Welcome to Litsy!

Good July 4th thoughts, I think. ❤️‍🩹

Unpopular opinion: disappointing collection of essays.
While I found some bits and pieces interesting, when it comes to making his points, his argumentation was superficial and weak. On some subjects, on the press for example, I found his writing naive, very much ignoring hard talks. He probably wanted to write an uplifting collection of essays, essays easy to understand, but in this case it's at the cost of intellectual honesty...

#Truth #ElieWiesel — “We must always take sides.”

Patriotism, according to #DanRather — a fitting reminder heading into the 4th of July weekend. #BearWitness

#BookMail 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐5 ⭐
i don‘t think I am the type of person who could ever sit down and read a Dan Rather book cover to cover. It‘s not Dan, it‘s me. I could listen to him all day long, and I love him on Twitter, but he does not usually write the type of books that keep me interested. That is until his work What Unites us was give the graphic novel treatment. Every library should have a copy for the civics lessons many kids are not learning in school.

Interesting perspective!

A great audiobook, read by the author. I really enjoyed Rather‘s reflections on his career and the conclusions he‘s drawn over the years.

My copy of his book has as yet to arrive (this US citizen is having trouble getting mail from US), but I appreciate Rather as a voice of reason amidst all the craziness and greed. #america

Thanks so much for my #jolabokaflodswap gift @Christine I think it is a perfect book to lead into a new year. And of course the chocolate and cute bookmarks are just right.

Thanks to @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing. I know it is a lot of work.

Audio crochet. One day I will have this blanket done.

I enjoyed the personal anecdotes added in each section. The audiobook was good as it was read by Dan Rather.

Political nonfiction that is uplifting rather than accusatory - a good palette cleanse. 💪🏻❤️

Started this book about patriotism by Rather today on my audio walk (published in 2017 but very relevant). Seeing all the local Halloween decor always makes me happy.

I owe Dan Rather a lot more than $1.99 for all of the chuckles and moments of sanity he‘s brought to me via Twitter, not to mention this wonderful book, which I deeply enjoyed on audio from the library. I‘ll start here. 🇺🇸

Dan Rather‘s tweets have been among my most reliable sources of joy in 2020. He‘s so sweet and sincere and funny and wise, and he understands America so well. I really loved this and highly recommend it on audio.

Listening to this #audiobook & my dog snore although I don‘t know how she can sleep in that position. #dogsoflitsy

I loved this book! In a time when our country is so divided, this was a very refreshing and hopeful book about unity and a new vision for patriotism. I would recommend it!

To celebrate my Litfluence hitting 100,000 I am giving away this stack of signed books. To enter please create a post about what living author‘s book signing you would most like to attend tagging me and using #signmeup. Winner will be drawn on Sunday, July 28th. Open internationally.

A long day of driving from the beach after loading the car —- and I find this surprise from @Kaylamburson This is a delight for me for many reasons. I like the card too. Thanks so much! #litsylove

It is important not to confuse “patriotism” with “nationalism.” As I define it, nationalism is a monologue in which you place your country in a position of moral and cultural supremacy over others. Patriotism, while deeply personal, is a dialogue with your fellow citizens, and a larger world, about not only what you love about your country but also how it can be improved.”

Dan Rather

Required reading❤️❤️❤️

Racing to finish this one before it goes back to #Libby tomorrow!

I‘ve not had a lot of reading time because my mother-in-law has been in town! We played dominos and ate amazing food all weekend, but now it‘s back to business. 📚🙌🏻

Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! Have a fun and safe time celebrating. 😀

SUPER SALE ALERT! #kindledeals

I‘ve been wanting to read this, and noticed that there was a price drop. Thought that others may want to pick it up. #kindledeal

I think everyone, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, can benefit from the wisdom within this book's pages.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Just when I started to lose interest, he reels me back in with a section on books!

💯

Yesssss Dan!

Dan Rather adopted and rapidly adapted to social media at a time when I felt hollowed out and hopeless. This book is a gentle, persistent call to action for the better angels of our nature, if they‘re still listening. Sort of a love story for the United States in its best aspirations.

[L]ibraries represent an aspirational notion of democracy. They were, and still are, civic institutions that welcome anyone who wishes to become a more informed and independent citizen. In books we can find expert and trustworthy scholarship on any subject imaginable. By reading books, we can continually challenge our own biases and learn beyond our level of formal education. #libraries #booksmatter

When I heard that Dan Rather was publishing a series of essays on patriotism, I got a little giddy. OK, maybe a lot giddy! His unwavering faith in the power & spirit of individual Americans truly inspires. As an idealistic pessimist anything too sugary annoys me. His practical analysis strikes a subtle balance between criticism of aspects of our society, past and present, and celebration of American ideals. He gives the reader plenty to ponder.

I don‘t know that I can add much more to what has already been said, but I appreciated this listen. These are thoughtful essays that combine stories of his life experiences with logical and hopeful thoughts for the future.

#audiobook #nonfiction #essays

I felt like I was having a conversation with my father or an older friend. This book was easy to get through. It read like a mini history of the US and lime a autobiography of Rather.

This one took only two days.

Seriously, read his book and follow him on Twitter or Facebook. His newest news venture is “News and Guts” https://www.newsandguts.com/

#WhatUnitesUs

What a perfectly wonderful book that couldn‘t be more timely. This is a collection of essays about what unites us as Americans, with examples pulled from his childhood, personal experiences, and years of reporting. I‘ve missed the voices of brave and honest reporters speaking truth to power on many topics, Rather‘s voice is one I‘ve missed, and I didn‘t even really see how much until I listened to this audiobook. #Nonfiction2018 #MountTBRReadathon

Wise, steady and thoughtful essays bring together the past and increasingly urgent present day issues facing the U.S. Rather is hopeful but cautionary, stating, “Our nation will not survive without an engaged and committed population.” I‘d like this to be required reading - especially for younger generations preparing to take the helm. #danrather #whatunitesus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Patriotism is rooted in humility. Nationalism is rooted in arrogance.” #danrather #whatunitesus #quote

Thank you so much to my swap sender!! I'm so excited for both of these books. I searched for your name and I didn't find it, I hope you see this message!! Thank you again!! #nfbs @inwhichHeikereadsharder ❤️❤️❤️

I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the familiar voice of Dan Rather. A selection of essays that told of his life and love of the USA. Positive and inspiring. Cheers to him for pursuing new avenues and embracing modern technology! The new season of his TV show returns with an interview with the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant! I enjoyed this so much that I want to own a copy.

Like many of us in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area, I have been MIA. My energy had been applied to living like a pioneer, shoveling and just trying to stay warm. I hear you @BookBabe At last, things have settled down! Here is my current car “read”!

Just the sort of feel-good socially political read I needed!He has lived in a crucial time of change+acceptance & it‘s revelatory to read his recollections on how ludicrous it once was to even CONSIDER a woman/black American as president, how oppressed women, blacks and gays were for most of his life. I was so emotional reading this, thankful for how far we‘ve come due in part to journalists like him and some of brave politicians he reported on.

Being. Different. Does. Not. Make. You. Less. Than.

This is an excellent book about America, patriotism, and the changes the nation has gone through. It also contains glimpses into Dan Rather's life and career, which add an inspiring personal touch. I highly recommend this book.

#nonfictionbookexchange ready to ship! @inwhichHeikereadsharder

So, so important to remember— we‘ll never be united as a country if we continue to use individual/ideological beliefs to openly discriminate or discredit people who are different or disagree with us.

“There are strong voices calling this dissent unpatriotic and dangerous. We cannot let the forces of suppression win. America works best when new thoughts can emerge to compete, and thrive, in a marketplace of ideas.”

I respect Dan Rather for his steady eye and calming voice. He‘s seen decades of world events, and brings thoughtfulness and strength to this collection of essays. If you need a burst of well-grounded inspiration (really, it‘s not an oxymoron), then this book is for you. Rather will give you perspective and hope!

Full review at www.TheBibliophage.com

This is an important distinction everyone should aware of. Patriotism is great! Nationalism...not so much.