The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories
Book Review: A must-read book for the young and young at heart.
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a compilation of all the stories you want your children to hear. The stories, essays, and poems are simple yet rich in teachings. It's a collection of lessons both children and adults can learn from. If you want to nourish that seed of joy and kindness in your heart, you better get hold of this wonderful book of Mr. Bennett.Book Review: Conservative and Anti-Children "Values"
Summary: 2 Stars
This is an interesting mix of classic stories and pieces from the Western canon, but despite the prologue's half-hearted attempt to make the reader believe that what is being read is by no means politically slanted, a quick read tells a different story. In the chapter entitled, "Responsibility," there is a "Respecting the flag" excerpt. This is not entirely strange out of context, but placed within this book, whose first chapter is "Self-Discipline," it becomes a moral rule for children concerning blind allegiance to not only the flag, but the country as well. In "Self-Discipline," the moral learned is that children are meant to do exactly as their parents tell them without any thought of their own. One poem written in deceptively sweet and simple rhyme recounts the story of a little girl who slams doors, and is eventually killed by this thoroughly offensive act. This poem's "moral" is that if you slam doors, you'll get slammed too, and get buried with a sermon that "(dwells) upon her Vices too." "The Book of Virtues" is good for a few dark laughs and the occasional guffaw at the editor's audacity (also quite humorous is the understated and often silly commentary that precedes most of the pieces). It is rather telling that I found this book in a certain bookstore's Sociology section. But unfortunately, I don't believe that this was the intention of the author, nor is this how the vast majority of parents who purchase "The Book of Virtues" will view it. This book should come with a warning: "Only buy this book if you are not planning on reading it to children."Book Review: A decent concept sorely undercut by Bennett's sanctimony
Summary: 1 Stars
This had the potential to be a great book - a collection of classic tales that teach a lesson. Unfortunately in the hands of William Bennett they become little more than a tool of self righteous sanctimony in the thin guise of a political agendaBennett's role as self- appointed guardian of the nation's morals might be more credible were his preachiness directed at both the left and the right. For me I will look elsewhere other than Bennett for my "moral" guidance.