A Century Turns is claiming to be the “third volume” of Bill Bennett’s work on American history. Many favorable reviews are calling a must read for high schoolers. I am not as quick to put it in that category. I am not as quick to put this book in the same category as his other two books on American history.
The first two volumes were much more objective. This book is far more of an analysis. Bennett is very much in the middle of many events that took place in the past 20 years and does not offer a dispassionate voice on these issues. This is more political commentary than history.
As political commentary for conservatives, I highly recommend it. It is a review of the past 20 years as you will like to remember it. I was amazed at just how much has changed in the past 20 years. The thought that I certainly wouldn’t be “blogging” 20 years ago, or “emailing”, or “surfing the net,” is incredible. Time and technology has accelerated.
What has also changed is the dispassionate view of history. There is a need to interject our own views, especially if we have lived through those events. This is Bennett’s viewpoint. It is not straight historical record, so I was disappointed in that sense. While I read the book as a “volume three,” since that was how it was advertised, I was quickly disappointed. For commentary, it’s a good conservative book. For history, it is disappointing.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 