Evaluating Books, What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?
by Richard J. Maybury
Reviewed by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: Evaluating Books, What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This? (Second Edition) by Richard J. Maybury. Paperback, 128 pages, $10.95. Published by Bluestocking Press. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying this program from our Amazon affiliate link.
Richard Maybury offers guidelines on how to choose books that faithfully represent the principles of the Founding Fathers of the United States in Evaluating Books, What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This? Unlike the others in the Uncle Eric series, this volume is for parents, teachers, and other interested adults.
The author contrasts the statist's point of view with that of the Founders. The statist believes in a strong, central government that will do "whatever is necessary," while the Founders felt that political power is inherently evil and corrupting. Today, almost all textbooks are written from a statist perspective, but often the opinions "are presented subtly; readers are led to jump to conclusions that are not true."
After a strong warning about statist books and their potential effect on unprepared readers, Mr. Maybury gives brief biographies of the Founding Fathers. Then he shares a list of "negative indicators," "statist viewpoints and half-truths to watch for" when reading. Using quotations from Thomas Jefferson and other founders as evidence, the author first states the statist viewpoint and then counters with the "Other side of the story," his point of view as an economist and historian. Each of the sixteen negative issues has a list of books and audio tapes for further study. Next Mr. Maybury explains many misleading terms, such as social justice, rights, and interests, that sound good but are actually used to help statists achieve their goal of increased political power.
Nine positive indicators are then discussed. Short explanations of these important characteristics including intelligence, individualism, and belief in a higher power are followed by lists of books which support these ideals. Evaluating Books ends with reprints of several articles written by Mr. Maybury which highlight his interest in liberty rather than socialism.
Recommendation: Evaluating Books will be an eye-opener for most homeschooling parents. Written in an easy-to-follow format, parents will become much more aware of the slant of many texts and will be able to teach their children to be even more discerning. Christian parents should be particularly interested in Mr. Maybury's ideas as he strongly advocates return to laws of a higher power rather than government laws.
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
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