• America the Beautiful

  • Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great
  • By: Candy Carson, Ben Carson MD
  • Narrated by: Dion Graham
  • Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (601 ratings)

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America the Beautiful  By  cover art

America the Beautiful

By: Candy Carson, Ben Carson MD
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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Publisher's summary

What is America becoming? Or, more importantly, what can she be if we reclaim a vision for the things that made her great in the first place?

In America the Beautiful, Dr. Ben Carson helps us learn from our past in order to chart a better course for our future. From his personal ascent from inner-city poverty to international medical and humanitarian acclaim, Carson shares experiential insights that help us understand:

  • What is good about America
  • Where we have gone astray
  • Which fundamental beliefs have guided America from her founding into preeminence among nations

Written by a man who has experienced America's best and worst firsthand, America the Beautiful is at once alarming, convicting, and inspiring. You'll gain new perspectives on our nation's origins, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our educational system, capitalism versus socialism, our moral fabric, healthcare, and much more.

An incisive manifesto of the values that shaped America's past and must shape her future, America the Beautiful calls us all to use our God-given talents to improve our lives, our communities, our nation, and our world.

©2011 Ben Carson, Candy Carson (P)2011 Zondervan

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What listeners say about America the Beautiful

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must for Americans

I found this book very moving. Ben Carson's opinion will not be agreeable to everyone, but if you are a conservative, believe strongly in our Constitution, and are open minded when it comes to solving the problems our country is facing then you will enjoy this book. It is very hard not to like this man. He uses our history to make points and brings to light many problems that are overlooked today, with educated, informative ideas to fix them. I have recommended this book to all my friends and would recommend it to you too.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding!

Thank you Dr. Carson. A must-read. This is a well-developed argument supporting the decline of America and what regular Americans can do to turn it around.

Read this thoughtful, inspiring presentation ...you'll enjoy it!

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must read for all.

Would you listen to America the Beautiful again? Why?

I already have, I have listened to it twice and plan to listen to it again. Ben Carson's life and subsequent achievements are an inspiration to all Americans. His diplomatic, yet no nonsense views and ideas on government are awe inspiring. He is a true American success story. Proving once again that a parent who tempers love and disipline with a strong sense of self worth, can over come unbelievably difficult obstacles. Too many parents believe, as the government does, give them everything. Ben's mother had the intuitive belief that education and good values would prove far more valuable. I believe that this gentleman should if at all possible, seek an office in the public service sector. I believe he could very well be the next president of this great land. Looking forward to any future books.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

His humble way of describing his childhood, teen years and young adulthood. He did not shy away from telling how as a child the discrimination he experienced hurt him deeply. His recounting of the years of being treated as a second class citizen, instead of holding on to the hurt and anger he felt, he used the it as a type of fuel to do better and prove his self-worth. His candid accounts are heartbreaking. Yet there is no lingering loathing. Only a desire to give back. I admire this man greatly.

Which character – as performed by Dion Graham – was your favorite?

The author himself.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to any further books, articles or blogs from Ben Carson. Once again, I believe he has what it takes to be a leader. I am curious as to the role his wife played in the writing of this book. My guess is she is a great asset to a great man!

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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America's finest citizen

Would you consider the audio edition of America the Beautiful to be better than the print version?

a wonderful book filled with hope for America!! Just common sense and getting back to what our founding fathers wanted for America! A must read!

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It was so good, I have listened to it twice!

If you could sum up America the Beautiful in three words, what would they be?

Refreshing common sense.

Any additional comments?

Even though this is common sense, it is nice to hear it reiterated in a straight forward package and easy to understand (for low information voters). Spot on topics.

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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very G.O.P propagandish

Would you try another book from Ben Carson, M.D. and Candy Carson and/or Dion Graham?

I have read Dr. Carsons first book and thought I would like this one. I expected to read about what he has observed and learned through his journey of being a Neuro surgeon and his take on life in America in general. but what I heard is what I have been hearing for the the past few years (almost verbatim) of the Republican platform. I wanted to connect with his words, not the GOP words. As an African-American woman who started in the

What was most disappointing about Ben Carson, M.D. and Candy Carson ’s story?

the seemingly hidden agenda leaning towards a republican party platform

How could the performance have been better?

the reading was fine

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

no

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Common sense that we need!

Any additional comments?

Ben Carson's common sense approach is exactly what our country needs. I really like it how he doesn't promote any one political party. He simply promotes common sense approaches to the problems of the United States.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely wonderful story

Would you consider the audio edition of America the Beautiful to be better than the print version?

Only in one case, chapter 2

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Ben Carson. Mother! The mother who raised thes two men should get a Pulitzer prize!
It is so enlightening to hear a story about an individual who was raised in poverty, by a absolutely wonderful single mother who demanded their best efforts in every school course through reading. While meeting Dr. Carson would be a life experience, second to none, his mother would be my first choice.

Have you listened to any of Dion Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No yet

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

None

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Smart people with substance... who needs em?

Our country gravitates to all the wrong types of people. Among other statistics, divorce rates show we have no idea what we're doing when it comes to judging who is good people and who is not. Ben Carson is good people. My kids had to read and write about Ben Carson's life so I thought I would read about another blowhard liberal like Obama. I am shocked to see the teachers recommending Ben Carson as a person to be read about frankly. But when you read about Ben Carson you read about a guy who worked hard got a little lucky but really seems to be a guy you want to root for because he was probably almost always doing the right thing. Guy is not oriented toward politics, yet and if you read this book and understand a little bout economics, business, and politics you'll see he is naive.

I'd like to see a smart hard working accomplished person who hasn't thought about political office get thrown into a high political office. As this book shows he hasn't thought deeply about all the issues, but he certainly is a good person for a representative democracy. Remember the days when you were supposed to pick someone you trusted? No longer. We have smart unaccomplished people who are professional politicians because they constantly know how a vote or stance on a political issue will impact their next election. Instead of figuring out what the right thing to do is they just conduct a poll.

Anyway, Ben Carson lays it bear for all to read. What motivates him, what he thinks makes this country great, what should be done to get us headed in the right direction, etc. It is a good book and he is a great guy. However, don't get this book thinking it is a book written by a slick politician. Some of his answers strike me as wrong and some as non-starters politically. I'd hire this guy as my representative tomorrow as he is earnest, honest and accomplished. Unfortunately, books like this will make him politically untenable. Above all else our country want politically tenable people because we are weak people who lack good judgment.

So get this book if you find his life story interesting and want to know more about his philosophies, beliefs, etc. Don't get it thinking this guy is the answer to our country's problems. He's too good a man for that.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great success story & reasonable ideas for America

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the Dr Carson's refusal to become a victim because of his early circumstances.

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