The Pursuit of Happiness in Times of War
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
The Pursuit of Happiness in Times of War
By (Author) Carl M. Cannon
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
15th September 2005
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Warfare and defence
306.4
Physical Properties
Paperback
336
Width 153mm, Height 218mm, Spine 19mm
408g
Description
In The Pursuit of Happiness in Times of War, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl M. Cannon shows how the single phrase life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is one of remarkable historical power. Visit our website for sample chapters!
Reviews
In this important and compelling book, Carl Cannon follows 'the pursuit of happiness' through American history, demonstrating both how vibrantly enduring the idea has been for two hundred years and how essential it is to understanding who we are as a people. Here is a history lesson and a contemplation on what it means to be an American in the same book. -- Dayton Duncan, author of Out West: A Journey through Lewis & Clarks America
In this wonderful read, Carl Cannon has charted how U.S. presidents from George Washington to George Bushand patriots from Frederick Douglass to John McCainhave used the galvanizing language of the Declaration of Independence to rally Americans to a cause larger than themselves. That causethat truly noble causeis the inexorable expansion of Thomas Jefferson's 'unalienable rights' to those who do not have them. The book has a strong narrative thread from start to finish, but each of Cannon's dozen chapters comprises an essay that would be worthy of the price of the book by itself. -- Joel Garreau, author of The Nine Nations of North America
One of our ablest President-watchers tackles an even bigger subject with grace and originality. -- Richard E. Neustadt, Harvard University
Carl Cannon gives us an elegant tone poem to the purpose of the American idea. Through reflections on leaders historic and contemporary, Cannon delivers a patriotism far more engaging and profound than sticking an Old Glory pin on the lapel. He has captured something essential about the American spiritat a time we need it most. -- Michael D. McCurry, former White House press secretary to President Bill Clinton
A moving, personal restatement of America's ideals by one of the very finest of American journalists. -- David Frum, author of The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush
Words matter. Carl Cannon tells the story of how the words 'the pursuit of happiness,' have led generations of Americans to understand why they are willing to fight for their freedom. Cannon is a gifted writer, and this is a book you will find hard to put down. -- Michael Barone, senior writer, U.S. News and World Report and author of Our Country: The Shaping of America from Roosevelt to Reagan
As a White House correspondent who covers his beat from a broad perspective, Carl Cannon is the perfect reporter to explore the ways in which our presidents have used the term 'pursuit of happiness.' Including in his discussion presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush, Cannon demonstrates how significant the concept has been to our presidents and how Chief
Executives have used the term in ways mirroring their contemporary political values.
I intend to keep this book close by as a reminder that pursuing happiness is not a guilty pleasure, but an act of defiance against tyranny. Against a nation thus armed, terrorists don't stand a chance. -- Kathleen Parker * Nationally Syndicated Columnist For The Orlando Sentinel< *
Cannon has filled Pursuit of Happiness with lots of tasty details that make the broader lessons about politics and presidents go down more easily. * Chicago Tribune *
A highly readable and interesting volume. * The Washington Times *
In this sprawling meditation, Carl Cannon, a White House correspondent for National Journal, looks at how a large cast of notables have spoken of the pursuit of happiness during wartime. The results are sometimes surprising. * The Wilson Quarterly *
Author Bio
Carl M. Cannon is a White House correspondent for National Journal, Washington's highly respected, non-partisan weekly journal on politics and government. Previously he worked for six different newspapers over a twenty-year span. He was a member of the San Jose Mercury News staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area in 1989. He has written for numerous magazines including The Atlantic Monthly, New Republic, Forbes ASAP, Brill's Content, George, Mother Jones, and National Review. He is the coauthor of Boy Genius, a new book about top White House adviser Karl Rove. A native of San Francisco, Cannon attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
