America - The Last Best Hope
by William Bennett
In May of 2009, I received copies of America: The Last Best Hope from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I had been interested in reviewing these books because despite years of researching history curriculum for my children as we have homeschooled them, I had never seen information regarding these books in any of the typical homeschool curricula offerings. I was very thankful that the publisher’s representative was willing to allow me to review the books.
Unfortunately, the hard drive on my computer failed in July 2009 – in the midst of switching from one older hard drive to a brand new one. I lost the contact information for TeamHOPE, of Thomas Nelson Publishers.
I had also determined that I was perhaps not the best person to provide an educated review of these books. My father, Gary, has been a complete history nut from his earliest recollection; I merely endured history textbooks during my school years.
I love history now, but we are still continuing on in our chronological studies of world history, and have only recently studied Christopher Columbus’ exploration of the New World, along with the Renaissance and the Reformation. Thus, I felt inadequate to review these books in their entirety except to read through them enough to know that this is a far more interesting way of reading about American historical events than just rushing through a chapter in a traditional textbook, answering the questions at the end of the chapter, and taking a test.
Below is the publisher’s explanation of the three books and the website resources and materials available to be used in conjunction with America: The Last Best Hope. Following this will be my father’s guest review.
By Thomas Nelson Publishers:
Textbooks and Online Supplements for Social Studies and History Education Including Advanced Placement U.S. History
To support and supplement America: The Last Best Hope, Volumes I and II, Team HOPE developed innovative companion materials for students and teachers, called the Roadmap. This curriculum package is truly unique; the story told by eminent scholar and historian Dr. William J. Bennett, and curricular applications developed by exemplary educators who are noted American History experts.
More than unique, the curriculum package is also usable and relevant. As students of this generation increasingly disconnect from traditional textbooks, the Roadmap meets them where they already are—in cyberspace. The key student component of the Roadmap is a password-protected, interactive website including interactive maps and thematic audio Podcasts from Dr. Bennett himself, introducing the chapters and telling stories that extend beyond the chapter information.
Additionally, there are study aids that will assist students in organizing and learning the material and for assisting them in preparation for state and Advanced Placement examinations.
Also included are:
*key terms and topics
*major historical events
*timelines
*pre-screened hyperlinks
*biographies of major figures
*videos
*mnemonics for memory aids
*primary sources
*and much more.
For teachers, there is their own site with resources and instructional support of how to most effectively teach the content and use the curriculum materials, which include essays, debate topics, graphical timelines, PowerPoint presentations, plays, and lesson plans.
Volume I: 1492 – 1914
In this sweeping tale of human initiative, struggle and victory, Dr. Bennett captures what is unique about America. With riveting stories about presidents, senators, first ladies and inventors, this is no ordinary textbook. From tales about a presidential pardon for over two hundred Sioux warriors to an ex-president’s race to complete his best-selling memoirs, Dr. Bennett doesn’t just report history, he puts readers right in the middle of the action.
- Do you know who quelled a coup d’etat by putting on a pair of reading glasses?
- How about the famous inventor who was called to help find the assassin’s bullet in President Garfield’s back?
- Which U.S. senator was nearly caned to death on the Senate floor?
- And what of the president who spared over 200 condemned Sioux warriors from the hangman’s noose?
This is our history told through the compelling narratives which relate the facts through people and places.
Now….drumroll, please…here is the review of America: The Last Best Hope provided by my astute father, or "master encyclopedia" as my children call him!
Gary's Review: America: The Last Best Hope
GUEST REVIEW by Dr. Gary Underhill
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, Volume 1:
From the Age of Discovery to a World at War
[That is, Columbus to World War I---Reviewer]
Author: William J. Bennett
William J. Bennett chose to start his history of the United States with a relatively short review of the times and voyages of Christopher Columbus, of the scramble of Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England for “Empire” or settlements in the New World, and of the Rise of England to become a sea power (after the defeat of the Spanish Armada).
These background chapters identify the driving forces which came to bear on the establishment of the English North American colonies--religion (primarily Protestantism), English culture (including English law and legislature traditions), and sea-borne commerce. With this introduction, Bennett discusses the political, religious, and commercial forces—in England, France, and Spain—which forged the basis for English settlements in Virginia and in New England.
Bennett describes the dichotomy which the founding of Virginia (1610) and the founding of Massachusetts Bay (1620) colonies exposed—investment for great rewards by adventurers from the landed classes in England (in the former) and seeking refuge from religious persecution by educated and pious Protestants (in the latter). Although Bennett does not identify these two forces in English North America as forging a serious division between “north” and “south” right from the beginning of settlement, Virginia led to growing tobacco, a slave system, and a few large land ownerships (plantations) while Massachusetts Bay led to many land-owning small farmers, fishermen, and shop owners. From the early days of both colonies, the parliamentary system of government (as found in England) became established, but in both Virginia and in Massachusetts Bay (as in all of the other, later colonies), a “constitution” or charter or compact defined the colonial government, the powers of its legislature, and the rights of participation (men who were land owners and businessmen) in elections—unlike in England where no formal “constitution” existed.
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, describes the religious foundations of the Massachusetts Bay colony and the intensity that religious belief played in this colony. Later, at the time of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution of the United States, the deep religious foundations of New England and Pennsylvania would both clash with and compliment the more worldly, humanitarian view of the Virginians, especially Jefferson (a great believer in the enlightenment).
Bennett carefully portrays the writing of the Constitution, the Presidencies of Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. He illustrates the restraint and precedent-setting acts of Washington, the stormy presidency of John Adams, and the territorial-expansive presidency of Thomas Jefferson, noting the contributions made during each in establishing not only the legal direction of the federal government, but also the “traditions” which grew during each.
With respect to the causes of the Civil War, Bennett makes the mistake of most historians—there were other serious causal issues than just slavery:
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, is written in a “novel” style—an attempt to step away from the dates, wars, and events—the dull scenario—of most history books and to give pleasure, to educate, and to entertain the reader with respect to his country’s story, greatness, and exceptionalism. Further, Bennett sets out to allow the reader to take pleasure and pride in his country’s past, people, founders, and leaders. Bennett certainly achieves the results which he sets out to accomplish. AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, is very worthy of consideration as a High School text book. It certainly excels in comparison to those texts the reviewer (a history buff) had in High School, read in college, and has added to his library over time.
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, Volume 1:
From the Age of Discovery to a World at War
[That is, Columbus to World War I---Reviewer]
Author: William J. Bennett
William J. Bennett chose to start his history of the United States with a relatively short review of the times and voyages of Christopher Columbus, of the scramble of Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England for “Empire” or settlements in the New World, and of the Rise of England to become a sea power (after the defeat of the Spanish Armada).
These background chapters identify the driving forces which came to bear on the establishment of the English North American colonies--religion (primarily Protestantism), English culture (including English law and legislature traditions), and sea-borne commerce. With this introduction, Bennett discusses the political, religious, and commercial forces—in England, France, and Spain—which forged the basis for English settlements in Virginia and in New England.
Bennett describes the dichotomy which the founding of Virginia (1610) and the founding of Massachusetts Bay (1620) colonies exposed—investment for great rewards by adventurers from the landed classes in England (in the former) and seeking refuge from religious persecution by educated and pious Protestants (in the latter). Although Bennett does not identify these two forces in English North America as forging a serious division between “north” and “south” right from the beginning of settlement, Virginia led to growing tobacco, a slave system, and a few large land ownerships (plantations) while Massachusetts Bay led to many land-owning small farmers, fishermen, and shop owners. From the early days of both colonies, the parliamentary system of government (as found in England) became established, but in both Virginia and in Massachusetts Bay (as in all of the other, later colonies), a “constitution” or charter or compact defined the colonial government, the powers of its legislature, and the rights of participation (men who were land owners and businessmen) in elections—unlike in England where no formal “constitution” existed.
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, describes the religious foundations of the Massachusetts Bay colony and the intensity that religious belief played in this colony. Later, at the time of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution of the United States, the deep religious foundations of New England and Pennsylvania would both clash with and compliment the more worldly, humanitarian view of the Virginians, especially Jefferson (a great believer in the enlightenment).
Bennett carefully portrays the writing of the Constitution, the Presidencies of Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. He illustrates the restraint and precedent-setting acts of Washington, the stormy presidency of John Adams, and the territorial-expansive presidency of Thomas Jefferson, noting the contributions made during each in establishing not only the legal direction of the federal government, but also the “traditions” which grew during each.
With respect to the causes of the Civil War, Bennett makes the mistake of most historians—there were other serious causal issues than just slavery:
- Economic issues (import duties and demands of northern industrialists for protection within southern markets, for instance)
- religious issues (a religious awakening of the 1830s and 1840s impacted the South much more than the North
- splits in denominations as the Baptists [American/Southern-1845], Methodists [North/South, 1844/45], and Presbyterians [North/South, 1861] because of “modernism” in the mostly northern seminaries, attitudes toward inerrancy of “Scripture”, and the view of “missions”)
- growing Northern industrialization while the South remained primarily agricultural
- the growth of the federal government
- the “observed” federal intrusion into the constitutional area of “states’ rights” (“…powers not granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states were retained by the states or by the people”, the Tenth Amendment).
Bennett also fails to point out that all of the South’s complaints became intensified because of, and after, the Civil War—government became bigger, the federal government impacted “states’ rights” more, the North industrialized rapidly during the War, and slavery was abolished, further impacting the already war-devastated southern economy.
AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, is written in a “novel” style—an attempt to step away from the dates, wars, and events—the dull scenario—of most history books and to give pleasure, to educate, and to entertain the reader with respect to his country’s story, greatness, and exceptionalism. Further, Bennett sets out to allow the reader to take pleasure and pride in his country’s past, people, founders, and leaders. Bennett certainly achieves the results which he sets out to accomplish. AMERICA, The Last Best Hope, is very worthy of consideration as a High School text book. It certainly excels in comparison to those texts the reviewer (a history buff) had in High School, read in college, and has added to his library over time.
DISCLOSURE: While I will never be paid to write a product review (gasp!), I did accept a free copy of America: The Last Best Hope for me to use in our home and then write an unbiased review.
