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A Patriot's Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love
Now available in paperback, the New York Times bestseller. When John F. Kennedy called America "the land we love" more than 42 years ago, he was reminding us of the lofty ideals on which our country was founded. But what are those ideals, and how have Americans defined them Is America the land of George Washington and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who rallied the country's spirits for unity in wartime, or is it a land of dissent, a land in which Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Martin Luther King, Jr. remind us of our duty to protect our most fundamental freedoms? Are we defined by the speeches of Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan or by the humor of H.L. Mencken and Mark Twain? Caroline Kennedy's answer in A Patriot's Handbook is that we are all of those things and more. The poems, songs, speeches, letters, and historical documents that Caroline Kennedy has chosen for this remarkable collection remind us of the foundations on which America was built. But they also ask us to examine what it truly means to be a "patriot," even if our assumptions are challenged along the way, because it is only by doing so that America can "truly be our own." Voices as diverse as the nation itself:
Thomas Jefferson Cole Porter Chief Red Jacket Amy Tan Betty Friedan Albert Einstein George W. Bush Loretta Lynn John F. Kennedy Martin Luther King, Jr. Bob Dylan Cesar Chavez Toni Morrison Groucho Marx and many more
Thomas Jefferson Cole Porter Chief Red Jacket Amy Tan Betty Friedan Albert Einstein George W. Bush Loretta Lynn John F. Kennedy Martin Luther King, Jr. Bob Dylan Cesar Chavez Toni Morrison Groucho Marx and many more
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Caroline Kennedy
40 books157 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy is an American author and attorney. She is the daughter and only surviving child of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. An older sister, Arabella, died shortly after her birth in 1956. Brother John F. Kennedy, Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999. Another brother, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy died two days after his birth in 1963.
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy is an American author and attorney. She is the daughter and only surviving child of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. An older sister, Arabella, died shortly after her birth in 1956. Brother John F. Kennedy, Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999. Another brother, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy died two days after his birth in 1963.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 23, 2010
A Patriot's Handbook: Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love. Selected and Introduced by Caroline Kennedy.
This is a 600+ page book. One of those books, in my opinion, that you pick up and read for a while, then think about what you have read for days to come afterwards.
It is a joy to read albeit some of the stories and speeches are not easy to take i.e freedom, slavery and the plight of women. But they are enlightening just the same.
I am nowhere near finished reading this book and in this case that is a good thing since I am enjoying almost every single page.
A nice winter read due the size of the book but a must read just at any time of the year.
This is a 600+ page book. One of those books, in my opinion, that you pick up and read for a while, then think about what you have read for days to come afterwards.
It is a joy to read albeit some of the stories and speeches are not easy to take i.e freedom, slavery and the plight of women. But they are enlightening just the same.
I am nowhere near finished reading this book and in this case that is a good thing since I am enjoying almost every single page.
A nice winter read due the size of the book but a must read just at any time of the year.
April 22, 2017
Anyone who loves our Country and all the little things that make it such a great place to be, will really enjoy Caroline Kennedy's well thought out gathering of songs, salutes, poems, stories, great books and wonderful pictures all related to the history of our Nation.
May 4, 2021
With my education and history background I really liked this book. It is a short study in Americana and how we looked at ourselves and how others have expressed their impressions at various times or on certain topics. Each presentation is preceded by a short bio of the author and or the setting for the material. Many little facts that I did not know or did not fully remember were presented.
Many of the longer speeches or political material have been covered in my studies or for the more recent ones by the media. Some are shown in full and others as partial records to show the relevance to the category the author is showing. Some writings are by people since disgraced by their actions but for the category and time period they had a strong impact.
Lots of poems are presented. I find that some do not make much sense or have no appeal. Like many art and literature forms, poetry for me has not been a primary read and not popular.
Songs are presented. And many, like the National Anthem are longer than what we normally sing or are presented at events.
Our Pledge of Allegiance was altered during the cold war 'red scares' by adding 'under God'. In 2002 these words were declared unconstitutional. I have yet to find if that was upheld. That is a part of this book which I find very interesting since with the modern research engines we can more easily check many points covered here
Many of the longer speeches or political material have been covered in my studies or for the more recent ones by the media. Some are shown in full and others as partial records to show the relevance to the category the author is showing. Some writings are by people since disgraced by their actions but for the category and time period they had a strong impact.
Lots of poems are presented. I find that some do not make much sense or have no appeal. Like many art and literature forms, poetry for me has not been a primary read and not popular.
Songs are presented. And many, like the National Anthem are longer than what we normally sing or are presented at events.
Our Pledge of Allegiance was altered during the cold war 'red scares' by adding 'under God'. In 2002 these words were declared unconstitutional. I have yet to find if that was upheld. That is a part of this book which I find very interesting since with the modern research engines we can more easily check many points covered here
March 20, 2019
A PATRIOT'S HANDBOOK: SONGS, POEMS, STORIES, AND SPEECHES CELEBRATING THE LAND WE LOVE, selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy (Hyperion, 2003) is a large (688 pages) collection of mostly excerpts of 212 important historical works: presidential inaugural speeches, Supreme Court decisions, historical documents, songs, poems, essays, works of fiction and nonfiction, and more from throughout the history of our nation. Having so much history in one volume reminds me that there is so much of my own heritage that I have never read or been exposed to, while it was wonderful to read once again some of the touchstones of American history and culture: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Mayflower Compact, Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Huckleberry Finn, Moby Dick, Roe vs. Wade, Brown vs. The Board of Education, Bush vs. Gore, Gettysburg Address, Walden, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Frost, Bob Dylan, so many more. This is probably not a book to be read cover-to-cover, but with a preliminary skim, returning to items that stand out, then later others. It is a glorious celebration of America and the foundations on which it was built. However you define "patriot," this is a book for every patriot. Five out of five stars.
November 4, 2024
This is a book that will not be read in one setting; in fact, I may not finish reading and pondering over its many articles for several more months. But, from what I have digested so far, Caroline Kennedy has complied a very diverse selection of speeches, songs, poems and stories from the 1600's through the late 20th century. It contains visions of America from common men to statesmen, songs from many composers highlighting their hopes and dreams for America, Supreme Court cases highlighting our struggle to insure justice for all Americans, and the U.S. Constitution. It is a grand book, a handbook for every American patriot or citizen that wants to know how America was formed and is evolving. Thank you Caroline!
May 29, 2017
I've been reading this compendium on and off for more than 10 years. It is essential reading for all Americans and contains everything from the Constitution to MLK's "I have a dream" speech, to poems by Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, to monumental court cases and poignant political speeches. Many of the sentiments in these documents, literature, and poems still ring true today.
August 1, 2020
There's some good stuff in this book and some very meh stuff. It was a good book to pickup and read a little here and there. It's a very interesting mix of speeches, poems, songs, and pieces of classic literature. The short items are in whole here but the literature is pieces so it's not that helpful. Anyway, it was a nice flip through over a course of a few weeks before sleep.
August 15, 2021
Caroline Kennedy once again proves herself a master anthologist. This collection might be called indispensable to anyone looking for a primer on the United States. With very rare exceptions, the pieces collected here remain relevant and timely.
July 2, 2024
I appreciate this book & enjoy opening it to read a bit here & there- I haven't read it cover to cover- & in my opinion, it is meant to be read as I am reading it. All the patriotic stories, songs & speeches you'd expect as symbolic of America, and many more.
April 25, 2018
Patriotic speeches by history's greatest americans
July 28, 2018
Every home should have a copy of this book.
July 4, 2023
Fun (and thorough) 4th of July reading!
April 2, 2025
Two speeches stood out - Judge Learned Hand’s address on I am an American Day in Central Park on 5/21/1944. And Senator Mary Chase Smith’s Declaration of Conscience speech, 6/1/1950, in the senate.
