"Running water. Electricity. Antibiotics. Dentistry. Air conditioning. Democracy. The rule of law. Such things are not only remarkably new inventions in human history, they are all alien to humanity's natural habitat. Here is what is natural: poverty, hunger, violence, tribal hatred, and an early death. If the Garden of Eden existed, it was a slum. Only once in the last 250,000 years did humans lift themselves out of their natural environment of poverty....

In a collection of original essays, the venerated television journalist, Dan Rather, celebrates shared values and what matters most in this great country, and shows what patriotism looks like. Writing about the institutions that sustain the people, such as public libraries, public schools, and national parks; the values that have transformed the people, such as the struggle for civil rights; and the drive toward science and innovation that has made...

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have been killed fighting in American wars. Respectful illustrations and informative text teach readers about the history and pastimes associated with Memorial Day, as well as what they can do to commemorate the day. Additional features to aid comprehension include activities and poetry, informative sidebars, a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, an index, and an introduction...

It is a rare look at the over four-decade intimate relationship Ken Burns has with his America and beloved community of Walpole, NH, and the importance that a "sense of place" and belonging has in one's life. That the essential American fabric of patriotism and goodness are woven through each of us, and often, the road less traveled is a good decision.