to three parts: a brief history of the location, a physical description of the location, and how the Christian god is honored at each of them. I enjoyed the short history of the places visited and his descriptions of them. I've never visited Washington DC but need to get there. This book piqued my interest. The third part of each chapter drove me bonkers, however.
Gingrich goes to great lengths to show how religion played a major role in the history of the US. I don't disagree with this assertion but I also understand the times when many of these men lived: a world with a remedial understanding of biology and cosmology. With no access to modern science or the knowledge of how things came to be most believed in the supernatural, like so many others of the times, and used a god to fill in gaps of understanding. They gave this god credit for the successes of America. This is no different than people today who feel comforted and soothed by believing that there is a supernatural entity who has a plan for you and is guiding your life with cosmic puppet strings. So yes, Newt, belief in a supernatural being was a part of America's history. But let's leave that as history and move forward.
Newt makes it clear that he does not like my ilk, the secular left, and he pulls no punches. Some of the comments get downright snarky at times. I no longer have the book with me but I remember at least two chapters which ended with "so if some secular person tells you that (insert US President name) wasn't religious, you just tell them.....". One such rebuttal stated that Thomas Jefferson let a church use a space in the Capitol building for worship. Newt also tried to rebut the belief that Jefferson was a Deist. Newt had no time for such nonsense, but fails to address the Jefferson Bible.
In the spirit of the Jefferson Bible, I could make this book a Koeppen Rediscovering God in America by eliminating all references to the divine and supernatural and it would be an interesting read for my fellow lowly secular leftists.
December 23, 2013
This book is a wonderful primer for those that wake up one day and find that they have been ignorant their entire life as to just how deeply ingrained religion, and specifically Christianity, was to the foundation of our nation, and the structure of our form of government.
Our modern public education (being generous here by calling it education) system has completely whitewashed any hint of religion from the history that is taught to our children. Our children no longer grow up learning about a sudden and massive storm that destroyed or crippled much of an invading British armada that was sitting off the coast of New England, and just about to bombard the undermanned, under-equipped American army. They don't grow up knowing of the literally dozens of times that George Washington testified of the hand of God intervening in our behalf, which eventually brought about the miraculous victory of this rag-tag army against the greatest military might of the day.
Instead they are taught about the "separation of church and state" a phrase and concept that exists nowhere in either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, but instead is found in an obscure letter written in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association, which feared at the time that Congress was about to establish a national religion. Jefferson assured them that such was not the case, but that single phrase has been twisted into the exact opposite of what Jefferson originally meant.
Our children are taught that Jefferson was a deist who rejected Christianity, but are never taught that he attended church in the the U.S. Capitol Building, where services were held prior to the construction of the National Cathedral. Our children are not taught that he appropriated money from Congress to be used to send missionaries out to teach Christianity to the Indians, or that he wrote the first education plan for the District of Columbia, suggesting the use of the Holy Bible and Isaac Watt's hymnal to teach children to read. And of course, it was Jefferson, writing the Declaration of Independence, who declared that all rights come not from government, but from Almighty God, the great Creator whose children we are.
If anyone doubts that Jefferson was a Christian, they have just to read his own words to find their mistake. In an 1803 letter to Benjamin Rush, Jefferson declared "My views...are the result of a life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from the anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed, opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines in preference to all others.”
There is a vast, rich history which clearly shows the deep Christian roots of our nation and government. It was not until recent decades that that history began to be erased, and our children taught the nefarious, villainous lie that our Founders wanted religion strictly prohibited from having any influence on government.
Yet is it any wonder? After all, if the anti-religious secularists can separate God from government, then they can eventually teach that our rights do not come from God after all, but from government. And if rights come from government, then they can be taken or altered by government, and thus they are not rights at all, but privileges to be granted or revoked by the whim of our government masters. All of the great socialist/communist totalitarian dictators have sought the destruction of all references to God, and the elevation of the state as god, upon taking power.
It would therefore be a travesty and a stain upon the moral founding of our nation were we to allow the liars, the usurpers, the charlatans and the statists to rewrite our history, erasing its Christian origins. And so, in closing, may I leave you with two more proofs that this separation was never intended by the Founders or subsequent generations:
"There is no disonance in these [legal] declarations…These are not individual sayings, declarations of private persons: they are organic [legal, governmental] utterances; they speak the voice of the entire people…These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation." ~ U.S. Supreme Court, 1892, unanimous ruling which declared America a Christian nation; Church of the Holy Trinity v. U.S.
