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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Dan Rather is a familiar voice and face of American television and culture. A prominent reporter and anchor of CBS news since Eisenhower's presidency, Rather has seen America at her best and worst. In a season of increasing divisiveness and fear, perhaps we've forgotten what it means to be American before we are Democrat or Republican. Sound like a nationalistic cry we've been afraid of? Not quite. In a calm cry of normalcy, Rather begins by explaining the differences between nationalism and patriotism.
I was so engrossed in this I forgot to review each essay as I typically do. This was incredible. I liked four of the five sections. I thought the section on Exploration was underdeveloped and unnecessary. Organizationally, this was super strong. Thematically, this made me cry and feel hopeful and feel proud of this nation for all of its faults and successes.
Also, the product was wonderful. The jacket was thematic and beautiful (Jim Tierney and Anne Winslow) and the font, chapter headings, and page size were surprisingly cozy, inviting, and appropriate.
I was so engrossed in this I forgot to review each essay as I typically do. This was incredible. I liked four of the five sections. I thought the section on Exploration was underdeveloped and unnecessary. Organizationally, this was super strong. Thematically, this made me cry and feel hopeful and feel proud of this nation for all of its faults and successes.
Also, the product was wonderful. The jacket was thematic and beautiful (Jim Tierney and Anne Winslow) and the font, chapter headings, and page size were surprisingly cozy, inviting, and appropriate.
I have been meaning to read this since it was published. Alas, it kept getting forgotten and/or pushed down on my TBR. But on July 1, looking at another July 4 coming up, I decided to finally crack open this title. I say crack open but actually, I pressed play and read it via audio. Rather reads it himself and I find him to be such a delight anyway that I knew reading it via his literal voice was going to be great. I was not disappointed.
Rather's title about what unites us is a series of thoughtful, insightful, and educational essays on the great experiment called democracy we live in here in the United States. His many years in journalism and on the front lines of major national events have given Rather a perspective and opportunity to see America from many vantage points. He writes his essays from those various perspectives as well as his personal experiences.
I highly recommend this title regardless of what side of the aisle you sit on - for what unites us should be and can be, so much stronger and more important than a party line.
Rather's title about what unites us is a series of thoughtful, insightful, and educational essays on the great experiment called democracy we live in here in the United States. His many years in journalism and on the front lines of major national events have given Rather a perspective and opportunity to see America from many vantage points. He writes his essays from those various perspectives as well as his personal experiences.
I highly recommend this title regardless of what side of the aisle you sit on - for what unites us should be and can be, so much stronger and more important than a party line.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Although I grew up with Dan Rather at the anchor desk, it’s really been in the last few years on social media that I’ve come to see him as the national treasure that he is. A calming, steady presence during these tumultuous times. This was the right book in my hands this week with Election Day and the following days of waiting.
“It is true that the news headlines often paint a dark and dispiriting picture. But in every community, on every day, there are so many who choose to do the right thing.”
“I remind myself and others that we have been through big challenges in the past, that it often seems darkest in the present.”
“If we stand firm in our better values, do not shy away from challenging injustice, and can talk to one another rather than past one another, I am confident we can find the common ground that unites us.”
“It is true that the news headlines often paint a dark and dispiriting picture. But in every community, on every day, there are so many who choose to do the right thing.”
“I remind myself and others that we have been through big challenges in the past, that it often seems darkest in the present.”
“If we stand firm in our better values, do not shy away from challenging injustice, and can talk to one another rather than past one another, I am confident we can find the common ground that unites us.”
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Very weird reading this after the second election of he who shall not be named. Rather provides fantastic insight (no surprise there) and although a lot has changed since this was published in 2017, a lot of it is the same. But still, Rather provides a glimmer of hope in a dark world.
Following Dan Rather on social media, I had high expectations for this book. The title and the back cover are extremely promising, after all. He has experienced and witnessed so many major events in this country and around the world. Alas, I found the book to be a disappointment. I was looking for some common threads of honor and love of neighbor to cling to in divisive times, which he offers in spades on his social media platforms.
This is a book that is well worth reading. Although I had hoped for a bit more of a deep dive into Rather's experiences that led to the core beliefs described, this book is meant to be more of an overview of What Unites Us and a guide as to how we can work toward that goal.
"Ultimately, democracy is an action more than a belief."
