| I have been a fan of Chuck Norris for years. His early | | | | what I believe, so there." He gives us the why behind |
| movies helped motivate me to study martial arts, | | | | what he wrote. That still does not mean you have to |
| and now as an instructor myself, I respect and | | | | agree with him, but it will most certainly education |
| admire the accomplishments he has achieved, and | | | | you and open your eyes to the conservative |
| especially like how he has helped so many kids | | | | perspective in a different light. |
| through his youth programs. It was an honor to meet | | | | The first chapter then goes on to lay out eight |
| Chuck Norris, his wife, and the late Howard Jackson a | | | | problems with America that Norris believes something |
| few years ago when he was signing copies of | | | | must be done about. Then, it the next eight chapters |
| "Against All Odds: My Story." | | | | he goes into solutions to these problems. These |
| I also like that Chuck Norris has firm convictions and | | | | problems he addresses are: 1. Norris believes we |
| beliefs and is not afraid to stand by them. His entry | | | | have forgotten our roots and have drifted from the |
| into political commentary and endorsing causes and | | | | principles and beliefs that our country was founded |
| candidates illustrates that he is not content with | | | | upon. 2. America's debt. The dept by Both by the |
| sitting on the sidelines, but is more than willing to | | | | government and individuals is a major problem and as |
| stand up and be counted and voice an opinion. Some | | | | Norris points out, we must not spend what we don't |
| people criticize celebrities for endorsing causes or | | | | have. 3. America has failed to enforce our nation's |
| candidates, but I don't. I respect people who stand | | | | borders. Norris shares some of the Founder's |
| up for what they believe in and take ACTION. | | | | recommendations regarding immigration as well as |
| Regardless if you agree or disagree with Norris, you | | | | some of his own recommendations for the illegal |
| have to respect the fact that he is taking action | | | | immigration problem. 4. Norris believes the fourth |
| regarding problems he sees in America. | | | | major problem is that America has lost its moral |
| I've been looking forward to "Black Belt Patriotism: | | | | compass. This is probably one of the most "religious" |
| How to Reawaken America" ever since I learned it | | | | chapters because Chuck's moral compass is guided |
| was coming out. Being a black belt and a patriot, I | | | | by his Faith. 5. The next problem is that we have |
| love the title. But more importantly, I respect Chuck | | | | devalued human life. Again, this chapter is influenced |
| Norris and his views, not just because he is a fellow | | | | by his faith, but we must also remember that in his |
| martial artist, but because he is sincere, honest, and | | | | early movies, life was not valued that much with the |
| makes a lot of sense. I've been looking forward to | | | | high body counts of the 80s action genre. But then |
| his insights and suggestions on how to rebuild our | | | | Norris has changed since then and is the first to |
| country and ensure the pursuit of the American | | | | admit it. What I like is that he does not try to |
| Dream is available for everyone. The book was | | | | change or hide his past, and he openly discusses that |
| released yesterday and I left work and immediately | | | | he made mistakes in his past and is ashamed of |
| stopped at the bookstore to pick up a copy. | | | | some of what he has done. 6. The sixth problem |
| I was not disappointed! | | | | Norris takes on is what he claims is the failing of our |
| I spent the night reading "Black Belt Patriotism" and | | | | children. Children bear the brunt of cultural decay and |
| was quite impressed. It was not what I thought it | | | | Norris sets out to help protect our children from |
| was going to be. It had much more research than I | | | | predators as well as provide for them and teach |
| expected. In fact, there are over thirty pages of | | | | them values. 7. The next problem he sees is the |
| notes, containing more than three hundred | | | | dissolution of the family. This chapter again focuses |
| references from the text. Norris did his homework! | | | | on a Christian model for family, and Norris also makes |
| Before I go any further, I'll address the elephant in | | | | a case for homeschooling. 8. The eighth problem of |
| the room. (pun intended) It is no secret that Norris is | | | | America's is apathy: physical, mental, and spiritual. In |
| a conservative. On the cover of the book, he is | | | | this chapter Norris takes on the declining health and |
| described as a martial arts master, actor, and political | | | | obesity of Americans and calls for healthy living |
| activist. This book falls in the political activist realm | | | | including nutritious eating and exercise. He also very |
| and the solutions that Norris provides are rooted in | | | | briefly adds that he believes people need to feed |
| his Christian faith and belief in the Constitution and | | | | themselves spiritually as well. |
| those Constitution Framers and founders of our | | | | As I stated, if you share conservative beliefs with |
| great nation. If you share his conservative views, | | | | Norris, you will love his solutions, if you don't, you |
| you are going to love this book. You might even | | | | won't find this book nearly as enjoyable. However, |
| stand up and yell, "You tell 'em Chuck!" If you are | | | | regardless of your beliefs, you should find this book |
| liberal, you are going to disagree with many of the | | | | educational. |
| solutions Norris provides, and you might even be | | | | The book is more than educational, it is also |
| insulted because he pulls no punches with his beliefs. | | | | motivational. The love for our country that Norris |
| If you are an independent, or fall somewhere in the | | | | holds is clear, and he is optimistic that Americans can |
| middle, you will probably learn a few things and | | | | solve the problems the country is facing. This is not a |
| ponder on others. Regardless of which camp you fall | | | | doom and gloom look at troubles. This is a call for |
| into, I believe the book has value in pointing out the | | | | action to make our country better, to make our |
| problems that Norris does. If you don't agree with his | | | | country stronger. Norris wants all Americans to get |
| conservative solutions, so be it. Figure out solutions | | | | involved. He closes the book by saying, "I've |
| that you back. But think about the problems and | | | | committed the rest of my life to assure that the |
| work toward solutions! | | | | America of yesteryear becomes the America of |
| The first line of this book is, "I love America: always | | | | tomorrow. My wish is that you will now join me, and |
| have, always will." It is clear from reading this text | | | | encourage others to do the same." |
| that Norris really does love America and the principles | | | | I highly recommend this book to all Americans. You |
| it was founded upon. He has researched the history | | | | don't have to be a Chuck Norris fan like I am to gain |
| of our country and government much more than the | | | | some valuable insights from Chuck's research into our |
| average person, and goes so far as to include in the | | | | country's history and government. You don't have to |
| Appendices; The Declaration of Independence, The | | | | share conservative values and ideals to still learn and |
| Constitution of the United States, and The Ten | | | | be motivated by his optimistic view that we can |
| Commandments. If you study the more than three | | | | continue to make America great despite the |
| hundred references I mentioned earlier, without a | | | | problems we are facing as a country. You don't even |
| doubt you will have a better understanding of our | | | | have to agree that these eight problems are the |
| country and government, and a better understanding | | | | primary problems of the country, even though we |
| of where Norris is coming from. I applaud his inclusion | | | | must admit they are issues that need to be |
| of such material, rather than him just saying, "this is | | | | addressed. |