"It is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty of government to foster, and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in matters of religion, and of the freedom of public worship according to the dictates of one's conscience." ~ Joseph Story (U.S. Supreme Court Justice, called the "Father of American Jurisprudence")
So thank you, Mr. Gingrich, for this excellent primer on the rich Christian symbolism found in our nation's capitol. And to the reader, I pray that this is the catalyst for an awakening in you of a desire to learn so much more about the hand of Christ in the history of this nation, and how critical He still is to our future and the fate of this republic.
Our modern public education (being generous here by calling it education) system has completely whitewashed any hint of religion from the history that is taught to our children. Our children no longer grow up learning about a sudden and massive storm that destroyed or crippled much of an invading British armada that was sitting off the coast of New England, and just about to bombard the undermanned, under-equipped American army. They don't grow up knowing of the literally dozens of times that George Washington testified of the hand of God intervening in our behalf, which eventually brought about the miraculous victory of this rag-tag army against the greatest military might of the day.
Instead they are taught about the "separation of church and state" a phrase and concept that exists nowhere in either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, but instead is found in an obscure letter written in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association, which feared at the time that Congress was about to establish a national religion. Jefferson assured them that such was not the case, but that single phrase has been twisted into the exact opposite of what Jefferson originally meant.
Our children are taught that Jefferson was a deist who rejected Christianity, but are never taught that he attended church in the the U.S. Capitol Building, where services were held prior to the construction of the National Cathedral. Our children are not taught that he appropriated money from Congress to be used to send missionaries out to teach Christianity to the Indians, or that he wrote the first education plan for the District of Columbia, suggesting the use of the Holy Bible and Isaac Watt's hymnal to teach children to read. And of course, it was Jefferson, writing the Declaration of Independence, who declared that all rights come not from government, but from Almighty God, the great Creator whose children we are.
If anyone doubts that Jefferson was a Christian, they have just to read his own words to find their mistake. In an 1803 letter to Benjamin Rush, Jefferson declared "My views...are the result of a life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from the anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed, opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines in preference to all others.”
There is a vast, rich history which clearly shows the deep Christian roots of our nation and government. It was not until recent decades that that history began to be erased, and our children taught the nefarious, villainous lie that our Founders wanted religion strictly prohibited from having any influence on government.
Yet is it any wonder? After all, if the anti-religious secularists can separate God from government, then they can eventually teach that our rights do not come from God after all, but from government. And if rights come from government, then they can be taken or altered by government, and thus they are not rights at all, but privileges to be granted or revoked by the whim of our government masters. All of the great socialist/communist totalitarian dictators have sought the destruction of all references to God, and the elevation of the state as god, upon taking power.
It would therefore be a travesty and a stain upon the moral founding of our nation were we to allow the liars, the usurpers, the charlatans and the statists to rewrite our history, erasing its Christian origins. And so, in closing, may I leave you with two more proofs that this separation was never intended by the Founders or subsequent generations:
"There is no disonance in these [legal] declarations…These are not individual sayings, declarations of private persons: they are organic [legal, governmental] utterances; they speak the voice of the entire people…These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation." ~ U.S. Supreme Court, 1892, unanimous ruling which declared America a Christian nation; Church of the Holy Trinity v. U.S.
"It is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty of government to foster, and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in matters of religion, and of the freedom of public worship according to the dictates of one's conscience." ~ Joseph Story (U.S. Supreme Court Justice, called the "Father of American Jurisprudence")
So thank you, Mr. Gingrich, for this excellent primer on the rich Christian symbolism found in our nation's capitol. And to the reader, I pray that this is the catalyst for an awakening in you of a desire to learn so much more about the hand of Christ in the history of this nation, and how critical He still is to our future and the fate of this republic.
January 30, 2011
Fantastic historical tour of the role of God in the foundation of America and how it is reflected in the various buildings, memorials, and exibits in and around our nation's Capitol city.
