The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America

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Overview

365 reasons to love America!

The fife and drum of history mark the time of each passing day. And within their cadence, personalities, conflicts, discoveries, ideas, and nations peal and fade. American history is no different. From the starving time of Jamestown during the Winter of 1609, through the bloody argument of the Civil War, and to today, the United States is a tale best told one day at a time.

Best-selling author and educator Dr. William J. Bennett is a master of the story that is the United States. And in The American Patriot's Almanac, Bennett distills the American drama into three hundred sixty-five entries-one for each day of the year. Fascinating in its detail and singular in its grasp of the big themes, Bennett's Almanac will make anyone a fan of history, assembling even some of the most obscure details. Even better, it will make of everyone a patriot.

This revised edition includes:

A new Preface and updated facts and figures
Updates to the American History Parade lists and daily readings
New special sections on "Faith and the Founders;" "State Facts and Symbols," with fascinating trivia; and "Fifty American Quotes," containing great quotes about the American spirit.

The American Patriot's Almanac

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781595552679
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 11/30/2008
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 608
Product dimensions: 7.30 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.60 (d)

Preface....................ix
Introduction: The American Patriot....................xiv
Twelve Great Reasons to Love a Great Country....................xx
January....................1
Flags of the Revolutionary War....................33
February....................37
The History of the Stars and Stripes....................66
March....................71
Fifty All-American Movies....................103
April....................115
Fifty American Quotes....................146
May....................159
Flag Etiquette: Guidelines for Displaying and Handling the US Flag....................191
June....................199
How the Declaration of Independence Was Written and Signed....................230
The Declaration of Independence....................233
July....................239
How the Constitution Was Written and Ratified....................271
The Constitution of the United States....................274
The Bill of Rights....................290
Amendments to the US Constitution Since the Bill of Rights....................293
August....................305
The Gettysburg Address....................337
The Emancipation Proclamation....................339
The Pledge of Allegiance....................342
The American's Creed....................344
September....................345
Songs of American Patriotism....................376
October....................397
Poems of American Patriotism....................429
November....................439
Faith and the Founders....................470
Prayers for the American People....................476
December....................485
State Flags, Facts, and Symbols....................517
Acknowledgments....................547
Notes....................549
Index....................551
About the Authors....................561

First Chapter

The American Patriot's ALMANAC

Daily Readings on America

By WILLIAM J. BENNETT JOHN T. E. CRIBB

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2010 William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-59555-260-0

Chapter One

January

JANUARY 1 Lincoln Signs the Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in Confederate territory to be free. The proclamation stated that, as of that day, "all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State ... in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."

Those words changed the Civil War from a fight to save the Union into a battle for human freedom. They meant that the United States was finally facing the fact that it could not tolerate the evil of slavery if it really believed that all people had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With the Emancipation Proclamation, the U.S. started down the path of becoming a truly great nation, one that could try to live up to the soaring ideals on which it was founded.

Lincoln signed the proclamation in his office on New Year's Day afternoon. A handful of advisors joined him for the historic occasion. The president dipped a pen in ink but then put it down because his hand was trembling. He'd been shaking hands for hours at a reception, he explained, and his arm felt "almost paralyzed." He worried that a shaky signature might prompt critics to claim that he hesitated. "I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right than I do in signing this paper," he told those looking on.

Flexing his arm and taking up the pen again, he carefully wrote his name. Lincoln signed most government documents as A. Lincoln. For the Emancipation Proclamation, he wrote his name in full. "That will do," he said, looking up and smiling.

With the passing of time, the text of the original Emancipation Proclamation has faded, and its paper has yellowed. But the signature of Abraham Lincoln stands forth bold, bright, and clear.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1752 Betsy Ross, said to have sewed the first American flag, is born in Philadelphia. 1863 Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. 1892 Ellis Island begins processing immigrants in New York Harbor. 1902 The first Rose Bowl is played in Pasadena, California (Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0). 1928 The first air-conditioned office building opens in San Antonio, Texas.

JANUARY 2 Haym Salomon: A Financial Hero of the Revolution

On this day in 1777, George Washington's army was busy fighting the British in the Second Battle of Trenton, New Jersey. While Washington fought, another great patriot was hard at work behind the scenes, aiding the American cause. You may never have heard of Haym Salomon, but he was one of the heroes of the American Revolution. In fact, if not for Patriots like Salomon, there would never have been a United States.

Born in Poland, Salomon immigrated to New York City in 1772 and soon became a successful merchant and banker. He joined the Sons of Liberty, a Patriot group, and when war broke out, he helped supply American troops. The British arrested him in 1776 and flung him into prison. After a while they released him, and he went straight back to aiding the Patriots.

The British arrested Salomon again in 1778. This time they decided to be rid of him. They sentenced him to be hanged as a rebel, but he escaped and fled to Philadelphia.

Once again Salomon went into business as a banker, and he continued to devote his talents and wealth to the Patriot cause. American leaders frequently turned to him for help in raising funds to support the war. Salomon risked his assets by loaning the government money for little or no commission. He helped pay the salaries of army officers, tapped his own funds to supply ragged troops, and worked tirelessly to secure French aid for the Revolution.

After the war the young nation struggled to get on its feet. When the republic needed money, Salomon helped save the United States from financial collapse.

The years following the Revolution took a toll on Haym Salomon's business. At the end of his life, his wealth was gone. In fact, he died impoverished. He had poured much of his fortune into the service of his country.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1777 George Washington's army fights the Second Battle of Trenton, New Jersey. 1788 Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the U. S. Constitution. 1882 John D. Rockefeller forms the Standard Oil Trust, a giant oil monopoly. 1942 During World War II, Japanese forces capture Manila, the capital of the Philippines. 1974 President Richard Nixon signs legislation limiting highway speeds to 55 miles per hour to conserve gas.

JANUARY 3 A Few State Stats

On this day in 1959, Alaska became the first new state to enter the Union since Arizona, forty-seven years before. It's by far the largest state-more than twice as large as Texas and almost a fifth as large as all the rest of the states put together. Nearly a third of Alaska lies north of the Arctic Circle, and its mainland stretches almost to Asia, coming within 51 miles of Russia. One of Alaska's islands, Little Diomede Island, lies only two and a half miles from Russia's Big Diomede Island, with the International Date Line running between them.

Here are a few more state statistics:

Largest Alaska (663,267 sq. mi.) Largest in Lower 48 Texas (268,581 sq. mi.) Largest east of the Mississippi Michigan (96,716 sq. mi.) Smallest Rhode Island (1,545 sq. mi.) Smallest west of the Mississippi Hawaii (10,931 sq. mi.) Longest coastline Alaska (6,640 mi.) Shortest coastline New Hampshire (13 mi.) Most populated California (approx. 37,000,000 people) Least populated Wyoming (approx. 544,000 people) Most densely populated New Jersey (1,174 people per sq. mi.) Least densely populated Alaska (1.2 people per sq. mi.) First to enter union Delaware (Dec. 7, 1787) Latest to enter union Hawaii (Aug. 21, 1959)

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1777 A Patriot army under General George Washington defeats the British in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey. 1870 Construction on the Brooklyn Bridge begins. 1947 Congressional proceedings are televised for the first time as part of the 80th Congress's opening ceremonies and are broadcast in a few cities. 1959 Alaska becomes the forty-ninth state.

JANUARY 4 Elizabeth Ann Seton

January 4 is the feast day of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.

Elizabeth was born in New York City on August 28, 1774. She grew up in a well-to-do family and married William Seton, a wealthy young New York shipping merchant. Elizabeth had five children, enjoyed a privileged social position, and devoted herself to several charitable activities.

In 1803, her world came crashing down around her. William's shipping business went bankrupt, and he developed tuberculosis. They sailed to Italy in search of a healthier climate, but William soon died. While waiting for passage back to the United States, Elizabeth stayed with an Italian family and was deeply impressed with their devout Catholic faith.

Elizabeth returned to New York with little money. She soon made a decision that made her life even harder-she decided to become a Catholic. It was a time in American history when Catholics often suffered great prejudice. Rejected by family and friends, she struggled to support her children.

A rector in Baltimore heard of her plight and invited her to establish a school for girls there. In 1808, Elizabeth embarked on a remarkable new life. Settling in Baltimore, she started the Paca Street School, the country's first Catholic elementary school. A year later she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph's, a religious community of women devoted to teaching and serving the poor. As the community grew, it opened schools and orphanages in New York and Philadelphia.

Elizabeth Seton died on January 4, 1821. By then the Sisters of Charity were spreading across the country. Today Seton's legacy includes thousands of sisters who work in hundreds of schools, hospitals, and social service centers throughout the world. In 1975, the Roman Catholic Church declared Elizabeth Ann Seton a saint.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1821 Elizabeth Ann Seton dies in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 1885 Dr. William W. Grant of Davenport, Iowa, performs what is thought to be the first successful appendectomy in the United States. 1896 Utah becomes the forty-fifth state. 2004 Spirit, a robotic rover, lands on Mars to explore the planet. 2007 Nancy Pelosi of California becomes the first female Speaker of the House.

JANUARY 5 Ellis Island

The first week of January 1892 saw the opening of a new U.S. immigration station on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. A 15-year-old lass from Ireland named Annie Moore entered the United States and history when she passed through its doors, becoming the first immigrant to be processed there. Over the next 62 years, 12 million more would follow, making Ellis Island the most famous entry point in America.

Ferryboats full of eager immigrants who had just crossed the Atlantic on sailing vessels or steamships docked at Ellis Island. There passengers disembarked to be screened by doctors and immigration officers. If they were in good health and their papers in order, they were allowed into the United States. Over the years, 98 percent of all those examined at Ellis Island were admitted into the country. More than 40 percent of all U.S. citizens can trace their ancestry through those immigrants.

Ellis Island closed as an immigration station in 1954. In 1990 it reopened as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Ferries that take visitors to the Statue of Liberty make stops at the museum.

Ellis Island was named for Samuel Ellis, a colonist who owned the island in the late eighteenth century. Today the name reminds us that America has been a beacon of hope for the world-as Abraham Lincoln called it, "the last best hope of earth"-and that the United States has taken in more people seeking new lives than any other nation in history.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1781 A British force led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia.

1914 Henry Ford, head of the Ford Motor Company, introduces a wage of five dollars a day in his automotive factories.

1925 Nellie T. Ross becomes the first woman governor when she succeeds her late husband as governor of Wyoming.

1933 Construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

JANUARY 6 Samuel Morse Starts a Communications Revolution

As a young man, Samuel Morse set out to become a famous painter. His ambition was "to rival the genius of a Raphael, a Michelangelo, or a Titian." He studied at the Royal Academy in London and won acclaim by painting portraits of men such as President James Monroe and the Marquis de Lafayette.

In 1832, onboard a ship crossing the ocean, Morse heard another passenger describe how electricity could pass instantly over any length of wire. He began to wonder: Could messages be sent over wires with electricity? He rushed back to his cabin, took out his drawing book, and began to sketch out his idea for a telegraph.

He knew little about electricity, but he learned as he went. He used a homemade battery and parts from an old clock to build his first models. He developed a code of long and short electrical impulses-"dots" and "dashes"-to represent letters. His invention raised the interest of Alfred Vail, a machinist who became his partner.

On January 6, 1838, the inventors were ready to test their device over two miles of wire at the Vail family ironworks in New Jersey. Vail's father scribbled "A patient waiter is no loser" on a piece of paper and handed it to his son. "If you can send this and Mr. Morse can read it at the other end, I shall be convinced," he said. A short time later, his words came out on the receiving end.

On May 24, 1844, an amazed crowd in the Supreme Court chambers in Washington, D.C., watched Samuel Morse demonstrate his telegraph by sending a message over a wire to Baltimore, 35 miles away. In Morse code, he tapped out a quote from the Bible: What hath God wrought!

Soon telegraph lines linked countries and continents, and the world entered the age of modern communication.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1759 George Washington and Martha Dandridge Custis are married. 1838 Samuel Morse conducts a successful demonstration of his telegraph near Morristown, New Jersey. 1912 New Mexico becomes the forty-seventh state. 1942 The Pan American Airways Pacific Clipper arrives in New York City to complete the first round-the-world trip by a commercial airplane.

JANUARY 7 Israel Putnam

Connecticut Patriot Israel Putnam, born January 7, 1718, was a successful farmer and tavern keeper at the outset of the Revolutionary War. He had already seen more than his share of fighting. During the French and Indian War, he had been captured by Indians and would have been burned alive if a French officer had not intervened at the last minute. He took part in campaigns against Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal, and in 1762 survived a shipwreck off Cuba during a mission against Havana.

On April 20, 1775, Putnam and his son Daniel were plowing in a field in Brooklyn, Connecticut, when a messenger galloped into the village with news that the British had fired on the American militia at Lexington, Massachusetts. At once Putnam mounted a horse to spread the alarm in neighboring towns and consult with local leaders. Then came news of fighting at Concord, and a call for "every man who is fit and willing" to come to their countrymen's aid.

Without stopping to rest or even change the checkered farmer's frock he'd been wearing when he left his plow, Putnam rode through the night to Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Boston, to join colonial soldiers there. By the time he reached his destination, he'd ridden 100 miles in 18 hours.

Two months later, Putnam commanded troops at Bunker's Hill (Breed's Hill), where he reportedly told his men, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" Like the ancient Roman Cincinnatus, who also left his plow standing in a field when called to duty, Putnam never hesitated when his country needed him.

A monument to Israel Putnam at Brooklyn, Connecticut, reads: "Patriot, remember the heritages received from your forefathers and predecessors. Protect and perpetuate them for future generations of your countrymen."

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1718 Israel Putnam, American patriot, is born in Salem Village, Massachusetts. 1782 The Bank of North America, the first U.S. commercial bank, opens in Philadelphia. 1789 The first presidential election is held as Americans vote for electors who, a month later, choose George Washington as the nation's first president. 1800 Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth U.S. president, is born in Locke, New York. 1927 Commercial transatlantic telephone service between New York and London is inaugurated. 1999 President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial begins in the Senate on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice (he is later acquitted).

JANUARY 8 The Battle of New Orleans

On January 8, 1815, Andrew Jackson and his band of "half-horse, half-alligator" men whipped the British in the Battle of New Orleans, the last major battle of the War of 1812.

General Jackson, known to his troops as "Old Hickory" because of his toughness, had been placed in charge of defending the port city. As the British approached, he frantically threw up earthworks and assembled an extraordinary army of some 5,000 men. He had volunteers from New Orleans, including Creole aristocrats, tradesmen, and laborers. His forces also counted Tennessee and Kentucky militia, as well as Free Negroes, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italians, and Indians.

Jackson even had help from Jean Lafitte, the infamous, French-born gentleman pirate. The British had offered Lafitte money and a command in the Royal Navy if he would help them attack New Orleans. Lafitte turned them down and offered his pirates to the American side. Jackson, needing every man he could get, said yes.

The British, who ridiculed the American defenders as "dirty shirts," came at Old Hickory at daybreak with more than 8,000 troops. As the main attack began, they fired a rocket. Old Hickory remained calm. "Don't mind those rockets," he said. "They are mere toys to amuse children."

As the redcoats advanced, the Americans took aim with rifles and artillery. "Boys, elevate them guns a little lower!" Jackson ordered as he directed cannon fire.

The battle turned into a rout. About 2,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. The American toll was just 13 dead and 58 wounded or missing.

Several weeks later, news arrived that American and British negotiators had signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium, two weeks before the battle. Still, the victory electrified Americans, filled them with confidence, and gave them a hero who would go on to become the nation's seventh president.

AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE

1790 President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address in New York City. 1815 U.S. forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the Battle of New Orleans. 1918 President Woodrow Wilson outlines his fourteen points for peace after World War I. 1935 Rock 'n' roll king Elvis Presley is born in Tupelo, Mississippi. 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson declares war on poverty. 1987 The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 2,000 for the first time.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The American Patriot's ALMANAC by WILLIAM J. BENNETT JOHN T. E. CRIBB Copyright © 2010 by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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4amigos

Posted December 20, 2008

Wonderful Resource

I had the pleasure of reviewing this book, and it exceeded my expectations. The book design is beautiful, and it instantly drew me into the book. The book is divided by months and themes. The first thing we did was look up the dates of our family. We all wanted to see what events took place on our birthdates. It is a great history lesson for us all, and it makes learning history fun. The book contains various documents that have shaped American history. Such as the Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Gettysburg Address, The Declaration of Independence, and many more. My favorite was the Code of Conduct for the military. I have many family members serving our country, but I had never read the pledge that is required of our armed forces. This makes me honor and appreciate our troops even more. The book contains a list of the top 50 American films of all time. My family plans to watch all of these films. My children enjoyed learning about all the symbols on American money. They also wanted to learn some of the American Patriotism songs in the book. Our family plans to read the daily entry at night. This is a wonderful introduction to history for your family. It is done in a simple but engaging way. Every family should have this book in their home library. I plan on purchasing a few for relatives. This book would be wonderful for a classroom, homeschooling family, and public library. This book is worth every penny.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted December 13, 2008

A Must Have For American History Lovers

The moment I laid eyes on this book, I fell in love with it.
From the "aged" look of the front cover to the beautiful ivory, rough edge pages, this book captured my interest from the very first page.

In the very beginning of this book, there are three pages devoted to The American Patriot and what patriotism means. The first three pages are inspiring and spark a love and respect for all things "American".

The book is divided into chapters, January through December. For each day of the month there is a detailed historical event that corresponds with the date. At the bottom of each page, there are other historical events listed for that same date and each page is a wealth of information!

The information provided in this book not only includes history from the early beginnings of America, but current information as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see a page devoted to Pat Tillman, who was killed in the line of duty in 2004.

The writings are informative, easy to read and just enough information to be interesting yet not overwhelming. I plan to use this book as part of our American History curriculum next year.

Everyone who loves American history should have The American Patriot's Almanac in their library. And for those who aren't well versed on our history or may not have enjoyed the subject in school, I believe this book will change your perception as well.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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A_Writers_Pen

Posted December 17, 2008

more from this reviewer

The American Patriot¿s Almanac

The American Patriot¿s Almanac is a fantastic way for families to talk about American history one bite at a time. I was worried that this book would be overwhelming in scope and depth at 515 pages, but instead I found it to be a pleasant read at one page per day.

The book consists of a one page a day synopsis of an important historical event that took place on this date in history. For example, December 16th has four paragraphs summing up the events of the Boston Tea Party. Following this, is five single line other significant historical events, arranged chronologically, such as:

1773 Massachusetts colonists stage the Boston Tea Party

1811 The first of the New Madrid earthquakes, a series of incredibly violent quakes centered near New Madrid, Missouri, occurs.

1835 Fire roars through New York City, destroying approximately 600 buildings.

1944 German forces launch a surprise attack in Belgium, beginning the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler¿s last major offensive battle on the Western front.

1972 The Miami Dolphins become the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a fourteen-game regular season; they go on to defeat the Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

When I first started reading this book about a week ago, I was always surprised to learn what took place on this date in history. My husband is a big history buff and I¿ve never been able to talk history with him before because I didn¿t have the vast reserves of trivia knowledge that he had. Now the gap is closing in! Every month historical documents are included, word for word, such as the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, The Gettysburg Address, as well as some prayers.

Most significantly though, my ninth grade son is literally eating this book up at breakfast. He sits down with his bowl of cereal and opens up the book to today¿s date and absorbs the information. I would recommend this book for middle school and above. If you can get your child to read the daily page, it would give your child a good foundation in America¿s history in about three minutes a day.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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BTomberlin

Posted April 22, 2012

Enjoyable!!!!!

Enjoyable!!!!!
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Anonymous

Posted May 9, 2011

Parts cannot be viewed correctly on NookColor

We had the original version of The American Patriot's Almanac in hard cover and were happy when the updated version came out as an e-book. Unfortunately, the "American History Parade" portions of each day's entries do not view properly - you see them as one letter per line (reading down the page instead of across). Apparently there is no fix for this at the present time.
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Jina83

Posted December 21, 2010

The American Patriot's Almanac

The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb is more than just a book. It is an education in history, patriotism, pride and above all "marketing". I used the word marketing because one look at its exquisite hard cover, navy blue spine and majestic eagle spread on its front cover is enough to make you want to have it in your collection! Such was my feeling the moment I received it and even before I had read a single page. However while the beauty of most superbly jacketed volumes are only skin deep, The American Patriot's Almanac delivers till the last page.
Essentially meant for daily reading, it contains 365 brief, interesting selections--one for reading each day of the year. The passages are short enough to share with older elementary aged kids through adults. On the bottom of each page is a quick glance at some other moments of America's history, such as December 28 1945 when "Congress formally recognizes the Pledge of Allegiance as the national pledge". There are poems by American poets, the lyrics to traditional, patriotic songs, and even America's top movies and quotes by Americans! And a recurring theme throughout is the Christian heritage our forefathers established for us...something today's Americans often forget! An excellent gift for the festive season.
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DebbieUSA

Posted December 19, 2010

The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb

Sunday, December 19, 2010The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb, is a collection of 365 daily readings taken from some of American history's greatest stories . Most focus on a specific detail of a historical event and many include a primary source such as a journal entry or portions of a speech. These selections are intended to inspire and assure the reader that we aren't facing anything as Americans today that our ancestors in the past didn't face. Tucked between each month are lists and other facts such as : a list of all -American movies (not all are appropriate for Christians), flag etiquette, brief expositories on American documents such as the U.S. Constitution and The Emancipation Proclamation, and American quotes, poems, and songs . At the bottom of each daily reading page the authors have included a list of , usually 4 or 5, other significant events that also occurred that day, during other years, through out America's history. I thought this was a wonderful book. It was organized clearly. Selections for the topics were well varied; a few overlapped. The short passages were written in a way that will help bring history to life. This book would make a splendid resource for anyone who already has a general foundation in American history and wanted to build on that knowledge. It would be a treasured volume to add to any American patriot's home library. In my opinion, this is a book that every American student should be required to read before graduating from high school. I plan to use this in our home school as an 11th grade American History resource. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.I received a free copy of The American Patriot's Almanac from Thomas Nelson Publishers, as part of their Book Sneeze program, in exchange for an honest review.
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Bostonblogmom

Posted December 7, 2010

I love it! Highly entertaining and easy to digest.

"The American Patriot's Almanac" may look slightly intimidating at 561 pages, but it is probably the easiest-to-digest history book you will ever encounter. The almanac is written like a one year Bible devotional book. For every day of the year, there is a brief but extremely interesting account of something important that happened on that day in American history (or close to it). For each date, other notable historic events are also listed. For those with short attention spans, I think this is a wonderful way to learn fascinating tidbits about important people and events from our nation's past.

At the end of every month, there is a special section devoted more in depth to one particular subject. For example, at the end of June you will not only find the Declaration of Independence, but also the story of how the Declaration was written and signed. After other months, you will find terrific compilations like: Fifty All-American Movies, Fifty American Quotes, Songs of American Patriotism, and Poems of American Patriotism. Yes, you can probably find similar lists online. But I doubt that any others are done as beautifully as they are in this book.

My personal favorite section is the one at the end of November, titled "Faith and the Founders." In this list of seven spiritual truths that our Founding Fathers believed, the authors point out that "When history books tell of this nation's founding, they often leave faith out of the story..In fact, most of those men and women were people of faith, and their faith mattered very much." It does my heart good to read this list. For example, did you know that the first act of the First Continental Congress was to pray for wisdom? That just makes me smile. In addition, the section called "Twelve Great Reasons to Love a Great Country" will make you temporarily forget about the debate on whether or not to extend tax cuts for the wealthy, and just make you feel proud to be an American again.

Clearly, this history book takes several steps away from the secular perspective (as anyone familiar with Conservative William J. Bennett might have guessed). If that doesn't bother you, you will love this book as much as I do. I think that "The American Patriot's Almanac" is a treasure trove of stories and facts about our great country. It contains all of the basic information that you could ever be quizzed on in one impressive volume. And since Christmas is only weeks away, I should point out that it would make a great gift for anyone you know who appreciates history, collects trivia, and/or just plain loves America. It is a fantastic addition to my family's library!
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Gabriel87

Posted December 1, 2010

Awesome Historical Stories book!

People say History is boring and it's hard to finish the historical books. Well, I would say it's different with The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. It's a book with 365 days of historical stories happened in the American History. Everyday, the writer would relate to what had happened in that particular day or duration in the history. Besides, on each day, there would be another 4 to 5 events listed in the page that happened around the same time of the day. I would say the way the writers organize the American History into story telling in 365 days is something very creative. It kept someone like me, who didn't do well in the history classes, interested in the history again! I would suggest to the parents to have one of these books in the house for the kids to read them. Alright, I shall check out what has happened today in the history! Have fun reading!
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nchokkan

Posted November 25, 2010

The American Patriot's Almanac

There are many ways to read "The American Patriot's Almanac" By William J Bennett and John T. E. Cribb. You can start at January 1 and read all the way up to December 31 with interesting tidbits in between. But that would be slightly boring. I found this fun way of reading this amazing & well researched book:

Start with your birthday. Turn the almanac pages to that day and check what has happened on that day. Find anything interesting? (For example, I found that Benjamin Franklin was born on that day!) Email it to friends, Tweet about it.

Then try your spouse's birthday, anniversary day, friends' birthdays, the day you joined your first job, any other special day you might have. Slowly you can finish this whole book and have a very personal experience about American history.

You can also treat this book as a daily calendar / diary, which gives you a bit of American history with relevance to each day. With wonderful pictures, detailed explanations about important topics such as Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg address, Songs of American Patriotism etc., I hope Thomas Nelson brings many more books in this 'Almanac' series about other countries / personalities / topics.

Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about American history in a very interactive and readable manner!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze dot com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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JSJSJS

Posted November 24, 2010

The American Patriot's Almanac

This book is somewhat like a devotional in the fact it offers some obscure and not so obscure facts about American history and different ongoings in America for each day of the year that happened that particular day in years past.

This book is certainly a wealth of knowledge and would be perfect for any American History buff. The book itself is very beautiful and has rough-hewn edges on pages in the old fashioned style. However, in picking this book I believe I was looking for something more inspiring than it left me with. After reading each entry I found myself left with an, "oh that's nice..." sentiment running through my head as opposed to any conception of awe or faith.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in more knowledge on all the interesting little facts and details about America and its people, but this is not something I am going to turn to every morning looking for something to start my day with.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneezebook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Stacie_B

Posted November 23, 2010

Very good book!

If you are at all interested in the United States, how it was formed, who helped make it into the country it is today, or any type of American trivia, this is the book for you. This book is full of facts about our country and its people, from the Revolutionary period up to modern day. Past presidents, military heroes, famous inventors, facts about weather records, past events, and more can be found in this book. Sectioned off into 365 days of entries, so you can either read one entry a day to make it last all year, or read a couple sections a day, and finish earlier.

I like the way it's sectioned off into days, and something important that happened on or near that day. Then it has a small list of other events or famous birthdays on that day, listed by year. I learned a lot about our country, and what makes it great and interesting. From the Bible passages that different presidents used during inauguration, to a listing of the state flags and their symbols and meaning, this book is packed with information. Soccer Star and Bookworm are huge fans of "Did you know.", so I've had fun sharing the information I get out of this book with them.
I recommend this book for anyone taking an American History class or interested in American History, and it also makes a good conversation piece between parents and kids, if you want to talk about something that isn't video games and television.
I received this book for free from Book Sneeze for review purposes only, and was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are truthful.
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Warmfuzzies

Posted November 18, 2010

Very high quality, great book

I knew right away that I wanted to read this book when I saw that is was co-authored by William J. Bennet. What I didn't know was that it would be hardback and nearly 2 inches thick, with cloth binding! This is an extremely high quality book, and the content matches it in quality as well.

Imagine a book with dates for every day of the year, and items of American history, from the monumental to the mundane, located on each and every stuffed page. Then, add in songs, articles, and other information, and you will have some idea of what this book is all about.

This book has one page for each day of the year. That page has a main reading for the day, and also a list of the other events in American history that happened on that date. At the end of each month there is an article with more in-depth historical information, and some have songs, prayers, poems and the like. This makes the book excellent for reading daily. Kept on a bedside stand or coffee table, it is great for daily reading and then the further contemplation throughout the day that is sure to follow.

If the read-a-little-a-day style does not suit you, don't give up on this book just yet. I am not one to read a snippet and then put the book down until tomorrow. (Maybe that is why I always read devotionals more like novels- straight through. ) Even though that is not my style, I really enjoyed reading this book. There is a lot here, and even if you just pick it up and start browsing, it is easy to read. If you take into account the thick index in the back of this book, you have a valuable resource book as well!

*I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for this review. I am always honest and fair in my reviews. *
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Anne-B

Posted November 10, 2010

For the Revised 2010 edition...

I have realized how much I need to teach my children that they live in a country that is worth being proud of. I found a pleasant surprise in this book! It's simply great! The beginning explains why we need to be proud to be patriots. It isn't an antiquated thing. There are several stories that let the reader know that the authors acknowledge that our country is not perfect! Yet, our country is a great country to live in! I was also very curious about what they would say about our country being a God centered country. I disagreed with what they said far, far less than I expected to. The book essentially has one entry for each day of the year and then at the end of each month there is a special addition. For one month, the Declaration of Independence is included and the story of its beginning. For another, there is a list of 50 great American quotes--and then also quotes by people outside America about America (some of these were awesome!). But, my favorite monthly addition was actually the list of 50 All American films. I was quite surprised, and honestly pleased by the films they chose. The Disney film chosen will completely surprise you! With all of this great information in this book, I can foresee us using this a couple of ways in our homeschooling. In middle school, I will read the entries with my kids and discuss the information. The additional information will find many uses. Late in middle school and into high school, I would love to watch each of these films with our kids and talk about them. I have great hopes for good discussions about them! If you are looking for a supplemental resource for your U.S. History curriciulum for middle school or high school students, I think this would be a great choice! Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson Publishing.
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HSMomof4

Posted November 4, 2010

Great book... Great US History almanac... a definite read for all!

The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb, published by Thomas Nelson, was everything I expected and more! This newly revised, updated and expanded almanac includes a slice of our great country's history alongside the daily "American History Parade."

