The Real America: Messages from the Heart and Heartland

by Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck has entertained, inspired, and informed millions with his self-effacing humor, heartfelt conviction, and down-to-earth approach to life. And in The Real America , a powerful collection of his early writings, he calls it as he sees it, cutting through the fog of those who have made it their mission to underestimate -- and undermine -- the greatness of America and the power of "We the People." Whether the topic is family, religion, personal responsibility, rampant political correctness, presidential elections, or out-of-control celebrities, Glenn Beck rails against the forces that keep us from uniting and fulfilling our potential and explains how to overcome them. His compelling, patriotic, and spiritually driven message will inspire you to connect with your own power and help lead us back to that place that is quickly being forgotten... THE REAL AMERICA .

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Christian, American

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Glenn Edward Lee Beck is one of America's leading radio and television personalities. His quick wit, candid opinions and engaging personality have made The Glenn Beck Program the third highest rated radio program in America and Glenn Beck, one of the most successful new shows on the Fox News Channel. His unique blend of modern-day storytelling and insightful views on current events allowed him to achieve the extraordinary feat of having #1 New York Times bestsellers in both fiction and non-fiction. Beck also stars in a live stage show and is the publisher of Fusion magazine.

Online, he is the editor of GlennBeck.com and the publisher of TheBlaze.com.

Beck is the author of six consecutive #1 New York Times Bestsellers including his latest book, the thriller The Overton Window. When The Christmas Sweater, his first novel, debuted at #1 on the fiction list, Beck became one of a handful of authors to write books that reached #1 on both the fiction and non-fiction NYT lists.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful! Glenn just hits the nail on the head for so many different topics. What he brings to the table just MAKES SENSE. Why can't our country's leaders just make sense? I think this book is SO much better than his new 2007 one. I especially loved his thoughts on the Church and his conversion story at the end of the book. A must read!

[Kirt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Glen Beck, you will REALLY love this audio book. If you absolutely loath him, well... give it 30 minutes and see if you aren't ready to cut him some slack. I don't always enjoy his radio rants -- sometimes a little edgy and often pretty wacky -- but I have always appreciated him as an intelligent and entertainingly articulate conservative spokesman. More often than not, I side with his views. In this little book, I sensed a man with out guile who IS what he says he is. Is he a "sick, twisted freak"? Maybe. But he is the kind of freak that fully confesses what he was, decided to change, and demonstrated profound courage and discipline in transforming himself. So Beck regales us with stories illustrating what was so good about America, how it is being taken from us, and what it will take to restore it. At the same time, I couldn't help being impressed with the great American journey of his own personal transformation. Hate him if you will, but after hearing it through to the last CD, I doubt any discerning critic will deny that Glenn Beck, rough edges and all, is no phoney. Yes, he is an entertainer, but this one happens to be sincere, honest, and devout. If he's a hypocrit, Beck will be the first one to announce it. And I don't think I would have been so impressed if I had just read the printed page. Hearing his thoughts and stories in his own voice is what earned it five stars.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gold, circumstance, and mud. It’s all here, in Glenn Beck’s first book. Let’s start at the bottom, with the mud. He thinks everything should be “made in America,” but why? Millions of Chinese are living better because they can work in factories instead of carrying buckets on their shoulders, and we‘re living better because products are cheaper. How is that unpatriotic? Next, circumstance. Glenn Beck’s prose is pretty ordinary. Being a success on the radio doesn’t make you a writer. But now for the gold: the story of his conversion to the LDS church, in the last two chapters, is worth reading again and again. I guess Glenn Beck is something of a “writer” after all.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy read that makes a lot of issues, some dated and others still relevant today, fun to read about and really suggests more of an attitude we should keep than hammering political feelings at you. The only things that kept me from 5 stars were the chapters on politics and tolerance. I get what he was trying to do with the politics chapter but it could have been scrapped and wed have been just as good. The chapter on tolerance starts very strange but I'll admit it does redeem itself by the end. I will certainly be reading more of Beck's stuff and definitely stuff published with more modern subject matter. Love him or hate him he does present a pretty fair approach to this book.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could. It was at times funny, heart breaking, and real. At other times it was crass, commercial, and incomprehensible. But over all, I liked it.

This book seems to be a series of rants, and opinions, autobiographical stories, and a search for G-d. Most of these stories are good and even inspiring.

Any modesty issues? I think Glenn uses 1 vulgar word. As I recall he was quoting himself at a bad time of his life, or he was quoting someone else. I give him a pass. Your mileage may vary.