June 17, 2025
A good little book meant to remind the reader of the rich Christian history of the founding of America and how our nation's capital's memorials reflect that. Great to read before taking a trip to Washington D.C.
December 12, 2012
First, let's get the bad out of the way - while I like Newt Gingrich's political philosophy and am eternally grateful to him for leading the contract with America back in the '90s, I have a hard time getting over his personal history. He is now on wife #3, coincidentally a cute little blonde who takes photos. And coincidentally enough, she took the photos for this book. They're good, although honestly nothing that is any better than what I took on my 2008 trip to DC.
Also, in the introduction Newt and Callista thank ten writers, editors and researchers who "helped" with this 117-page book - I'm guessing precious little of the writing was actually done by Newt and Callista.
Having said that, the good: this book takes you on a walking tour around Washington, D.C., stopping at various buildings and monuments. You will read a brief history of the building and in most instances, quotes and examples about how God and faith related to either the building itself or the life of the person honored.
There are many good quotes in the book, and reading them reinforces to me how far we've strayed as a nation from the founders' ideals and intents:
God governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,
is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
-Benjamin Franklin
It is the duty of all nations
to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God
and to obey His will.
-George Washington
God who gave us life gave us liberty.
Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed
a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?
-Thomas Jefferson
It was interesting to note that the earlier monuments (Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, for instance) had far more references to God than do the newer ones (World War II Memorial and FDR Memorial).
I found the book interesting, and plan to read a section of it after dinner to the girls each day this spring, in preparation for a trip to DC that my daughter and I will take in June. It's a good reminder of the days when God and faith played a more integral role in our nation's life.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson's review program for the opportunity to review this book!
Also, in the introduction Newt and Callista thank ten writers, editors and researchers who "helped" with this 117-page book - I'm guessing precious little of the writing was actually done by Newt and Callista.
Having said that, the good: this book takes you on a walking tour around Washington, D.C., stopping at various buildings and monuments. You will read a brief history of the building and in most instances, quotes and examples about how God and faith related to either the building itself or the life of the person honored.
There are many good quotes in the book, and reading them reinforces to me how far we've strayed as a nation from the founders' ideals and intents:
God governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,
is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
-Benjamin Franklin
It is the duty of all nations
to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God
and to obey His will.
-George Washington
God who gave us life gave us liberty.
Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed
a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?
-Thomas Jefferson
It was interesting to note that the earlier monuments (Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, for instance) had far more references to God than do the newer ones (World War II Memorial and FDR Memorial).
I found the book interesting, and plan to read a section of it after dinner to the girls each day this spring, in preparation for a trip to DC that my daughter and I will take in June. It's a good reminder of the days when God and faith played a more integral role in our nation's life.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson's review program for the opportunity to review this book!
October 6, 2016
This should be required reading for every school aged child ten or older and any adult who has never been to D.C. I haven't and found it not only informative, but inspiring. I can only imagine a day when our precious monuments to the founding fathers are defaced or torn down. That's the direction this culture is going unless enlightenment occurs, and that will only happen by God's grace and mercy. Our public school system is failing in the basic education of our founding so it's no wonder there is the trend toward thinking we need to turn away from those founding principles and move towards tyranny. Very sad, indeed.
December 1, 2021
Former Congressman Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista take readers on a tour of Washington D.C.'s memorials, buildings, and monuments to identify elements of the Christian faith found displayed on the memorials, in the lives of individuals honored, or on artwork housed in the buildings. Those interested in Christianity's influence upon our nation and its leaders will find the book interesting. (3.5 stars)
April 28, 2010
This book written by Newt & Callista Gingrich, gives readers a “walking” tour of Washington, D.C.
This work is a good reminder of just how spiritual and God-fearing our founding fathers were. I enjoyed the quotations as well as the photographs that are a part of this book. The “tour” takes you through The National Archives, The Washington Monument, The Jefferson Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, The Capitol Building, The Supreme Court, The Library of Congress, The Ronald Reagan Building, The White House, The World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery.
I had the privilege of visiting Washington, D. C. twice as a teenager and enjoyed a refresher of what it was like to see our nation’s capitol. Unfortunately, American History is so watered down now in our schools, that it is up to *us* to teach our children why and how America was founded. There is no doubt in my mind that this country was built out of a desire to worship God freely, and this book is good evidence of the spiritual thirst of our forefathers. Although many public buildings have removed the Ten Commandments from display, it is engraved in bronze on the floor of The National Archives – a very evident reminder of the Christian beliefs that our country was founded upon. This book would make a great gift for the patriotic person on your Christmas list!
January 22, 2012
This book makes me want to book a trip to Washington D.C. and go sight-seeing. I've been to D.C., but I was a kid and don't remember much except my mom chasing after Ted Kennedy through the Rotunda of the Capitol. It's a quick and easy read and really makes you appreciate our nation's history. It's essentially a walking tour through the main national memorials and monuments that points out the presence of God and faith in our history. I especially loved the brief historical background behind each stop. The preface and conclusion offer Gingrich's opinions on the role of faith(or lack of it) in our nation.
His main points are:
1. Our Founding Fathers and major presidents throughout history were very reverent and saw that our liberty was due to the rights given to us by God.
2. The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM it.
3. We must do a better job in our schools to teach this faith-based history and restore pride and patriotism among this and the next generation.
4. A small percentage of people who find religious faith old-fashioned and uncomfortable want to ruin it for everyone by removing God from our country.
5. The Supreme Court and courts in its system have entirely too much power to change legislation.
Nothing presented in this book was ground shaking. But it made me think and comment out loud to whomever was in the room multiple times. I enjoyed the read.
His main points are:
1. Our Founding Fathers and major presidents throughout history were very reverent and saw that our liberty was due to the rights given to us by God.
2. The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM it.
3. We must do a better job in our schools to teach this faith-based history and restore pride and patriotism among this and the next generation.
4. A small percentage of people who find religious faith old-fashioned and uncomfortable want to ruin it for everyone by removing God from our country.
5. The Supreme Court and courts in its system have entirely too much power to change legislation.
Nothing presented in this book was ground shaking. But it made me think and comment out loud to whomever was in the room multiple times. I enjoyed the read.
March 24, 2011
Excellent book. I enjoyed the Authors insights and historical references about various monuments in DC.
This book should be required reading in all high schools.
It is quick read, with pictures/map at the end, and the background concerning the monuments is a treat to read.
Mr Gingrich's reason for penning the book is to show God as an important part in American Republic earlist history.
The way he does this is educational, and heartfelt at times.
Another reason is to rail against the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling that "underGod" was unconstitutional when used in the "Pledge of Allegiance".
This has been negated see below.
Wiki link:
On November 12, 2010, in a unanimous decision,[31] the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston affirmed a ruling by a New Hampshire lower federal court which found that the pledge's reference to God doesn't violate students' rights.[32]
He also states that the "media-academic-legal elite" are imposing a radically secularist vision via the Supreme Court. This is an interesting concept, is Mr. Gingrich advocating "Court stripping" Bill-H.R. 2389.
At the end Mr. Gingrich goes on to say how public dispays of religions are being attacked by the "media-academic-legal elite".
For the few times that Mr. Gingrich gets on his pulpit, I enjoyed the book.
This book should be required reading in all high schools.
It is quick read, with pictures/map at the end, and the background concerning the monuments is a treat to read.
Mr Gingrich's reason for penning the book is to show God as an important part in American Republic earlist history.
The way he does this is educational, and heartfelt at times.
Another reason is to rail against the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling that "underGod" was unconstitutional when used in the "Pledge of Allegiance".
This has been negated see below.
Wiki link:
On November 12, 2010, in a unanimous decision,[31] the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston affirmed a ruling by a New Hampshire lower federal court which found that the pledge's reference to God doesn't violate students' rights.[32]
He also states that the "media-academic-legal elite" are imposing a radically secularist vision via the Supreme Court. This is an interesting concept, is Mr. Gingrich advocating "Court stripping" Bill-H.R. 2389.
At the end Mr. Gingrich goes on to say how public dispays of religions are being attacked by the "media-academic-legal elite".
For the few times that Mr. Gingrich gets on his pulpit, I enjoyed the book.
