Reviewed by Vicki Carver

Anyone who watches nightly news programs on a regular basis knows that the United States is a country full of people who constantly debate each other on many diverse issues ranging from politics to SUV’s.

A new book has been compiled by Caroline Kennedy called A Patriot’s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love. This book attempts to address the ideals which make us uniquely American and how we ultimately interpret these ideals.

A Patriot’s Handbook is divided into sections including writings about “The Flag”, “Portraits of Americans”, “Freedom”, “The Individual” and “War and Peace”. In these and other categories are various forms of writing from a wide array of authors, some famous and others not-so-famous. There are also photographs included in the book which help the reader understand what has made our country a beloved homeland for so many in the past 225 years.

One of the writings included in A Patriot’s Handbook was written by Margaret Chase Smith in a speech she presented to the U. S. Congress on June 1, 1950. In the speech, found on page 241, Smith proclaimed that the basic principles of Americanism include: “the right to criticize”, “the right to hold unpopular beliefs”, “the right to protest”, and “the right of independent thought”.

As we listen to the news and try to interpret what we believe is the right course for our country to follow, A Patriot’s Handbook could be a useful reference source for any American. It is a book which could be read from cover to cover or by choosing selected readings which would be relevant to the reader. In any event, A Patriot’s Handbook could aid anyone in developing a better appreciation for our wonderful country.