If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty
Published by Penguin Random House Audio
4/5
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About this audiobook
#1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas delivers an extraordinary book that is part history and part rousing call to arms, steeped in a critical analysis of our founding fathers' original intentions for America.
In 1787, when the Constitution was drafted, a woman asked Ben Franklin what the founders had given the American people. "A republic," he shot back, "if you can keep it." More than two centuries later, Metaxas examines what that means and how we are doing on that score.
If You Can Keep It is at once a thrilling review of America's uniqueness--including our role as a "nation of nations"--and a chilling reminder that America's greatness cannot continue unless we embrace our own crucial role in living out what the founders entrusted to us. Metaxas explains that America is not a nation bounded by ethnic identity or geography, but rather by a radical and unprecedented idea, based on liberty and freedom for all. He cautions us that it's nearly past time we reconnect to that idea, or we may lose the very foundation of what made us exceptional in the first place.
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Reviews for If You Can Keep It
38 ratings7 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book eloquently reminds us of what our country has been and gives hope that we, as a people, could regain and practice the ideals that once characterized America. There is more than a little religiosity, but it remains a sound piece of encouragement in these or any other times, as demonstrated by the variety of sources quoted. You won't be sorry that you read this one.Won in a Goodreads Giveaway.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I read on avg at least a couple books every week, and some are obviously better than others. This is expected but for the most part I enjoy parts of most of them. This is the worst book I have read in a very long time. The author seems incompetent his historic reach is too far to be taken as non-fiction. Horrible!!!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The title of this book is stolen from Benjamin Franklin when asked if we were founding a monarchy or a republic. With his classic quick wit, he responded, "A republic... if you can keep it."
This book, by a radio talk show host, comprises a series of lecture-type chapters that admonishes patriotism instead of carelessness towards America. It contains many anecdotes which are interesting, such as that of Nathan Hale's, "I regret only that I have but one life to give for my country."
It lacks a central argument beyond the obvious patriotism. Maybe I haven't experienced that anti-patriotism of the Northeast, but Metaxas' pleadings seem somewhat obvious. He doesn't really raise the conversation that highly beyond the obvious observation that we are killing each other with partisanship. Instead of exploring that topic in depth, he just sermonizes about one's country in a very superficial manner.
I like Metaxas' other works on Bonhoeffer and Luther. Despite the entertaining stories, this work lacks a fundamental central idea. I'd take a pass on this one. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I consider myself well read and I spend a significant amount of time reading history. This book had a profound impact on me- whether you love America unconditionally or only seem to see her for her flaws- you owe it to yourself to read this book. The clarity, honesty and historical perspective is undeniable. Wow. Vr
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- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If You Can Keep ItThe Forgotten Promise Of American Liberty(Eric Metaxas) (2016).Dr James McHenry (a Maryland delegate) reports that as Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall at the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a certain Mrs Powell of Philadelphia asked, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”.Mr. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.”----I read and reread sections, underlined, highlighted and am determined to bring this forward for discussion with friends.Eric Metaxas enables us to understand, more fully, what the founders intended for America.Explaining Os Guinness' concept of "The Golden Triangle of Freedom" was both basic and profound."Freedom requires virtue; virtue requires faith; and faith requires freedom. If any of these three legs of the triangle is removed, the whole structure ceases to exist."An in-depth look at each of the legs follows.Please understand that the material in this book is much more expansive and thought provoking than I'm able to express here.This is definitely a book I recommend you read and take seriously.A quote from Eric Metaxas"I still hope that perhaps those of us who call ourselves Americans might come to understand these vital ideas, to remember them again and to know what it means to be an American.""It's time to reconnect to that idea before America loses the very foundation for what made it exceptional in the first place."(publishers note)4.5 ★
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful. Inspiring. Heard about from an atheist ex soviet spy on a t.v interview. he was right a must read or audio listen.
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- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellently inspiring grasp of history and hope, I highly recommend this book to find a reason to smile amid tears of how our history should have been much better. Metaxas looks at America with balance about how we must mourn and learn from the bad, while recognizing the good both past and present. I now see a more realistically hopeful future for current Americans and those who immigrate here to share our hope filled vision.
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