December 19, 2009
In the era of the hard left's attempt to wipe faith and religion from the history of the United States, this is an interesting look at both the actions, statements and beliefs of not only our country's founding fathers but those of our leaders from the not-so-distant past. These men believed that faith and freedom go hand in hand, that faith is indeed essential to maintain freedom. Those who believe that the "wall of separation between church and state" of which Thomas Jefferson wrote meant that our founders believed there could be no connection between faith and government are ignoring many facts of history. There is nothing here that promotes a specific belief, nothing that advances any particular faith, just a look at the actions taken by such men as George Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln and speeches by modern presidents such as FDR and JFK.
The layout of the book is that of a walking tour of the mall area of Washington, D.C. Since I am the one of the group who is constantly left behind reading every tidbit of information posted in every museum, I would have enjoyed taking this one along when we visited D.C. last year.
The layout of the book is that of a walking tour of the mall area of Washington, D.C. Since I am the one of the group who is constantly left behind reading every tidbit of information posted in every museum, I would have enjoyed taking this one along when we visited D.C. last year.
October 21, 2019
The book, Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History and Future, by Newt Gingrich, is a review for this reader having read, listened, and viewed many books, Audiobooks, DVD's, and seminars by another American premier historian, David Barton. Newt Gingrich's account gives veracity to the claim that the United States of America is a Christian nation. It is evidenced in the written word of those who came before us and the Judao-Christian icons and symbols displayed in the architecture of our nation's most significant buildings.
The book is an easy read and the audio version is read by Newt and his wife, Callista, who narrate beautifully together. This book also offers information about various buildings, past and present, their locations, and the times they are available to the public. A trip to Washington D.C. is a more complete and fulfilling experience once armed with a copy of this book. Newt makes the inanimate come alive with his expert prose and astute intellect.
The book is an easy read and the audio version is read by Newt and his wife, Callista, who narrate beautifully together. This book also offers information about various buildings, past and present, their locations, and the times they are available to the public. A trip to Washington D.C. is a more complete and fulfilling experience once armed with a copy of this book. Newt makes the inanimate come alive with his expert prose and astute intellect.
April 20, 2017
a justice recuse self due to speech, under God, rights from God, we the people only, courts and classrooms against, Dec of Indep rights from God and Magna Carta from king, anti-Catholic know nothing party, Lincoln 2nd inaugural address, we should be on Lord’s side vs He on our side, FDR continuance of prayer Thy will be done almighty God, Hitler eliminate all religious symbols, Jefferson wall of separation, National Archives and Supreme Court with 10 Commandments, Moses Mohammed Charlemagne Confucius, 6k books from Jefferson, George Washington dismissed architect on White House, without God democracy cannot exist, TR name White House, Truman for the glory of God, WW2 sacrifice unity 17m bibles issued $180m donations $16m fed, 250k at Arlington, Praise be to God in Washington Memorial, where come from where go Angel rides in whirlwinds GW. vg
January 18, 2010
Newt accomplished what he wanted to w/ this book: demonstrating the obvious respect, reverence, and influence of God on our nation's founders. It truly is undeniably written into our country's fabric. However, I think Newt shares some viewpoints with many leaders that I find extremely inaccurate: an allegiance "to God and country." As blessed as I feel to live in this wonderful country, the USA is not a "new Israel." Many Scriptures that get used are wielded completely out of context, and we often forget that our founding fathers' "God-given right to freedom" was attained by taking away that very freedom from those who resided in this land before them. Christianity cannot co-exist with empire, nor is the Gospel spread through the use of political or military might.
May 21, 2014
Newt's book is based on a walking tour of some of the most significant monuments in Washington, D.C. It is an interesting read because it lists many interesting historical details about the monuments and why they are important to America. He leads the reader on quests for further research into the monuments and how they impacted the country from the time they were built through the present.
The book has a slight religious slant to it which can be a turn off. Newt makes many good arguments about religions place in the founding and building of the nation and why it is important to continue to recognize these ideologies. This book reaches a wide audience and the non-religious can skip the religious tones to learn about the history and enjoy the book as well.
The book has a slight religious slant to it which can be a turn off. Newt makes many good arguments about religions place in the founding and building of the nation and why it is important to continue to recognize these ideologies. This book reaches a wide audience and the non-religious can skip the religious tones to learn about the history and enjoy the book as well.
November 18, 2014
Rediscovering God alternates between a tour guidebook of all the monuments and buildings in Washington DC that have a mention or background of God in its conception; and making a blanket argument against those who would attempt to remove mention of God or religion in government. It does the former well and provides a nice historical context of each monument and how each is imbued with religious symbolism, but the latter feels out of place and sometimes intrusive. The argument laid primarily addresses the removal of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, but relies on a stare decisis argument that since the mention of God has precedent (and thus the tour guide), it must remain so.
March 10, 2017
A concise history of the influences of religious faith upon our nation. In this book, Gingrich takes us on a tour of our nation's capital and shows the many examples of embedded faith in the monuments, memorials, and Federal buildings of Washington DC, providing the reader with detailed information about the construction of each place. Gingrich also provides various quotes of faith from the nation's presidents, and examples of how faith in God impacted American history.
October 13, 2008
Since Ihave been to DC a few times it made me want to look harder at some of the monuments I have visited and to return to DC to visit some of the monuments. Second it solidified my views that the liberal left is taking us farther and farther away for the intended path or our forefathers. I would probably pick up more Gingrich books..
August 12, 2009
An interesting take on why America was founded on "Christian values." The thesis of the book is that our freedoms come from God and not from the government (true), and that the current move to totally secularize America goes against the founding principles of the nation. However, the book does not address the Christian-Right's agenda to make America some sort of theocracy.
January 8, 2010
The former Speaker of the House takes us on a walking tour of the nation's capital. Pointing out numerous references to God by the founding fathers as presented in the various important buildings in Washington.
It's a unique way to show that our current secular, God-free, society isn't what the founders had in mind at all.
A good, quick read.
It's a unique way to show that our current secular, God-free, society isn't what the founders had in mind at all.
A good, quick read.
April 28, 2011
As someone who enjoys history, loves America and lived in the DC area for more than 15 years it was neat to read about all the places that I saw constantly and sort of took for granted because they were often right in front of me. Pretty cool to see how faith is truly woven into the history of our country no matter how hard some would try to dispute it. Newt does great work as usual.
May 23, 2011
The author takes you on a tour around Washington D.C. to many of our country's historic buildings and sites. He gives a brief history of the site, some religious references at the location, and history of the person(s) that it memorializes, if applicable.
I enjoyed the book. many great inside tips of the locations.
I enjoyed the book. many great inside tips of the locations.
April 16, 2012
Very good look at the role of faith in our country - and the role it had in the lives of our country's founders. It's freedom OF religion (you can choose whichever one you want - or not choose any at all - it's up to you) not freedom FROM religion (no one can speak of morality or religious beliefs in a public forum). I definitely recommend the book.
January 18, 2016
Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, provides a walking tour through the nation's capital and reminds us that our founding fathers were not enlightened, secularists, but were enlightened men of faith. Exploring the monuments and memorials of our nation, Gingrich offers a refreshing reflection on the role of faith in America's history ... and future.
May 29, 2017
I received this book as a First Read. It should more accurately be called Rediscovering God in Washington DC. It pairs photos of national monuments with text about the history of the monument and how it incorporates or showcases God usually through text on or around the monument. The pictures are nice and the book is informative. It's not the most thrilling read but works as a coffee table book.
January 6, 2019
This is one of my favorite books to date. A great balance between historical information and opinion. The author was able to take the reader on a journey of our nation's capital, in a way that they may never have experienced on their own. It describes the importance of God in America, both then and now. I recommend this book to anyone who is debating the relevance of God in our constitution.
July 31, 2008
This was a fun book that guides the reader on a tour of the different monuments of Washington DC. The author highlights the references to God and encourages modern Americans to keep that connection alive. Great read.
January 12, 2009
My interest in this book was my growing faith and the faith of our Founding Fathers. We were founded by Christian men with core values and beliefs. Left me more frustrated by where the left and the 4th estate have taken this country.
October 6, 2011
Really enjoyed this book - learned more than I had expected to. One thing Gingrich does in this book is take you on a sort of tour of many sites and monuments in D.C. and point out the inscriptions which include God.
October 15, 2011
All of us Americans should read this book. It reminds us of our Godly heritage and how our founding fathers and presidents honored God. None of this liberal keeping God out of things, prayer is the foundation of our nation.
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