The Ugly American – William J. Lederer & Eugene Burdick

© 1958, Fifth Fawcett printing (1987), Fawcett Crest, New York

The back cover states, “If this were not a free country, this book would be banned.” It’s a strong statement especially for a book that opposes Communism in the middle of the Cold War.

The book centers on a fictional country in Southeast Asia named Sarkhan. The stories contained within the chapter bounce between competence and incompetence on the part of the diplomats and politicos. Heroes include Ambassador Gilbert McWhite, John Colvin, and Homer Atkins—all men who took the time to learn the culture in which they were being planted. Even with the mistakes made by the Ambassador, the heart was right. The ineptitude of Americans who live and work overseas according to the authors starts high and trickles all the way to the lowest levels.

This book, while written during the height of the struggle between American capitalism and Russian communism, bears all the marks of a lasting piece of literature. The authors write well and keep you engaged in the story, even when you don’t like what’s happening in the story. There are parts of the story line that will dishearten you, it will also open your eyes. Here you’ll find the reminder that Americans are not always right, and even when they are right, they may not be heard—even by other Americans.

This is an excellent book if you can find a copy. Four and one-half out of five reading glasses. Read it if you want a book that will engage your brain. If you want to escape, save this one ‘til later.

—Benjamin Potter, May 16, 2008

Character Makes a Difference – Mike Huckabee

I’ve purposely held this review back so that no one would start shouting about my getting into the political scene or endorsing a candidate. I got the chance to meet Mike Huckabee at the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, Texas, where I picked up a copy of this book and he graciously signed it, smiled and joked a bit with me, and shook my hand. The process took longer at the cash register of the LifeWay booth than in the presence of the governor. He won’t remember the encounter except that he did a book signing there and met a pile of Baptists. Anyway—here’s my thoughts on this book, although they are posted several weeks after the reading of the book.

© 2007 B & H Publishing Group, Nashville

A quick glance at the copyright page of this volume reveals that it combines material previously published by the former Arkansas governor in 1997 (Character Is the Issue) and 2000 (Living Beyond Your Lifetime). Glancing further at the Introduction and the Table of Contents gives the reader a feel for the book. It is divided into three parts—part 1, background on what it is that brought Huckabee to the political place where he recently ran for the presidency; part 2, a general call to living a life of character; and part 3, a collection of selected speeches from Huckabee printed in the form of appendices rather than chapters. The book boils down to a simple primer on character and behavior.

The historical matter is presented, as one would expect, from Huckabee’s point of view. In the telling, the governor presents a case that indicates that people should do their best to rise above the goading of enemies, seen and unseen. Also in the telling, Huckabee comes across as a magnanimous person—something that is difficult to swallow when we see him for a politician.

The advice on character and the building of such, we see much more of the preacher in the background of the politician. Huckabee leaves no question as to where he stands in either the political or the religious arena. He has no qualms in quoting the Bible and bringing to his writing the assumption that the Bible is and ought to be the foundational document for life in general. In his analysis of the biblical passages he uses, he stays pretty close to his Southern Baptist roots. One flag that might be raised on this point is the secularization of the exegesis that may be a little too preach-y for the mainstream politicos and a tad over-simplified for the deep-thinking theologs out there.

The inclusion of part 3, the appendices, seems to be the examples from Huckabee’s public political persona that show how he has tried to marry his faith with his public life, living what he says. The speeches often read like the sermons of his early career, even if they are not scripturally based lessons but challenges to do the right thing in politics, education, or disaster relief.

As a reader for young politicians, I’d recommend this book. As a readable poly-sci text, I’d give it the thumbs up. As a usable offering for teaching people how to do politics in America, I’d have to say that it falls a bit short. Is it a likable book? Sure, it even makes Mike likable (at least in my opinion) to some of those who would be his detractors.

Does the book achieve its purpose? I’d say so, because the appearance when it did, gave the governor more opportunities to glad-hand potential voters just as he was starting his bid for the oval office. It certainly paints a pleasant portrait of Mike Huckabee, making him personable and wise in his daily decisions. Is it worth your time? Sure. I’d give it 4 out of 5 reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, February 5, 2008