What do you think?
Rate this book
The Patriot's Handbook: A Citizenship Primer for a New Generation of Americans
British philosopher G. K. Chesterton once quipped that America is the only nation ever founded on a creed. While other nations find their identity in geography, culture, ideology, or ethnic origin, America was founded on certain ideas about freedom, human dignity, and social responsibility.
Early in the nineteenth century, American educators began to realize that if this great experiment in liberty was to be maintained, then an informed patriotism would have to be instilled in the young. The ideals that produced the nation needed to pass from one generation to the next; thus, these educators presented rising new citizens with a small handbook containing the essential elements of the American creed.
The Patriot's Handbook is a twenty-first century version of that tradition. A concise introduction to the ideas, events, and personalities of American freedom, it is a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to understand the nation's identity as it has developed from its founding until now. Included are key
Early in the nineteenth century, American educators began to realize that if this great experiment in liberty was to be maintained, then an informed patriotism would have to be instilled in the young. The ideals that produced the nation needed to pass from one generation to the next; thus, these educators presented rising new citizens with a small handbook containing the essential elements of the American creed.
The Patriot's Handbook is a twenty-first century version of that tradition. A concise introduction to the ideas, events, and personalities of American freedom, it is a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to understand the nation's identity as it has developed from its founding until now. Included are key
480 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1941
30 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
George Grant
192 books210 followersDr. George Grant is an evangelical educator recognized by a Tennessee newspaper “Review Appeal” as the one who “lives and breathes” education.
Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.
He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.
Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.
Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.
He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.
Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Read
December 13, 2009This book was sooooooo BORING!.....sorry Mr. Grant.
I read it when I couldn't sleep..after that I fell asleep within seconds.....lol
I read it when I couldn't sleep..after that I fell asleep within seconds.....lol
August 31, 2020
An excellent compilation of prominent American works. If you would like hard copies of America's most important documents along with beautiful poetry, songs, and essays, this is a great book for that. I imagine it would also make a nice gift!
September 15, 2025
Rec by Eagles-PS 9.14.25
May 21, 2014
It's hard to be excessively great or terrible when compiling essays on American history. Primary source essays and speeches are useful for many purposes, research being just one. But they can go further than that. If compiled properly, primary sources can paint a picture of history. There are many books that appear as a grab-bag of essays and speeches with no apparent rhyme or reason.
This book, edited by George Grant, is no such grab-bag. It combines poems, essays, speeches, and quotes from Americans throughout our history. These writings give a primer on the meaning of American culture. It's not as much about agreeing or disagreeing with the essays but about helping us to understand what makes the United States what she is. It begins with Columbus and the Mayflower Compact and ends with President George W. Bush's speech on September 11. Along the way we find poems like "Paul Revere's Ride, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and "Stonewall Jackson's Way," by John Williamson Palmer. We can read "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Pearl Harbor Address given by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Some would find this volume too hearty and war-glorifying but even so, you can't understand America without knowing the reasons she gave for acting as she did. I would have liked to read more sources from the "lost cause" file, like the America First document or something from the Copperheads (Northern Democrats who opposed the War Between the States), but that's what research is for. For those who would want to understand American history from the inside, this is a good place to start.
This book, edited by George Grant, is no such grab-bag. It combines poems, essays, speeches, and quotes from Americans throughout our history. These writings give a primer on the meaning of American culture. It's not as much about agreeing or disagreeing with the essays but about helping us to understand what makes the United States what she is. It begins with Columbus and the Mayflower Compact and ends with President George W. Bush's speech on September 11. Along the way we find poems like "Paul Revere's Ride, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and "Stonewall Jackson's Way," by John Williamson Palmer. We can read "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Pearl Harbor Address given by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Some would find this volume too hearty and war-glorifying but even so, you can't understand America without knowing the reasons she gave for acting as she did. I would have liked to read more sources from the "lost cause" file, like the America First document or something from the Copperheads (Northern Democrats who opposed the War Between the States), but that's what research is for. For those who would want to understand American history from the inside, this is a good place to start.
August 10, 2016
I picked this up mostly as antidote to the current state of political discourse, as hopefully a small reminder that America had some good history and vision going for it too. There's a decided political bent to some of the curatorial decisions, which is a thing; and I would have liked for some more breadth in offerings of the later eras. But as a whole, the book did it's job, and I certainly wont lament having some of the more notable writings (Article of Confederation, Gettysburg Address, Letter from a Birmingham Jail) on hand.
January 30, 2011
Inspiring and thought provoking.
This book contains "snippets" of history, examples of the ideals and reasonings that have made this country what it is today.
Admittedly, there are many things that are missing, which could have been included for historical purposes, but the documents contained in this book go a long way towards showing the overall direction and intent that our country's founders and leaders have had.
This book contains "snippets" of history, examples of the ideals and reasonings that have made this country what it is today.
Admittedly, there are many things that are missing, which could have been included for historical purposes, but the documents contained in this book go a long way towards showing the overall direction and intent that our country's founders and leaders have had.
July 9, 2009
This compilation of letters, poetry, speeches, and articles is fascinating in its blend of sources. Whether a founding father, a present president, or a civil rights leader, truth remains the same. It is written in different words, but as humans, we understand the same as our counterparts in the 1700's. Truth doesn't change. And truth can only be truth if it is in harmony with God's laws.
November 29, 2012
An excellent sampling of great speeches, documents and short bios from every era of American history. I particularly like Calvin Coolidge's "Have Faith in Massachusetts" address and Alan Keys' speech at the end. A handy and refreshing little book to have around, especially as a temporary relief from all the moronic tripe coming out of the mouths of some of our leaders today.
February 14, 2016
An indispensable guide to north american patriotism through the ages, full of the wisdom that guides the western concept of freedom. Most of these speeches are truly remarkable, and in a sense, inmortal. It's amazing how even today, they are remainders of what we have to strive for.
June 24, 2012
Wonderful resource of American culture and history. Many of the documents in this book are valuable to have compiled in one book.
June 2, 2014
Should be read by all Americans.
March 21, 2016
Inspiring ... I highly recommend it. Read it & keep it in your car or desk so you can reread sections from time to time.
October 3, 2016
Good reference. Well sourced.
February 5, 2022
Great synopsis of the greatest principles of our democracy. The summary of the Presidents at the end is a good reminder of the highlights of the times
Want to read
April 20, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13109735
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13109735
December 29, 2017
An essential primer on founding American documents, poems, and political speeches.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews