ePub The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders by Jacob Needleman in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Contains great points; but they become somewhat lost in the extensive discussionBy Jim RichmondReally 3 1/2 stars. I oscillated repeatedly between considering this to be a 3 star or 4 star book. There are grand points that are made; but the way the material is presented makes it hard to find them and celebrate them. And since most reviews are 5 stars; I lowered it to 3 to bring the ranking closer to where I consider it be.I have enormous respect for the author; Jacob Needleman. He's a deep-thinker; a philosopher; and a nice guy. I have another of his books (Time and the Soul) which I rated higher than this book. He doesn't hit the reader over the head (in a preachy or sermonizing way); nor use negativity; to support his material. It's presented in a kind and grandfatherly way.The book is laid out in a no-nonsensical and uncluttered way. There are no pictures or graphics; so it's a very text-heavy book (something I generally prefer and appreciate). But it is also sort of a rambling flow of talk without any pause and consideration. The book would have benefitted from some stop and reflection device (a picture; a side note; a side bar; some modern parallel to bring the material into the present; etc.) It's almost a bit 'stream-of-consciousness' in approach.There are quotes from prominent American figures; and they are often the most interesting sources of material in the book. One wonders how much better the book would be if it mostly just focused on quotes; rather than Needleman explaining what the quotes mean. There's a bit too much of hand-holding by him; telling us what the passages meant and what we are to think of them. This got on my nerves after awhile; I'm capable of thinking on my own; and drawing my own conclusions. There is also a building up of concepts; and the author walking us through the themes. It seemed that more time was spent sculpting his ideas than just presenting material; and letting that prove the point.This would be a much greater book if it were more concise and to the point. Each chapter covered good points; but continued on unnecessarily after the points were made. He could have covered more topics and themes too; even while slimming down and refining the content.At times while reading this book; there were 'deja vu' moments of reading Robert Bly's "Iron John" book. Undoubtedly; the author must have read Bly's material and jump onboard the "mythology" bandwagon. Just as Bly stated that we need to "re-mythologize" masculinity and manhood; Needleman argues that we need to "re-mythologize" American themes. When Americans are to grasp deep and strong ways of thought that truly existed in the developing years of our country; it doesn't help any to encourage people to then resort to mythology and fantasy. That was the strangest element I came across in the book. It almost trivialized the stronger material in the book.Good themes and a great idea for a book. This aimed high; and deserves merit for its attempt. It's a shame thought that the delivery wasn't as grand as the concepts. Books should be put together in a manner complimentary to their focus and theme. Then we would have a 5-star book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Yes..."America needs to recover its mythic dimension."By DarlaWow! I know that's a mundane word for a book that combines philosophy and spirituality in such an eloquent flow; but; hey; that's been my constant response while reading this book. This is one of those books that; if it were within my power to do so; I would have as required reading for all Americans. Profoundly moving and deeply edifying; this book speaks to all that I have been pondering recently. Needleman says that:"The hope of America lies and has consisted in the fact that its political ideals and forms of government; its iconic actions and archetypal heroes; reflect in two directions at once--toward the external good of a life of liberty and equality and the reasonable search for a normal life of community and creative aspiration; and at the same time inwardly toward the search for inner development; the life of conscience and reason that defines the true nature of humanity and gives life its ultimate meaning. … America needs to recover its mythic dimension. If not; if it begins to live only in its first history; only int he outer dimension; it will have lost all that really nourishes the life of a nation or an individual."The author talks of "The American Virtues and Their Shadows" and of so much more that the scope often leaves me breathless!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A deeply spiritual book about the deeply spiritual roots of the USABy Will RobertsThis is a deeply spiritual book about the deeply spiritual heritage of the United States of America. Not only Americans but lovers of democracy the world over will benefit from studying this work.