I wanted to read this book because as much as I love history, I tend to read European history & what I know about American history is probably lacking. Though I had read the blurb about the book, what I hold in my hand wasn't what I had pictured, either. I'm not really sure what I had pictured - I think more a traditional book with a beginning, a middle, and an end, and this book isn't it.

You get a one page blurb about each day in the calendar - and each page has a few paragraphs about one particular event, and then a few, one liners about other events also taking place that day.

It's the type of book that, though very interesting, isn't really one you'd sit down & read for a few hours at a time. I found myself picking it up, and reading a few pages at a time. After I read the first couple of months, I jumped around a bit & picked out dates from my own personal history: May 6 (my mother's birthday): the first time Bob Hope performed for the military (ironically, my mother loved Bob Hope, and always thought it was nice he performed for them, though nice isn't quite the right word). September 30th (our wedding anniversary) actually talks about a few events in 1948, leading up to the end of airlifts to help the Berliners cut off from supplies. My grandfather & husband's grandfather bought fought in the war. Each date, that was personal to me or my family, could be tied in to another personal aspect of my life, making the book all the more interesting to read. ( )

Simple. Does what it is supposed to do: offer a day-by-day, patriotic overview of American history on the "On this day..." model. Nifty tid-bits here and there, an end-of-the-month excursus, and an index. No real ideological axes are ground, so it is inoffensive. ( )

The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb
This book is about America and our history. It is well done and each chapter is based on months. January: Flags of the Revolutionary War; February: The History of the Stars and Stripes; March: Fifty All- American Movies; April: Fifty American Quotes; May: Flag Etiquette: Guidelines for Displaying and Handling the U. S. Flag; June: How the Declaration of Independence was Written and Signed and The Declaration of Independence; July: How the Constitution Was Written and Ratified, The Constitution of the United States, The Bill of Rights and Amendments of the U.S.; August: The Gettysburg Address, The Emancipation Proclamation, The Pledge of Allegiance and The American's Creed; September: Songs of American Patriotism; October: Poems of the American Patriotism; November: Faith and the Founders and December: State Flags, Facts and Symbols.
There are Daily Readings and each had meanings. A lot of research has gone into this book and the reader will find so much of American History in the book.
At the end of each chapter is a calendar of some events. December 7, for example, has "1787 Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the U. S. constitution" and 1805: "Lewis and Clark camp near the mouth of the Columbus River at a site that becomes Fort Clatsop; their winter quarters".
Before the chapters begin there are Twelve Great Reasons to Love a Great Country on pages xx-xxiii. Prayers by a number of our Presidents and people in our history are included; President Lincoln's "Prayer for Our Country" and from President George W. Bush's "Prayer for Times of National Grief" after the tragedy of 9-11.
The American Flag gets a lot of respect in the book; how to fold the Flag, how to display and when and how to acquire a flag that has flown over the U. S. Capitol. The Pledge of Allegiance and the history is on pages 542-543.
There are so many people that belong to our history in this book. I was reading one Daily Reading and there was something on Vietnam; I looked up John McCain and did not find him in the book. I realize only so many people can be in a book but because I am giving my opinion, I will say I was a little disappointed.
This book is one not to be on a shelf but on a table to be read daily. Parents can use this as a history book to read with their kids, anyone who loves facts will enjoy The American Patriot's Almanac as well history buffs. Everyone will learn something about America.
A wonderful Christmas present for those on your list who have everything or a birthday present for someone.
I received a complimentary copy of The American Patriot's Almanac from Thomas Nelson Publishers to review. I will post my review on booksneeze.com, LibraryThing.com, Facebook and my blog: mnleona.blogspot.com.The opinions are my own. I highly recommend this book to everyone. ( )

This book includes daily readings that are American history-related. I read them aloud at the breakfast table to my 9 yo ds and 14 dd. All three of us appreciate the selections. We've read about Susan B. Anthony, George Washington and Ronald Reagan. We've enjoyed reading speeches, primary document selections and quotable quotes. Our most recent readings have included learning about the Amistad and Iwo Jima. Not only do we learn from the selections, the readings also provoke interesting discussions at the breakfast table. I highly recommend the almanac. ( )

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