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jjacobia's review
5.0
I just finished reading this book, and all I can say is wow! I have read all of Chris Stewart books which are fiction and I am impressed with his writing ability. This book opened my eyes to parts of history which were not taught in school. I encourage all to read this book.
pilateschick's review
3.0
I need a hug. History hurts my brain with all its dates and details. Some reviewers complained about the switching from non-fiction to fiction, but I'm not sure I didn't like it. Some of the stories came when my mind needed a break from the numbers.
The book answered a lot of questions, and raised a few. Very thought provoking. It explained why the Constitution stated that all men are created equal, yet didn't abolish the practice of slavery. It did not answer why Washington didn't free his slaves until after his death, and I still want a reasonable explanation. I've seen the slave quarters at Mt. Vernon. Yes, they're nice, but the folks were still his purchased property.
My favorite miracle was the war at Gettysburg. I now want to read everything on Abraham Lincoln. He seemed as much like an apostle as he was a president.
All in all, I recommend it. Throughout, I had an urge to run to the nearest mountain top and belt Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud to Be a American." I wouldn't buy the book, but now I'll have to because I spilled a ginormous cup of water and soaked the life out of it.
The book answered a lot of questions, and raised a few. Very thought provoking. It explained why the Constitution stated that all men are created equal, yet didn't abolish the practice of slavery. It did not answer why Washington didn't free his slaves until after his death, and I still want a reasonable explanation. I've seen the slave quarters at Mt. Vernon. Yes, they're nice, but the folks were still his purchased property.
My favorite miracle was the war at Gettysburg. I now want to read everything on Abraham Lincoln. He seemed as much like an apostle as he was a president.
All in all, I recommend it. Throughout, I had an urge to run to the nearest mountain top and belt Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud to Be a American." I wouldn't buy the book, but now I'll have to because I spilled a ginormous cup of water and soaked the life out of it.
color_girl's review
4.0
This book was amazing. After reading it I felt so blessed and I was just in awe of this world.
villianess's review against another edition
4.0
Although I like this book I think it is a little presumptuous to assume that God was only concerned about creating this country as a blessed land. I believe that God was guiding to the making of a free land to restore his gospel to. It's always easy to look back and pick out moments or periods that you can make seem like divine inspiration. They have been doing such things for years. However great America is, there a a great many people in other countries that have influenced the creation and continuation of a wonderful nation.
If you have a need to justify or boost your faith in a divine being you will be happy reading this book. I however don't need it to know that God is there, cares about the details of my life, can and does guide my life.
If you have a need to justify or boost your faith in a divine being you will be happy reading this book. I however don't need it to know that God is there, cares about the details of my life, can and does guide my life.
bechug's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars...There were some interesting ideas in this book, but I think I would have preferred less historical fiction and more facts.
mthorley23's review against another edition
3.0
Not a terribly well written persuasive book but the subject was interesting nonetheless. I think you would be convinced if you already have similar ideologies as the authors. I agree that these events can be considered miracles and that America is great for the reasons they laid forth but I already held those beliefs. I don't think they produced a strong enough argument to persuade fence sitters or the opposite side. It felt more like storytelling with a conclusion of, "see? A miracle!" Still, it held a rather patriotic view that has reminded me why I am grateful to live here.
kristenbeck's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the author's view on how seven significant events were miracles in saving and shaping America. It makes you realize just how much this country needed to be established and what it's people did with God to accomplish it. A good read if you need some reminders on why you should still love America.
real_life_reading's review against another edition
1.0
I just could not get into this book. First off, the entire book is based on the premise that America is better than everywhere else; while I agree that America is a blessed nation, I don't feel like we're that much cooler than everyone else. The author's seem to correlate a belief in God with why those who founded and helped our country along throughout history as being exceptional. While I can buy that men like the Founder Fathers and Abraham Lincoln were helped out by God, it's hard for me to see how a belief in God made them any greater than others.
The author's also make statements like these (speaking of Christopher Columbus): "On the one hand he is afforded a national holiday. On the other, he is viewed as the raper and destroyer of a paradise. The passion with which his detractors assault Columbus often clouds an honest examination of the man."
I would like to add that the passion with which people defend Christopher Columbus (which the author's do vehemently) often clouds an honest examination. Columbus discovered great things. He also destroyed entire nations of Native Americans. You can't take that stuff lightly.
Speaking of America, the authors go through chapters on Columbus, Jamestown, and half way through a chapter about the creation of the Constitution before they even mention slavery. For something that is such a foundational part of our nation's growth and development through it's first 250 years, to mention it in passing is not really appropriate.
Lastly, the authors tell the story with a mix of historical writing (for which footnotes are barely used, I might add), and first person narrative. I felt it was very jarring to be reading from our modern day prospective, and then suddenly get thrown back into Abraham Lincoln's head. And they aren't very good at first person narration, often using modern day phrases that really puts me off when reading historical fiction.
In short, life is too short to be reading stuff like this. I wouldn't waste my time.
The author's also make statements like these (speaking of Christopher Columbus): "On the one hand he is afforded a national holiday. On the other, he is viewed as the raper and destroyer of a paradise. The passion with which his detractors assault Columbus often clouds an honest examination of the man."
I would like to add that the passion with which people defend Christopher Columbus (which the author's do vehemently) often clouds an honest examination. Columbus discovered great things. He also destroyed entire nations of Native Americans. You can't take that stuff lightly.
Speaking of America, the authors go through chapters on Columbus, Jamestown, and half way through a chapter about the creation of the Constitution before they even mention slavery. For something that is such a foundational part of our nation's growth and development through it's first 250 years, to mention it in passing is not really appropriate.
Lastly, the authors tell the story with a mix of historical writing (for which footnotes are barely used, I might add), and first person narrative. I felt it was very jarring to be reading from our modern day prospective, and then suddenly get thrown back into Abraham Lincoln's head. And they aren't very good at first person narration, often using modern day phrases that really puts me off when reading historical fiction.
In short, life is too short to be reading stuff like this. I wouldn't waste my time.