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Product Review Last Revised February 12, 2009 |
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Published by New Leaf Press, 406 pages, hardcover 
The subtitle of this book offers a good summary of what the book is about: An American Heritage – Profiles of great men and women of faith who shaped Western civilization. Each chapter focuses on a specific character trait or virtue, which is examined in the person’s life in the context of the historical time period.
Along with each trait, there is a purpose statement, famous quote, scripture references, personality profile, historical review, and information for applying the lesson to the student’s personal life. Some include modern-day examples. Comprehension questions are also included, but these are more for discussion purposes. No answers are provided. Extended activities and suggestions for further study are listed for each chapter that can be used for essay questions or projects for high school students. By connecting the character trait to an actual person and showing how that person impacted history, the book is a good “object lesson” in making a difference. It can be used to supplement any American history course or as part of a character unit study. I used this book with my high school students in conjunction with Developing Godly Character in Children (see related review). There are 37 units grouped by categories: building a Christian life, the Beatitudes, and the Fruit of the Spirit. Examples are: Wisdom – Isaac Newton, Forgive and Extend Mercy – Alexander Hamilton, Reverence for God – John Witherspoon, Goodness – Joseph Story, Justice – Sojourner Truth, and Self-Control – Roger Sherman. There is all sorts of additional information on worldview, values, and our nation’s Christian heritage in the Appendix (31 pages) as well as Internet links for each chapter. In fact, the book does a good job in showing how worldview determines our values and should impact the way we live. The book gives a “crash course” in worldviews in the beginning, and shows how our history has been rewritten by secular humanists to cover up our Christian heritage. KEY WORD: character, elective, life skills
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