Under God

Rating:
Summary: GOOD BUT COULD'VE BEEN BETTER
Review: IF YOU LIKED THE JESUS FREAKS BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS ONE. IT HAS GREAT STORIES BUT THERE ARE SOME STORIES THAT DON'T EVEN REFER TO GOD PERIOD. IN SOME STORIES I THOUGHT THIS IS POWERFUL AND IN SOME STORIES I THOUGHT AM I READING A U.S. HISTORY TEXTBOOK? I DID ENJOY A LOT OF THEIR STORIES BUT I HOPE THE NEXT DC TALK BOOK OR TOBY/TAIT BOOK IS NOT LIKE THIS ONE

Rating:
Summary: You have got to be kidding me.
Review: Perhaps their success as Christian rappers and devotional authors has gone to their head, but this wretched book is just unforgiveable. The publishers should be ashamed of even signing this book. It not only gives completely false information about the religious beliefs of its central figures (Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a deist, not an evangelical Christian... if you have any doubts, look up _Thomas Jefferson's Bible_ on this website... it's published by Beacon Press), but it completely revises American history as though it were preordained by God. Give me a break... have these people ever taken an American history class? They might want to think about such problems as

1. Slavery, which is not an incidental chapter in American history
2. The 3/5 rule in the constitution that said black people were 3/5 of a person
3. Women denied the right to vote until 1920
4. Indigenous people denied the right to vote until 1924.
5. The Vietnam war (see especially: My Lai Massacre)
6. The Ludlow Massacre

To pretend that these -- and so many other -- major problems in American history can somehow be overlooked because the founder fathers were (supposedly) Christians is beyond poor historiography... it is dangerous propaganda. These authors would have you believe everything in America was justifiable because of the Christianity of its central actors. Also, the facile treatment of the civil rights movement is just patently ridiculous. Why don't the author's discuss the Christian evangelical faith of Strom Thurmond's Dixiecrats, or George Wallace, or any of the other segregationists who used the Bible to justify Jim Crow?

This book is propaganda, plain and simple, and it is dangerous. I assume the target audience is children who do not know better, but anyone who believes this book's version of history needs to at least go pick up a copy of Howard Zinn's _A People's History of the United States_ and find out what the founding fathers were really up to. This book is one of the worst things I have ever read in my entire life, and the authors should be ashamed of themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Very Powerful Book
Review: This book is a set of short one to three page factual stories of historical events and people. Each one focuses on the positive and on God's place in these events.

For example, one short story was about Daniel Webster and the talk he gave on Plymouth Rock. However, it emphasizes Daniel Webster's belief in God and the role God played in his life.

The book brought home to me the high price that many people have paid for our freedoms. It also brought home to me again, the large part that God played in this Country from the beginning to now.

These are short stories that do not focus on every aspect of each life or event they chose to include in this book. There are books that have been written about each person and each event that goes into greater detail. I will agree the authors overlooked some of the negative aspects of our history. The previous reviewer is correct. However, I do not think that is the point of this book. This book is a celebration of God and the role he has played in this country.

I found this book to be very powerful. It was a strong reminder to me that I have much to be thankful for and much to appreciate in this country. This country has much that is worth protecting. It was a strong reminder to me that God is ever present in our lives and that He has a greater purpose in mind.

Having said that, I did not find that this was an "God-- In your Face" type of book. Rather, through quotes from these historical people and events in history a great story is retold.

Well worth every penny.
Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Triumph and Tragedy: America's Spiritual History
Review: This is a very interesting book to read, as it is really a collection of short stories, historical events, quotes and documents that show America's Spiritual roots. This book is not a feel good effort, but rather shows America in the courage of Black efforts for freedom, the tragedy of the racism legacy, the wisdom of our founding fathers, and countless stories in between.

That America is founded on the principles of the Christian faith is of course historical fact. The top of the Washington monument states in Latin: "Luas Deo", which means "Praise be to God" (Page 154). This and countless other examples of our spiritual roots are found throughout the book. This makes the stories of racial strife even more difficult to read, as we have so many examples of how far we have strayed from our roots.

Of the most powerful depictions are those during the civil rights movement. The book contains dozens of stories, including some detailed depictions of the Birmingham Church bombing and the de-segregation battles fought in Alabama. The story of the courageous Ruby Bridges who attended first grade classes alone and was subjected to countless verbal assaults to do so, is inspiring. Here this brave little girl prayed for those who insulted her as she walked to school surrounded by Federal Marshals. One cannot read this story, without being moved at her courage and faith. (Page 71).

Abraham Lincoln spoke these words many years ago, which ring as true today: "My great concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God's side." (Page 169).

Overall, this is a very good book. The depictions and stories leave no doubt to our roots, our past triumphs and tragedies. Easy to read in short bursts or in one sitting, it is well documented with pages of sources in the bibliography. Highly recommended for all who are proud of our nation, and desire to learn from our past mistakes, and ensure that we live up to our spiritual heritage as a people and as a nation.


Rating:
Summary: Did they walk the walk?
Review: Toby Mac and Michael Tait have penned a history of the United States from the beginning to recent times. These writers attempt to show that the Constitution was meant to portray America as a Christian nation built on Christian principles. From the coming of the Europeans to these shores and the subsequent destruction of the native population plus the decimation of Africans for greed, these authors are able to find the spirit of joy, love and peace in these early settlers. Squanto, a Native American, had been kidnapped and sent to England. When he returned to America, he discovered that the intruders had destroyed his entire village, yet he was able to find forgiveness in his heart and joyfully help the people who settled on land that was formerly his. Phyllis Wheatley, a slave girl owned by good Christian people, became educated and wrote praise poetry for her new country in spite of that country's complicity in ripping her from her family and friends in Africa.

Not mentioned is the fanaticism of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that was engaging in religious persecution and conducting witch trials that influenced the founding fathers desire that there be no state authorized religion. Nor is there any in-depth discussion about how the good Christians who owned such a treasure as Ms. Wheatley weren't compelled by their faith to free her long before she became an adult. Or why Squanto had to endure what he did from such God fearing folks. While it is nice to think that all these people were good Christians, the true meaning of Christianity must be taken into consideration.

It was written in a non-chronological manner that made it easy to read. Footnotes or some other method of letting us know where the information was obtained would have done wonders to authenticate the work. I do wonder what the benefits of a non-revisionist version of history would be like with a vow to do better in the future?

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers