Customer Reviews
A decent concept sorely undercut by Bennett's sanctimony - By: , 15 Jul 1998 
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 agenda
Bennett's role as self- appointed guardian of the nation's morals might be more credible were his preachiness directed at both the left & the right. For me I will look elsewhere other than Bennett for my "moral" guidance.
Conservative and Anti-Children "Values" - By: , 21 Sep 1997 
This is an interesting mix of classic stories & 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 politicallly 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 alllegiance 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 & simple rhyme recounts the story of a little girl who slams doors, & is eventuallly killed by this thoroughly offensive act. This poem's "moral" is that if you slam doors, you'll get slammed too, & get buried with a sermon that "(dwells) upon her Vices too." "The Book of Virtues" is good for a few dark laughs & the occasional guffaw at the editor's audacity (also quite humorous is the understated & 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."
A must-read book for the young and young at heart. - By: , 22 Apr 1997 
It's a compilation of alll the stories you want your children to hear. The stories, essays, & poems are simple yet rich in teachings. It's a collection of lessons both children & adults can learn from. If you want to nourish that seed of joy & kindness in your heart, you better get hold of this wonderful book of Mr. Bennett.
