How do you describe America? Not the land or the topography but the people. The people created the vision of America. They wrote the documents that officially “made America.” They fought the battles, both literal and figurative. The differences, the ability to discuss those differences, the ability afforded in America to “make something of yourself”. People ARE America. So, why then is America having such difficulty and why is there so much fighting amongst Americans and those who love this country?
Dr. Benjamin Carson, a world-renown pediatric neurosurgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, has written a beautiful manuscript challenging each of us to know more. In reading America the Beautiful I have learned more about America’s past, government, and ideals than I learned in all my schooling years combined. This book is rich with information, ideas, and solutions. Your head will swim with thoughts and your heart will be full of appreciation for the men who dreamed enough to set a worthy vision up for our country.
Only through the careful study of historical documents can we
prevent the distortion of where we came from and who
we are as a nation. p. 50
Dr. Carson address some very challenging issues in his book. But he doesn’t just talk about the issues. He gives us the history of the issues and information to consider. He then does what many people today do not – he gives ideas for solutions to the issues. He presents plans that can make our country stronger for today and into the future. Some of the issues Dr. Carson addresses:
- America’s history
- Who Americans are
- Are we a Judeo-Christian nation or not?
- Capitalism
- Socialism
- Morality
- Education
- Healthcare
- and much, much more.
Our founding fathers set a pretty high standard. I didn’t know just how high until I began reading Dr. Carson’s book. Dr. Carson shares the sources he quotes from and discusses. That list has made my own reading list grow. And grow. I have so many new titles that I want to read now so that I can know for myself what our founding fathers dreamed of. Not just what the textbooks taught.
We must be careful not to allow those who like to rewrite
history to silence the voices of those God-fearing
visionaries who founded America. p 61
I have been deeply impressed with this book. I had a great desire to read it. This is the first of his books that I have read but I have been hearing about Dr. Carson for a while now. He stands for so much of what America is about. Dr. Carson has “pulled himself up by his bootstrings” as we often say in America.
He was brought up by a mother who knew the value of education and working hard. She didn’t let her sons get by with feeling sorry for themselves because of their lot in life. She desired to change their lot in life. She worked hard and in doing so, gave authority to herself in insisting that her sons work hard to change their lots in life. Dr. Carson and his brother took her example and hard work to heart and they did change their social positions. Without taking handouts from the government. That is actually a big deal because they were surrounded by others who did. But she knew what she wanted and her vision grew in her sons. And they reached higher and higher to grasp the bar she set. Then they set their own bars high and worked to grasp them. This is the story of America. They are the example of America. No wonder Dr. Carson desires for our nation to rethink where we came from and where we are going.
My vision has been challenged and I am thankful for that. I encourage you to pick up a copy his book, or any of his other titles, and allow yourself to see the America the Beautiful our founding fathers saw and Dr. Carson brings back to light. At Home.
I am delighted to offer you the opportunity to win a copy of Dr. Benjamin Carson’s America the Beautiful. Family Christian will send one reader a softback copy of this book. Click the link below to be taken to the Rafflecopter form for the giveaway.
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Tagged: books, education, Family Christian, giveaways, history, reviews
At Home 
The best thing about America is the freedom we have, as long as we stop giving our liberty away.
Religious freedom is my favorite thing about America.
We have the opportunity to improve our lives.
The freedoms we have and the ideals on which the country was founded.
haha I recently had a giveaway of Carson’s Think Big and Gifted Hands! My favorite thing about America is the ability to become rich if you’re willing to work for it, regardless of religion or nationality.