While much of these essays seemed a bit like preaching to the choir, Rather does a wonderful job of relating his childhood and young adult experiences to the values he extols. As a millennial, very little of my belief systems had been looked at from that perspective (aka before my late 80s experiences) and they provided a backdrop that helped me to challenge a number of my own biases about older generations' politics. One portion that particularly resonated with me was the essay on service. Having proudly participated in Teach for America, an experience that was truly transformative for me, I was exhilarated to see Rather putting emphasis on community based service instead of only military service, as happens so often. "That is the benefit of service: it tends to humanize you. People can disagree politically and philosophically on all issues that confront our nation, but if more elected officials had served in causes other than their own advancement, I believe they would approach their jobs with less certainty in their own assumptions and more sympathy for the needs of others. It matter not whether it's in the military, the Peace Corps, the many programs of AmeriCorps, social services, or legal aid. It's about the values that drive a person to help by joining a mission they is bigger than they are."
"Ultimately, democracy is an action more than a belief."
While much of these essays seemed a bit like preaching to the choir, Rather does a wonderful job of relating his childhood and young adult experiences to the values he extols. As a millennial, very little of my belief systems had been looked at from that perspective (aka before my late 80s experiences) and they provided a backdrop that helped me to challenge a number of my own biases about older generations' politics. One portion that particularly resonated with me was the essay on service. Having proudly participated in Teach for America, an experience that was truly transformative for me, I was exhilarated to see Rather putting emphasis on community based service instead of only military service, as happens so often. "That is the benefit of service: it tends to humanize you. People can disagree politically and philosophically on all issues that confront our nation, but if more elected officials had served in causes other than their own advancement, I believe they would approach their jobs with less certainty in their own assumptions and more sympathy for the needs of others. It matter not whether it's in the military, the Peace Corps, the many programs of AmeriCorps, social services, or legal aid. It's about the values that drive a person to help by joining a mission they is bigger than they are."
So hopeful and uplifting in a time when it has been hard to hold on to those feelings.
An inspiring book based on the lessons learned and thoughts from a storied career that has taken Mr. Rather all around the world. From his childhood in Houston to his time with CBS News and beyond, Rather's essays evoke courage, steadiness, and patriotism throughout.
I very much enjoyed these essays with the general theme of patriotism, expressed in sub-headings Freedom, Community, Exploration, Responsibility, and Character. Each section contains three essays which draw upon Rather's experiences as a reporter and in life. While I agreed with some of Rather's thoughts, other writings just made me think about things from a different perspective, or pointed out historic events that I did not know or had forgotten. Many childhood stories are referenced, giving me a glimpse into another era. The book is hopeful, optomistic and for me, was a pleasure to read.
"We do not feel sorry for them," my mother said sternly. "We understand how they feel." (95)
Who said this? (about immigration)
"I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and who have lived here even though sometime back they may have entered illegally." (119)
Answer: Candidate Ronald Reagan in a presidential debate with Walter Mondale.
"Still, libraries represent an aspirational notion of democracy. They were, and still are, civic institutions that welcom anyone who wished to become a more informed and independent citizen...In books we can find expert and trustworthy scholarship on any subject imaginable. By reading books, we cn continually challenge our own biases and learn beyond our level of formal education. (142)
I learned that, with two very different education systems Finland and Singapore have highly acclaimed schools. "In Finland, children spend less time in class than almost any other developed country. They are given tremendous amounts of freedom and have very little homework. Public schools cater to everyone; there are almost no private schools in the country."....In Singapore... "schools are strict and rigid." Standardized tests "form the basis of the educational system...more than 90% of Singaporean students get private tutoring after school or on weekends to prepare." (202)[for the standardized tests}..."...bothe Finland and Singapore have a rigorous commitment from their national governments to make quality schools, evenly distributed in their population, a top priority." And "Schoolteachers are held in high esteem in both countries, and they get a lot of training and support." (203)
"We do not feel sorry for them," my mother said sternly. "We understand how they feel." (95)
Who said this? (about immigration)
"I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and who have lived here even though sometime back they may have entered illegally." (119)
Answer: Candidate Ronald Reagan in a presidential debate with Walter Mondale.
"Still, libraries represent an aspirational notion of democracy. They were, and still are, civic institutions that welcom anyone who wished to become a more informed and independent citizen...In books we can find expert and trustworthy scholarship on any subject imaginable. By reading books, we cn continually challenge our own biases and learn beyond our level of formal education. (142)
I learned that, with two very different education systems Finland and Singapore have highly acclaimed schools. "In Finland, children spend less time in class than almost any other developed country. They are given tremendous amounts of freedom and have very little homework. Public schools cater to everyone; there are almost no private schools in the country."....In Singapore... "schools are strict and rigid." Standardized tests "form the basis of the educational system...more than 90% of Singaporean students get private tutoring after school or on weekends to prepare." (202)[for the standardized tests}..."...bothe Finland and Singapore have a rigorous commitment from their national governments to make quality schools, evenly distributed in their population, a top priority." And "Schoolteachers are held in high esteem in both countries, and they get a lot of training and support." (203)