Patriotism in America (Democracy in Action)

Leinwand, Gerald

ISBN 10: 0531113108 ISBN 13: 9780531113103

Publisher: Franklin Watts, 1997

Synopsis

Examines some of the elements of the unifying phenomenon of patriotism in the United States

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7 Up. As in Heroism in America (Watts, 1996), Leinwand examines how the unique development of our nation has contributed to a democratic way of defining leadership and nationalism. The author tries to emphasize that while other countries have been formed on the basis of a common race, ethnic heritage, or religion, the United States has been founded on the broad ideals of liberty, justice, and freedom. However, history shows that in practice, many groups in our society have suffered from discrimination and intolerance. Hence, most of the symbols, myths, monuments, and holidays discussed and pictured in the book are based on very traditional themes and stereotypical images such as the Pilgrims at Thanksgiving and a classroom of Caucasian students pledging allegiance to the flag in the 1950s. The most challenging aspect is the use of case studies to introduce controversial issues such as flag burning, the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, and the Vietnam Memorial, which have not been uniformly accepted and yet are a part of our identity. In the end, the author is concerned that "multiculturalism" threatens to pull Americans apart and hopes that a nation mainly descended from diverse immigrants can continue to find the commonalities that have served to unify us. Written in a style that is somewhat dry, this book has a limited audience.?Janet Woodward, Franklin High School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Gr. 6^-9. Writing a book on patriotism in these cynical times is like walking a tightrope: how do you balance our founding fathers' stirring rhetoric about freedom against a history pockmarked with slavery and the slaughter of Native Americans? Leinwand takes the high road, devoting most of his book to upbeat lessons in American political philosophy and the exploration of patriotic symbols and holidays. Brief references to our not-so-glorious past appear in separate case studies, among them, one about the Alamo that deals with the conflict between the national myth and the actual history. Leinwand gets to the real heart of things in the closing chapter, which points out the contradiction today: patriotism asks that we believe in a national creed of freedom and opportunity, at the same time confronting us with our failure at living up to our ideals. Notes, a brief reading list, and black-and-white photos are included. Randy Meyer

About this edition

• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0531113108
• ISBN 13: 9780531113103
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176