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November 20, 2016Citation by: M. Powell
Citation: Kennedy, C. (2003). A patriot's handbook: Songs, poems, stories, and speeches celebrating the land we love. New York: Hyperion.
Reference Type: Handbook
Call Number: 808.8
Professional Review: Hooper, B. (2003). A Patriot's Handbook (Book). Booklist, 99(13), 1106
Content Scope: The work covers poems, songs, speeches, etc. dealing with the flag, equality, freedom, etc. It covers a wide variety of authors spanning from Francis Scott Key to Bob Dylan.
Accuracy, Authority, Bias: The main focus of the works are America and they are chosen by the author because they celebrate America.
Arrangement and Presentation: The work is divided into chapters by theme. A chapter may cover equality and the works in that chapter would deal with that subject.
Relation to Similar Works: There is no truly similar work to this. The contents of this work would be found in numerous others books in the collection. This work fits with several topics including history, American history, American literature, etc.
Timeliness and Permanence: The book covers historical works so the book would be relevant for many years.
Accessibility/Diversity: There are a wide variety of authors in the book from different races and time periods. There view of America will be influenced by what they have experienced.
Citation: Kennedy, C. (2003). A patriot's handbook: Songs, poems, stories, and speeches celebrating the land we love. New York: Hyperion.
Reference Type: Handbook
Call Number: 808.8
Professional Review: Hooper, B. (2003). A Patriot's Handbook (Book). Booklist, 99(13), 1106
Content Scope: The work covers poems, songs, speeches, etc. dealing with the flag, equality, freedom, etc. It covers a wide variety of authors spanning from Francis Scott Key to Bob Dylan.
Accuracy, Authority, Bias: The main focus of the works are America and they are chosen by the author because they celebrate America.
Arrangement and Presentation: The work is divided into chapters by theme. A chapter may cover equality and the works in that chapter would deal with that subject.
Relation to Similar Works: There is no truly similar work to this. The contents of this work would be found in numerous others books in the collection. This work fits with several topics including history, American history, American literature, etc.
Timeliness and Permanence: The book covers historical works so the book would be relevant for many years.
Accessibility/Diversity: There are a wide variety of authors in the book from different races and time periods. There view of America will be influenced by what they have experienced.
July 13, 2010
I am not a fan of the Kennedys, but I actually liked Caroline's intro, and the bulk of the book consists of actual "poems, stories and speeches celebrating the land we love". We are listening to this on cd-it is great!!! Archival recordings of wonderful historic speeches as well as selections read by those such as James Earl Jones, Martha Plimpton and John McCain. I bought it new, from a private vendor on Amazon for less than 6 bucks INCLUDING shipping. It is perfect for getting us into the spirit to celebrate Independence Day.
Will update once we get through all 3 cds--so far we are loving it---and I would recommend the cd's because it is cool to hear some speeches given by the author's themselves, as well as the nice readings included by actors.
UPDATE: I think the collection found on these cd's would be more appropriately titled "A Collage of America" (as Kennedy describes her book in the intro) rather than A Patriot's Handbook. Nonetheless, it is a great little collection with landmarks in American history captured in one spot. It was fun to play different clips and talk about them with Heidi. About why they were important, or what was happening during the time. I'm sure I will use this again in the future.
Will update once we get through all 3 cds--so far we are loving it---and I would recommend the cd's because it is cool to hear some speeches given by the author's themselves, as well as the nice readings included by actors.
UPDATE: I think the collection found on these cd's would be more appropriately titled "A Collage of America" (as Kennedy describes her book in the intro) rather than A Patriot's Handbook. Nonetheless, it is a great little collection with landmarks in American history captured in one spot. It was fun to play different clips and talk about them with Heidi. About why they were important, or what was happening during the time. I'm sure I will use this again in the future.
November 27, 2010
LOVE this book and the whole idea of it. Borrowed it from a friend just to read a few lines here and there and ended up spending the better part of a Saturday just reading the whole dang thing! Caroline Kennedy hand selected the best of the best events, stories, poems and passages having to do with America and freedom and put them all in one great book. Brilliant idea! I love the way she categorizes the passages and adds her own introduction to each of them. It is a book I always want to have on my shelf to share with my kids and feel of its inspiration.
July 21, 2013
If you are a patriot of the U.S.A. this is the book for you! I love my country and really enjoy reading the stories, poems and speeches collected by Caroline Kenney for this book. Ms. Kennedy's recollections of why these selections are included in the book are excellent and moving. On special holidays I read the applicable story, speech and/or poem to "celebrate" or "recognize" the special day. It would be an enriching book for an English teacher, History teacher, Government teacher or any teacher for that matter to use in a class.
December 7, 2015
This book was written because she felt the term 'Patriotic Act' (laws that were created post 9/11) was improperly used, and kept people from voting against the act, because they were worried they would not be viewed as a 'patriot'.
Regardless of a Kennedy's political viewpoint, this is a great book - filled with stories I never knew of, and I considered myself as a strong American historian.
I would like to recommend to Caroline that she continue to create these types of books - where so many people can learn, and stop editing books which are compilations of her mother's favorite poems.
Regardless of a Kennedy's political viewpoint, this is a great book - filled with stories I never knew of, and I considered myself as a strong American historian.
I would like to recommend to Caroline that she continue to create these types of books - where so many people can learn, and stop editing books which are compilations of her mother's favorite poems.
June 29, 2008
A fantastic collection of poems, songs and speeches that help define what America is all about. The selections are so diverse. Having the Bill of Rights and songs by Bruce Springsteen in the same collection seems strange but both so clearly reflect America. Every time I pick it up I find a new favorite.
Caroline Kennedy is a personal hero of mine and this collection is one reason why.
Caroline Kennedy is a personal hero of mine and this collection is one reason why.
July 7, 2011
This is one of those "every family should have it" books. Mine is actually autographed by Caroline Kennedy!! Filled with an assortment of poems, speeches, and more about our nation's heritage. Rich, rich, rich! I've owned it for years and occasionally (usually 4th of July) I take it off the shelf to find a few different essays or poems to read.
October 15, 2015
Pretty cool collection of poems, stories, and speeches. I only read it for the Frontier Thesis by Fredrick Jackson Turner, but I enjoyed most of the rest too, especially because you got the read the entirety of famous poems and speeches. You got a lot more context than just reading the famous soundbite.
July 26, 2008
I was a little skeptical of this book because it was compiled by Caroline Kennedy but it is a great resource book. For the ones that were put on the Cd only 2 of them irritated me. Otherwise, it is a great collection of Patriotic works.
January 5, 2011
This is an excellent collection of quotes, songs, poems, speeches that are the stuff that make us proud to be Americans. It is a joy to read through casually, as it allows me to be reminded that I am indeed lucky to live here in the U.S.
September 17, 2007
If you like American history this is definitely a book you would like to read. It's full of all of the stories, poems, documents and songs we've all heard of over the years.
January 10, 2008
Excellent resource for teachers from "Sweet Caroline." (Did anyone else find that Neil Diamond admission to be creepy?)
February 24, 2008
I don't care for the Kennedy's but this book is full of anything to do with our courntry. Full of Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches. Great book!
September 15, 2008
An excellent reference book of all things American. Songs, famous speeches, quotes, etc. from presidents of the USA and Americans. Very patriotic and inspiring. Beautiful book.
April 24, 2009
Inspiring.
May 6, 2009
So many ways to learn about our country here - the best compilation of words about our democracy and how we should protect it. We gave this book to all of my sisters' families one Christmas.
May 23, 2010
One of those "open it to any page and find something good" books. Highly recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews