By William J. Bennett. Nelson Current, 2006. 525 pp.

Reviewed by Alison Andrews

 

 

Abraham Lincoln called America “the last best hope of earth.” Because William Bennett recognizes there are plenty of people who do not agree, he has written a two-volume history of the United States to counteract widespread cynicism about America’s greatness and purpose, and to renew hope in his readers. Further, he wants to give Americans “an opportunity to enjoy the story of their country, to take pleasure and pride in what we have done and become.” This type of patriotism is to be expected from a conservative who served as Secretary of Education under President Reagan. Yet while Bennett loves America, he does not love her blindly. In the introduction, he states that he will try to paint America as Oliver Cromwell asked to be painted: warts and all. He warns, however, that he will not accept the view of some today who see America as nothing but warts.

PCD—Top of My Lungs
INO, 2006
By Chris Anderson

 

 

Where’s the fun in being a Yankee’s fan? After all, they’re perfect, flawless. Like the stock market, a patient Yankee's fan (oxymoron) will never be let down. Other baseball teams have uncertainty; winning and losing becomes emotional because sometimes you’re the underdog.

Flicker Records, 2006

Reviewed by Chris Anderson
 

First impressions are only made once, and Nevertheless plans on introducing themselves with a Christ-loving knuckle-jack right upside your kisser. “Neverthewho?” you may ask, but only once. Because once you submit yourself to their messages of hope and covenantal love, you’ll be asking Joshua Pearson for encore slaps over and again. Their debut album, Live Like We’re Alive, has an addictive punch that screams for your attention.

By Alison Andrews

 

My Sister’s Keeper.  By Jodi Picoult. Washington Square Press, 2005. 448 pp.

We Are All Welcome Here. By Elizabeth Berg. Random House, 2006. 208 pp.