I'd read this book again.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little one sided, even for my conservative views but full of inspiring stories, with uplifting and encouraging ideas to actually do something with.
He presents four steps to change:
1. You must want it.
2. You must believe it.
3. You must live it.
4. You will become it.

It's also a little dated now, but the principles of living a good life as individuals that will change America is still true.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Glenn was funny in parts of this book. He has a great personality. I found it interesting that some of the politics back when this book was written almost 20 years ago are still the same issues today. It is very sad if you think about it. Politics have not improved in 20 years.

[Tim Dorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glenn Beck's book was a candid look at his political, intellectual, moral and religious views. I found the book to be candid and forthright about Glenn Beck's vision for America. He spoke about family values, cutting down on political and societal corruption and also a lot about his upbringing. This was my favorite part of the book. There was a lot of stories about his father and mother and growing up. He also spoke extensively about his ups and downs both personally and professionaly of which he had many. He was very candid and vulnerable about his struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction. Beck than launched into his long thought out and sincere conversion to Mormonism. He gave many examples of Mormons "showing up" at key times in his life. Eventually he converted after becoming convinced that Mormon theology and worldview made the most sense to him. As a non Mormon and someone who see's Mormonism as a deception I took a dim view of this part of the book. I guess the reason I only gave it 2 stars is because I don't think in the kind of book he wrote he should have made it a platform for his religious values and persuasions. I would have felt the same way about it if the person talked about converting to Christianity. The conversion story seemed out of place. I also did not care much for Becks over goofiness. A couple of times impersonating someone or making a funny voice is fine but if you do it 50 times in the same audio book it gets rather annotying. I also think that Beck has an anti-formal and fast way of speaking that is also something of a drag. I hope that Beck comes to the true Religion of Christianity but I also appreciate that he has ratained many of those middle American real values that most of us hold.

[Doran Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop laughing, already. So, when I ordered something like six copies of "An Inconvenient Book," I went ahead and bought a copy of Glenn's previous book, "The Real America," which was written before I became turned on... uhm... exposed to Glenn (2003).

The Real America I enjoyed "The Real America" more than "An Inconvenient Book" because it's more about values and contains more personal history from Glenn about his battle to overcome alcoholism, his conversion to a member of the LDS church, meeting his now-wife Tania, and finding success in the world of talk radio.

There were parts of "The Real America" that made me put the book down and say "Wow," to myself.

A recurring topic with Glenn is "pivot points" -- significant events in a person's life at which things change. Glenn characterizes these moments as so memorable you can remember the song that was playing on the radio, or the pattern on the wallpaper in the room. This book gives you a unique insight into Glenn's personal pivot points and how he has been able to use these to make himself into a better person.

So, a little less humor and a lot more heart.

[Jeff Stockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This might be my favorite of Glenn Beck's books that I've read so far. It's all about what he terms "The Real America". It's about an America where we take care of each other and we're not selfish. It's about an America that we don't idolize celebrities just because they're in movies. It's about an America where we have faith in God more than faith in government.

I want to live in the Real America that Glenn describes. I feel like my local community is that America, but sometimes I think we've lost sight of that as a nation.

Glenn still peppers it with his sarcasm. But it was enough to make it humorous without getting in the way of his message.

In the end he even shares part of his conversion story to the LDS church. I think it tied in well with his message about the Real America. In the Real America everyone has true faith and they respect each other's beliefs.

All in all, I really liked it. It felt less political than his other books, because it was all about principles. I'm a fan.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a nonfiction book about America and what is going on in our country politically, this was a very fast and entertaining read! Glenn Beck is humorous and very sarcastic, which I love! He calls it like it is and owns up to his own mistakes and junk too. A very authentic and real person, which is so unusual to find these days.

The topics he discusses are well researched and backed up with solid facts. The most interesting thing about reading this book in 2009 is that he wrote it 4-5 years ago and many things he cautions against or predicted, have actually happened. We are going down the road he predicts and heading farther away from the "Real America".

Be aware that Glenn Beck is not a Democrat or a Republican. He's more middle of the road, Libertarian with a conservative bent. But the beauty is that he calls things on every side.

Great read! Check it out!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 2003, and is in some ways a little dated politically, but the principles still apply. Glenn Beck is both humorous and annoying, spiritual and irreverent, serious and nonsensical. But he does make you think about things. He is not a republican or a democrat but always a conservative politically. Most of the time I agree with what he is saying, but you have to wade through the silliness to get to it. That is what makes him good on the radio, like he says, sometimes you have to fill the air space. I recommend this book.

[Kate N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not necessarily a fan of his talk-radio show, but this book was MUCH better. I appreciate his research on topics, his willingness to say "yep, I use to be this way, but that's not me anymore." He used to be an egotistical drunk, hit rock bottom, and decided to change his life.
I LOVE his approach on personal responsibility! If the world would simple own up to their own actions, so many problems would fix themselves. Just have some integrity, for pete's sake.
He really hits the nail on the head.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know next to nothing about conservative thought and are looking for a place to begin, this would do the trick nicely. Most readers, though, will probably view Beck's arguments here as being altogether too obvious and simple. It's not a very intellectual book, but it did inspire me to envision a more positive outlook for America's future. A lot of the book is autobiographical, and it retains a certain whimsical flavor that makes it a bit sappy at times. A very forgettable effort, but not an unpleasant one.

[Wendi Lau]

I have never listened to him on the radio but started reading this book because of The Overton Window. He has a lot of salient points about the direction of the country and our tendency to want to blame others for our actions.

Liking this book a lot more than one I tried by Michael Savage. That man was just full of hate and anger. I told my husband I did not think he should listen to him on the radio any more either. He said some true things but his words in the book were just so full of negativity without suggesting a better way.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this I recommitted myself to being the kind of neighbor and friend I always hope to find. This was a push to organize a block party and get to know my neighbors better. I enjoyed the background info. Beck shares about his conversion to the gospel. Does seem a little random / not the most put together thoughts, but this is Beck's style.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written in the blunt style that is Glenn Beck's specialty. He is funny, candid, and straightforward in addressing problems that are keeping America from becoming a truly great nation. Many of these problems are things you and I can address by being better people. I think it is worth a read, even if you aren't a fan. We can all work together to make our nation a better place to live.

[Erica Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Got me thinking on a lot of things. I agree with him on most of what he says. I like his style, although definitely different than what I'm used to. I liked how he brought the huge, complex concepts and issues of the Middle East down to my level and used analogies so I could understand it a bit better. He's definitely a naturally intelligent guy.

[Sheree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I felt about Glenn Beck when I started reading this book, but by the end, I decided that even though I may not like his brash approach to certain topics, the words he speaks are true. This book was written in 2003, so politically it is very outdated, but I found it very interesting and it inspired me to do my part to become "a real American".

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, introduction to Glenn. It's been a few years since I read it so I don't remember that much about it, though, but I love his conversion story and how much effort he put into finding the true gospel.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can't remember if I read this in 2007 or earlier. I do remember that it was a good read, however. Just as its title indicates it's full of stories from real Americans, stories from the heartland. Good stuff.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last two chapters of his book were excellent. The chapter on the middle east was great the rest kind of rambles on. He lays his heart out in parts of the book. In other parts his radio show is better. I still want to give it a high rating because of his conversion story.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked his ideas about what the real America should be, and isn't, today. I enjoyed the story of his conversion to the LDS church. He has contempt for the fake ideas of political correctness that are forced on us.

[Nanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Glenn Beck boldly speaks out and uses much humor. I think his book spends too much time telling why he's Morman, though. Overall, he gave me much to think about and reaffirmed many principles of capitalism.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

GB really is a fun read in what ever book he writes. However, while I liked this book, the parts that I throughly read, I find that most political books usually have the same theme which makes them a quick read. This was no exception. But The Christmas Sweater WAS NOT like this.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this guy is down to earth and calls poeple out on their bs.. time to shape up america! " why do we need warnings on snow blowers to not take them on your house roof" or "do not eat the packing peanuts in a fedex box" our grandparents didnt need these warning labels.

[Rebecca King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just cracking it open - was lent to me by an older gentleman who thought I might enjoy it. We'll find out shortly!

LOVED some of the chapters. Was bored in others. Generally I would highly recommend it, though. Refreshing, easy read of some worth-hearing opinions!

[Maureen]

If you are a Glenn Beck junkie then this is a must read of all his books. He is just so spot-on with what he writes and talks about. Depending on your mind set this is one I would say should top your list.

[Colleen]

Before Reading: I found this book in my dad's collection. I'm not a fan of Mr. Beck (frankly, I find him annoying and a bit stupid), but I figure I'll give him a chance with one of his books. Plus, it doesn't hurt to know your enemy.

[Caroline Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book promoting the ideals and moral fiber our country needs and can, return to. easy and enjoyable, I looked forward to reading it each day. I listened to an unedited, audible version checked out from my library..