Sunday, July 12, 2020

Two Books That Give Me Hope

I’m now in my fourth month of listening to unabridged nonfiction books by American historians. With so much from which to choose, where did I start back in April? 

With Jon Meacham’s The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels.I had read a number of reviews of his book. The Newsday reviewer expressed what nearly every other reviewer said. That is, 

Meacham, by chronicling the nation’s struggles from revolutionary times to current day, makes the resonant argument that America has faced division before—and not only survived it but thrived. . . . Meacham believes the nation will move beyond Trump because, in the end, as they have shown on vital issues before, Americans embrace their better angels. This book stands as a testament to that choice—a reminder that the country has a history of returning to its core values of freedom and equality after enduring periods of distraction and turmoil.

In reading the book, I met a number of presidents who’d faced situations that called for mature thinking, a well-developed moral compass, and tested integrity. These presidents had brought a majority of Americans to an acceptance of our founding ideals so that our country could truly become “more perfect.” 

Note that the Constitutiondoes not say that we are going “to form a perfect Union.” Those who drafted the document knew that was impossible. So they said, “to form a more perfect Union” that will bring the “blessings of liberty” not only to the first generation of patriots but also to their posterity. To us. And to those beyond us.

It is up to all of us to keep working on the “more.” 

Meacham’s book is the first to which I listened. He doesn’t overtly compare those past presidents with President Trump. But for this reader, the comparison was painfully obvious. As the years have passed since my protest days of Vietnam, I’ve become more and more disillusioned about the possibility of our country surviving its deepening partisanship. However, Meacham’s book helped me believe that even as fractured as we have become, we the people will ultimately call on the “better angels” within us to embrace the Oneness that unites us in a common good. 


The next book I listened to was 1776 by David McCullough. Every person who proclaims his or her “right” not to wear a mask needs to read this book. In fact, all of us can profit from the history lesson that 1776 provides. 

Right now, life is scary here in the United States. (At least I’ve found it so.) But both McCullough’s and Meacham’s book illustrate the cycle of history. That is, the ups and downs, the flattening of the curve of those peaks and valleys, and the will of a people to return to the ideals that are foundational to what it means to be an American. 

As I’ve witnessed the peaceful protesting of George Floyd’s murder and seen that protest impaired, in some minds, by both white and black looters, I have often thought that the Black Lives Matter movement and the struggle to end systematic racism are another example of an American Revolution. I see many parallels today between the divergent views expressed by those on Facebook in 2020 and the strongly held and differing views of the patriots and Tories of 1776.

Change is risky—and scary. It calls us to new thoughts and realizations. It asks us to let go of some of our most treasured shibboleths. Those that, perhaps, have given us a sense of security all our lives. Many feel, I believe, that their lives are being threatened and becoming unmoored. Who are they to believe? What are they to believe?

These two books are helping me live my belief that all shall be well. That the arc of our history leads to Oneness. 

Peace.

21 comments:

  1. Loved your reviews and insight. I have had Meacham's book in my radar. Your review put it on my Wish List. I hope your last paragraph pans out to be true.

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    1. Dear Jean, it's an excellent book as his writing is so clear and accessible. And 1776 taught me so much I didn't know about the Revolution. I've been so woefully ignorant of that time. Peace.

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  2. Thank you.
    I find the world a scary place at the moment and hope that all indeed shall be well.

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    1. Dear Sue, let's hope together that we can all unite in a common use that affects each and everyone of us. Take care. Stay safe. Please. Peace.

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  3. I think we are all scared and not only because of the horrible virus which is affecting everyone in different ways. In the beginning, I thought there would be some good coming from all this suffering, that we would be a better country, that empathy would replace selfishness. I am much less optimistic now. The division, which come from the top is poisonous.

    I have seen both those authors on TV. Their books point out that our country has always had its problems and we have made it thru. They didn’t have Trump though. He is pure evil and I fear so for my children and grandchildren.

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    1. Dear Arlene, he is, clearly, a sick man caught, I believe, in early adolescence with himself the center of everything. We all exist, I think he believes, to praise and glorify him. All I can do about this is do what I can to get out the vote. And to get Congress to do something about voting by mail---and do it now. Not next month, but NOW! Peace.

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  4. Wonderful review, Dee. I have a hard time being that concise, especially when I really like a book! Like many others, I too am struggling to keep hope alive and appreciate you sharing these resources.

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    1. Dear Cynthia, you note that I was able to be concise by using that review! As we all know from the comments I leave, I tend to be wordy! Both books are worth the time it takes to read or listen to them. In my next posting, in two weeks, I"m going to suggest two novels that might be helpful. Peace.

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  5. We are in such difficult times now with an uncaring, incompetent leader. I do hope Meacham is correct and we do listen to our "better angels" in November.

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    1. Dear Patti, yes, you know Michael Shaara wrote a historical novel about the Battle of Gettysburg called "Killer Angels." And I think Lincoln uses the words "better angels" in either his second inaugural address or his Gettysburg address. (FYI: Shaara won a Pulitzer for his novel, and it's considered possibly one of the top three historicals of the 20th century. I've read it or listened to it five times.) Well I'm rattling on here. So one last thing: I so agree with uncaring and incompetent. I wonder if his parents showed him what caring means. He's like someone who grew up with no good role models. Peace.

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  6. I too pray that our 'better angels' will prevail.

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    1. Dear Rian, yes, that must be our prayer. Peace.

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  7. I have to believe in our better angels. These books sound uplifting, Dee. :)

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    1. Dear Rita, they are "uplifting" and I needed to be reminded that we have a history of ups and downs. The problem for me is that even if he goes away (and I so hope he won't be re-elected!) so many people believe in him and in the things he's said. He seems to want to show all of us that democracy doesn't work. Peace.

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  8. "May love overcome and justice roll down."

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    1. Dear Joanne, yes from every mountaintop. Peace.

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  9. Sounds like a book I would like I have a love of history

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    1. Dear Jo-Anne, both of these books taught me so much about the history of the United States. I fear my education has not covered that history well. Peace.

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  10. Thank you so much for the two books I must read. Right now I am reading Mary Trump's book and I am truly needing something to balance what I'm learning about the scary person who is our current president. Meacham's book will be my next read. Thank you!

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    1. Dear DJan, I didn't read John Bolton's book because the reviews, in general, seemed to indicate that it was "sour grapes." But I had thought I might read Mary Trump's book because it seems to me that Trump's family/childhood must explain so much of the dysfunction we've witnessed. Peace.

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  11. Hope is essential for living peaceful life dear Dee and this is great that you are able to find it through reflection of other hopeful faithful brains

    It seems am walking on the edge of wall between two worlds ,one is ugly and makes me sad with disappointment though other keeps me fill with hope

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