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| Photo: Courtesy of HarperCollins |
With a busy speaking schedule, doling out endorsements across the nation, and starring in her own reality television show; who would have thought that Sarah Palin would find time to write a second book? Well keeping with her tradition of defying expectations, Sarah Palin's second book America By Heart hit shelves on November 23, 2010. Coming out just over a year after her record breaking memoir, Going Rogue, flooded bookstores across the nation, Palin's second book had high expectations waiting for it. Most political observers and astute citizens believe that Palin will probably run for president in 2012 and some considered this a good way for Palin to recast herself in the eyes of most Americans. I personally hoped for a policy book, something reminiscent of Mitt Romney's No Apology. Instead she carved her own vision of America, from the very moral fabric that that our society is woven of, to our far reaching international policy. Palin uses excerpts from some of her favorite readings, prayers, and speeches to justify her worldview. Although the book allows for an interesting glimpse into the morals that guide this gifted woman, it falls far short of doing her the amount of good a policy book would have. Still it is a good read with some very powerful moments throughout.
American Exceptionalism
If one had to summarize Sarah Palin's new book in two words, no more perfect an answer could be found than American Exceptionalism. In a direct affront to Barack Obama's view of American Exceptionalism: "I believe in American Exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British Exceptionalism, and the Greeks believe in Greek Exceptionalism." Instead her approach is to be unapologetic about American Exceptionalism and seeks to highlight the many ways that America truly is the shining city on the hill. She delves into America's moral history and shows how our work ethic, our democracy, and our very way of life all rest upon our moral convictions and values. Because according to Palin, to say that something is exceptional is to say that it is the only one. In Palin's view Great Britain and Greece can't be exceptional, because America is exceptional. That's not to say that she supports American dominance over the globe (because she doesn't), she just believes that America has a unique position to be a guiding light for our wayward world to follow if they so choose.
One of the best parts about the book is the section about why America and its founding documents are so radically different than any other country. She illustrates the difference between the United States and other countries by pointing out that our Constitution starts with three simple words... We the people. Power in the United States is vested in the people of the United States by our creator and that our rights are inalienable. In comparison, the other famous constitutions of the world have the power and rights of the people being given to them by the government. However, as any American citizen knows, what government gives it can also take away. In America, government cannot take these rights because they are given to us by God, not by man. That distinction is a defining moment in the history of democracy, the world, and human civilization. Palin reminds her readers that we are giving our consent to be governed and that the government must change and respond to our will. In other words, E Pluribus Unum. One from many.
Another intriguing section of America by Heart revolves around Palin's view of feminism. Most mainstream feminists consider Palin antiquated, spreading values that degrade women instead of up lift them. But Palin intelligently responds by simply stating that there is nothing degrading or less noble or even less rewarding for being a mother or home maker. She points out that America as a whole was built by the people who relished in hard work and knew the value in work for works sake. She points out that at least at some point in American history Americans had pride simply because they were Americans. That's a time that she, and I, wish we could return to.
In retrospect, probably around thirty-five percent of Palin's book is excerpts from other works. Most of her most powerful points are made for her, with her just providing her own heart felt sentiment or spin on it. It doesn't necessarily make the book any weaker or any less potent (considering half of her point is that founders knew what they were doing and we should respect and listen to their words). However I did find it pretty hilarious that she actually quoted Mitt Romney, a potential 2012 rival, in her book. But not only did she quote him, she uses his relatively well known speech on his religious beliefs to combat President John F. Kennedy's famous speech on the same subject. Either she just truly considers Mitt Romney to be a peer of JFK (in that case Mr. Romney take a bow) or as is more likely, she didn't know how to say it in her own words. Not to question her intelligence or her eloquence, but come on. Couldn't she have at least found her own way to say it, I mean the book is by Sarah Palin after all. Besides, Mitt Romney has his own book to tote.
The Review
Sarah Palin's sophomore book America by Heart falls far short of a much needed policy book, but does establish her moral footing for all to see. While she draws heavily from the works and thoughts of others, her own personal take is well worth it, most of the time. I don't hold it against her because I like Mitt Romney too, but she could have used her own words to talk about religion. (And at least use Reagan or Lincoln to combat JFK, they ARE peers.) The In Review rating for America by Heart by Sarah Palin is a three out of 5 stars. The writing is descent and very similar to her first book, Going Rogue, but the fact that I can't find a purpose for the book bothers me. Where America by Heart helps her isn't where Sarah Palin needed help. She need a policy book, something to point to and say look, her are my ideas, here is how I am going to do it, here is why they will succeed. America by Heart doesn't do that. For me, that's what kills it.
Later,
Cody
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