I enjoyed reading through the historical events which left such in impact on our country. My whole family enjoyed looking up their birthday to see who had the most exciting historical events.

Since we are learning US History this year, we have been able to review such documents as: The Declaration of Independence (and how it was written and signed), The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, and the American Creed - just to name of few.

Each year our students in the public schools are learning a different US History from previous generations. This Almanac helps bridge that gap and gives an insight into the Christian founding principles of America.

Per the author, "Our nation's founding principles of liberty and equality are among humanity's noblest aspirations. As long as the United States is a place dedicated to those principles, then to be an American patriot is to love something noble and good. By loving America, we lift our own sights." Let us be a country filled with PATRIOTS who love this country, take pride in what America has accomplished, are active in their communities, and are involved in the election process - voting, reading up on the issues, and being an active participant.

Book rating: 5 out of 5
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PJanes

Posted November 1, 2010

more from this reviewer

American Almanac

As a blogger for booksneeze, I am reviewing the American Patriots Almanac by William J. Bennett and John Cribb published by Thomas Nelson. This book is a combination of a "devotional" book and a history book in one geared especially for those interested readers in American history. Actually it is like a devotional book of historical facts, figures, historic places and events. As an almanac of American History and its historical figures, a vast amount of information is presented in this book. What makes this patriotic themed almanac unique is that there are 365 entries, one for each day of the year. Well known figures such as Abraham Lincoln as well as lesser known historical personalities are included in this encyclopedia- like volume. Plenty of statistics, dates and trivia facts are contained within this volume as well. Each month has its own theme. For example, April is dedicated to a survey of American movies. The entire month of May is dedicated to flag etiquette and February is dedicated to the various flags of the revolution. There is bound to be something to appeal to a wide variety of interests. In a day where many modern readers are used to small broken up passages of texts and quick facts, this book is sure to appeal to a wide audience and the casual reader alike. The passages of text and information are broken down into smaller digestible chunks of information for today's modern reader. Anyone who enjoys any type of quick fact book, will appreciate this almanac. Furthermore, this book is a great introduction to American history and trivia. It is a good springboard to introduce the reader to various historical facts. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
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Anonymous

Posted March 15, 2010

Great daily dose of US History

I just discovered this book this year and am having our two daughters, whom we homeschool, use this book to add information to their history timelines. We all find it very interesting to find out what was going on in America on a given day. The book has sparked some great conversations. We often bring up some bit of information we have read to others. For example, on today's date, March 15, the American Legion was founded, Maine becomes the twenty-third state, and in New York State, voting machines are first authorized for use in elections. It's a great book to have laying around and leafing through.
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jscuozzo1

Posted February 1, 2010

Great book for Kids

We got this book for our kids (7 and 9). Great book to read before school (if there's time). Nice little stories about American history, and popular culture. These that we should remember fondly about America. Great if you want to start teaching your kids about American history (like Lincoln, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Pearl Harbor). You know the stuff they may not get in public school these days.
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AnnaSwanson

Posted August 2, 2009

Absolutely Terrific

This book is an interesting way to learn little facts about US history. Many of the entries promote patriotism and pride in the courage of those who went before us. Every family should not only own one but should read it to their children. It provides a wonderful way to share insights into history and character with our children and grandchildren. There is nothing dry or dull about this. Every entry lives!! I have given the book as a gift several times and my husband and I enjoy reading it ourselves. Thank you, William Bennett.
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thepeachykeenwriter

Posted June 7, 2009

more from this reviewer

Great for history lovers

When I saw this book, I was very excited to get the opportunity to learn more about the history of my country. I thought this would be a great way to learn about the heroic and courageous things that people have done so that I can live in the U.S.

This book definitely helped bolster my patriotism. Because I read all 365 entries in a period of several months, it tended to drag at times, just because it was so much reading. But for something short to read once a day, this is wonderful. I really can't say just how much I enjoyed reading this book. As well as short blurbs on different people, places, etc., at the end of each month, there are "essays", I suppose you could say, that tell about different things - reasons to love our country, the history of our flags, fifty all-American movies, etc.

The only thing that bothered me were the few instances of profanity. I've never been one to want to read profanity in a book. However, people in history were just as flawed as we are today, and I understand the reasons the authors kept the quotes completely intact.

Overall, I suggest this book. It's great to get to read a little about our country's past every day.

-Audra, Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger
www.audreywithachance.blogspot.com
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/
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