America By Heart Signed Edition: Reflections On Family, Faith, And Flag (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I was anxious to read "America By Heart," Sarah Palin's second book. I like Sarah Palin, although I don't think she'll ever be President, since the media has "Dan Quayled" her. I liked her first book, "Going Rogue," which told her story. I didn't enjoy this one as much. It reads more like a series of editorials or campaign speeches. There are personal glimpses into Palin's life, but those are pretty fleeting. And a few caused me to roll my eyes a little: "(Daughter Bristol) engaged in an uplifting, family-oriented show called Dancing with the Stars to challenge herself in a new, fun way." I'm sure it wasn't to become famous or rake in some cash. And, yes, when I think of "family-oriented" shows, DWTS is the first one that pops into my mind! :)Mostly, this book is a series of (admittedly inspiring, at least to me) chapters on why America is great, why Christianity is still important in America, why conservatives shouldn't despair, etc. But there are also many, many long (1 page+) excerpts from speeches/writings of the founders, Martin Luther King, past Presidents, etc. I don't know about you, but when I reach a long excerpt like that in a book, I tend to think blah blah blah and skip it. In this book, that habit would cause you to blah blah through a third of the book.Eh, I'll give it a C+ just because I still like Sarah. I read this book because I'm doing research on the tea party. It's nowhere near as bad as I expected. There are some interesting musings on America's colonial and postcolonial times. However, throughout the book, there is an underlying fear of complexity, and an embracing of simplicity, which I found annoying, even when "Palin" (the book was coauthored by a professional writer) was telling me something I didn't know. She's unable to consider things in a nuanced way, unable to be fair to anyone who disagrees with her. Her discussion of modern politics is one in which all evil is on one side, all good on the other. While some of her points against "the left" have merit, she far too often substitutes quick sound bites for argument. Some of her facts are wrong, too. And nowhere does she lay out an original idea for taking the country forward, or even too many ideas. Cut taxes. Stick to the Constitution. Worship God. Be exceptional, America. It will all work out. I read it at the same time as the Armey/Kibbe book and Rand Paul's book, and the Palin book is easily the worst of the three. Rand Paul actually makes arguments, and Armey/Kibbe actually point out the complexity of some of the tea party positions. Palin's book is only for those who already agree with her, and need to be reinforced in their existing beliefs, never challenged. It's not boring, exactly--the prose isn't bad, and a few of the stories are worth telling. But overall...meh.
What do You think about America By Heart Signed Edition: Reflections On Family, Faith, And Flag (2010)?
Lots of rhetoric but lacking substance, Pailn's latest should only be read by die-hard fans.
—13carvajalc
She is such a great writer and a Patriotic person! Got my vote!
—Dalmelken
Sarah's tribute to America! Palin fans will enjoy it.
—dessyRose
