Former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin discusses cultural attacks on Christianity, specifically on the holiday Christmas, in the guise of political correctness. She weaves in stories featuring her own family in or around the holiday. I began reading the e-book, but quickly decided it would work better in audio format with Palin reading it herself. I switched. Reaction to the book will largely fall along political party lines and views of Christianity. I doubt anyone would change their perspective. I am glad I did not read it at Christmas because it might take a little joy out of the season. ( )

Really good book about preserving the true meaning of Christmas. Sarah Palin, in her fun and witty way, just basically tells us not to be bullied by others and to fight back. Fight smart. It's conversational and amusing. A quick read, but a good one. ( )

Sarah Palin's plea resonates with a lot of us who are distressed to see the doctrine of diversity, respect for minority faiths, used not to promote their inclusion, but to repudiate and exclude the practice of the Christian faith in the public square. She cites multiple examples from cases filed by "Angry Atheists with Lawyers," (title of chapter 1), to enforce this.

Municipalities and public school boards capitulate all too often to avoid costly court cases. Though traditionally American courts have not recognized a right not to be offended, some courts have made an exception for those offended by a religious expression with which they disagree. So Nativity scenes are removed from Court House lawns, a cross is deemed offensive in the 9/11 Museum display, and Christ-centered songs are removed from Christmas programs. In fact the programs are renamed as Winter, or perhaps Holiday Programs.

Ms. Palin makes the case that Christians must step up and protect the heart of Christmas from the offended atheists and lists some ways to do it. She also expounds on some of the reasons why. She writes movingly about the true meaning of Christmas, which is "grit, it's mercy, it's vulnerability," as she recalls the ultimate sacrifice of a King who lowers himself into the helpless position of infancy so that he can die to redeem the people he loves. Pondering this helps us "admit when we do wrong, accept forgiveness, and to face any hardship that comes our way." Secondly, she emphasizes how devastating to a child's view of God it can be, when parents accept the censorship of the schools over something as simple as a song, or a Christmas message attached to a candy cane.

Incorporating the traditions her parents started and the ones she and her husband created with their own children, she recalls fondly past Christmas celebrations, several memories of her political life as mayor, governor and vice-presidential candidate, and even uses Charles Dickens' ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, to help us discover ways to "keep Christmas well."

Her conversational style and wit moves her message forward effectively, and she includes a few photos and even family recipes to round out the picture of the Joy of the Christmas Season. ( )