AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “I find myself thinking deeply about what it means to love America, as I surely do.” –Dan Rather At a moment of crisis over our national identity, venerated journalist Dan Rather has emerged as a voice of reason and integrity, reflecting on–and writing passionately about–what it means to be an American. Now, with this collection of original essays, he … collection of original essays, he reminds us of the principles upon which the United States was founded. Looking at the freedoms that define us, from the vote to the press; the values that have transformed us, from empathy to inclusion to service; the institutions that sustain us, such as public education; and the traits that helped form our young country, such as the audacity to take on daunting challenges in science and medicine, Rather brings to bear his decades of experience on the frontlines of the world’s biggest stories. As a living witness to historical change, he offers up an intimate view of history, tracing where we have been in order to help us chart a way forward and heal our bitter divisions.
With a fundamental sense of hope, What Unites Us is the book to inspire conversation and listening, and to remind us all how we are, finally, one.
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A must read for everyone, should be part of middle and high school reading list because every generation should know the history written about in this book.
This is a wonderful collection of 15 essays on what it means to be an American, what unites us, and things to consider. Sadly, I don’t think the people who need to read this will do so.
#WhatUnitesUsReflectionsOnPatriotism
#DanRather
In these days before the 2020 election I have been reading Dan Rather’s What Unites Us, recently released in paperback form.
I was able to join Politics and Prose Bookstore’s Zoom talk with Rather. He was interviewed by Jennifer Steinhauer, whose book The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress I read a few months ago.
Rather lays out the shared values Americans which can become a platform for building consensus in our divided country.
One person, one vote. The freedom of speech, to dissent; freedom of the press–no matter how flawed. The importance of science and knowledge, even if we disagree over specific ideas. Education. Our desire to be an empathetic people.
Rather hopes his book can be a jumping off place for dialogue, starting a much needed conversation.
Rather harkens back to his childhood and draws from his years as a journalist. He first defines patriotism as opposed to nationalism and ends with what it means to be a citizen.
In the Zoom talk, a listener asked Rather if the country has ever been as divided as it is today. He recalled the 1960s when rebellions and nonviolent protests erupted over war and racism. Today, he notes, protests include a broader demographic mix in age, class and ethnicity.
“I’m a reporter who got lucky, very, very lucky,” the eighty-nine-year-old Rather responded to being called a ‘national treasure.’ His tip for aging well? Rather replied luck, genetics, God’s grace, determination, and dedicating one’s life to something bigger than yourself, and finding a life companion who sticks with you through thick and thin.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
Dissent can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it is vital in a democracy.
Like so many others in our country, I journeyed from ignorance to tolerance to inclusion.
Empathy builds community, Communities strengthen a country and its resolve and will to fight back…I worry that our nation today suffers from a deficit of empathy, and this is especially true of many in positions of national leadership.
I remind myself and others that we have been through big challenges in the past, that it often seems darkest in the present. The pendulum of our great nations seems to have swung toward conceit and unsteadiness once again, but it is in our power to wrest it back.
Ultimately, democracy is an action more than a belief. The people’s voice, your voice, must be heard for it to have an effect.
This book was exactly what I needed right now – a clear view of how far we have come and the work to be done, with interesting firsthand accounts of history.
This is an excellent book from a noted newsman. It is well written and kept my interest.
I have always been a “fan” of Dan Rather for his honest reporting. He continues his honesty in this book. It is an inspiration to those of us who are concerned about the current course of our country. It is also a wake-up call to us all, to remember who we are as a country, what values we hold dear and how we should help to chart the course of our country in the kind & humanitarian way we have (usually) been. Rather continues to help us remember our history, even those dark times when freedom was not actually given to all citizens. I see this book as a call to action for those of us who love our country and do not like the lies or scare tactics being used as a means of control. Thank you to Dan Rather.
Great well written book about American values and important traits of its citizens and history. Good detailed and evidence based with authentic records.
I wrote a review for Amazon but I was especially impressed by the vehicle to study history in a personal way. It reminded me of our past and laid out concerns for our present and our future.
Easy read and kept me entertained.
Boring book.
The Land of the Free and the Brave – are we losing it? Have ‘Truth and Justice’ died as The American Way? Dan Rather has only become wiser in his senior years, his writing his clear and easy to read – and powerful. As our country is divided as it hasn’t been for over 150 years, he reminds us of what we have in common and of the things that have made Americans strong. I recommend this book with 5 stars – it inspired me to persist.
I listened to the audio version & very much enjoyed Dan’s (the author) narration.
Global view of historical and current political events shaping USA