Why America Doesn't Work/Audio Cassettes

Rating:
Summary: A down-to earth look at challenges Americans are not facing
Review: This book is easy reading - I read it in a day or two and enjoyed it thoroughly. It caused me to question some things I take for granted and affirmed things that I have felt. My generation is picking up where the previous one left off - not feeling any sense of moral obligation towards anyone. Some of the money spent on studies to find out why American companies are less competitive should be spent on copies of this book and placed on every worker's desk

Rating:
Summary: Informative and Educational
Review: What happened to the once strong work ethic in America? This book seeks to answer that question by looking at long term trends and assumptions of workers that has resulted in societal changes in this country.
Work has broader ramifications than one might initially think. We're told "For better or worse, our work defines us." They go on to make the argument successfully for this statement. Work has a "purposeful nature" they write and add that "meaningful work is a fundamental dimension of human existence, an expression of our very nature."
Consequently, by talking about the work ethic of the United States, they're talking about larger issues, issues that pertain to who we are.

Included in this book are some particularly interesting historical asides. For example, Johann Sebastian Bach inscribed "SDG" on his compositions, meaning "Sola Deo Gloria" (to the glory of God alone).

The work ethic of the nation's founders was based on Christian teachings. "To ignore the religious roots of the work ethic is to ignore the clear evidence of history," they write.

Work requires effort. Obtaining an education is work. "Knowledge is not acquired by osmosis, but by discipline and hard work," we're reminded.

Not only did I find this book to be informative, but I was inspired by it. Working for an audience of One. Doing work as unto God, as the Bible teaches adds a dimension that can find significance no where else. The Reformation brought this realization back to the attention of workers. No job is insignificant if done as unto Him. That's the message of this book.