The Lessons of American History

Mr. Class e-mailed me and graciously sent this story. The book looks like a wonderful way to teach children about our nation's history. I'm glad someone is willing to invest in them in this way. Too many teachers indoctrinate their students with Liberal rhetoric and hatred for America these days. If only they would recognize the great nation we live in.

This is also especially important in light of the protests by illegal aliens in recent days. These are people who couldn't care less about the United States of America as it is today, other than how we all can bankroll them. We must teach, apparently, everyone that there is a huge difference between legally immigrating to America and illegally invading America.

Confusion Over Immigration and Illegal Aliens One Reason Seattle Parent Wrote History Book

Student Walkouts on Immigration Policy Spotlight Why Book Was Written And Why Kids Need It, Says Author

Seattle, WA - Michael Class, a retired dot-com executive, aims to teach the lessons of American history and puts his money where his values are. Class founded a new publishing company, Magic Picture Frame Studio, and authored its first release, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame: An American history book for “right-thinking Americans and their children.”

"Sadly, too many high school students don’t know the difference between legal and illegal immigration," says Class. "But it’s not surprising, because their teachers and the news media call illegal aliens ‘immigrants’ and ‘undocumented workers’. Legal immigration means Americans are making conscious choices about who they admit for citizenship, illegal immigration is simply an invasion.”

In the book, Anthony, the author’s real-life son, time-travels to 1907 and meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island. Anthony listens as officials question the new arrivals and document their intentions in the United States. Anthony witnesses the personal impact of immigration policy: He sees some people turned away at America’s door, causing families to split up.

"It's a harsh lesson," says Class. "The purpose of immigration policy is to discriminate, to make choices about the people we want to admit to the United States."

Even when admitted to the United States, Anthony learns that life in the new land is anything but certain. Anthony’s great-grandfather masters the language of America and works his way through school, only to end up in the trenches of World War I, and then back in America during the Great Depression. Eventually, he starts a business, rises from poverty, and raises a family.

Watching his great-grandfather’s trials, Anthony develops an appreciation for the risk immigrants took when coming to America. "Many had sold every possession for their one-way ticket across the Atlantic,” explains Anthony. “In my own time, it would be like going to the moon, with no guarantee that your spacesuit would protect you once you got there, and no fuel for a return trip to Earth if something went wrong."

Class employed a unique method to share the story of America’s earlier immigrant experience with modern kids: He used advanced digital photography to insert Anthony into historical photographs. And Class didn’t stop with family history: Anthony meets famous American heroes and witnesses pivotal events of the 20th century. Anthony is pictured in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong, in the laboratories of Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk, and on Normandy beach on D-Day (see: www.MagicPictureFrame.com). Throughout the book, historical accuracy rules: Even Anthony’s conversations with America’s heroes are based on things they really said.

Class spoke with relatives of famous scientists and inventors, Holocaust survivors, award-winning biographers, and others who could help him ensure that the facts of the book were both accurate and vivid. The book includes more than 500 footnotes.

The book goes beyond a simple recitation of historical facts: The book presents the moral lessons of American history. The chapter about Lindbergh’s flight is really about choosing one’s destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is one of a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about business. The story of Apollo 11 is about wonder, taking risks, and courage. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk is really about dedicating one’s life to a higher purpose. Anthony’s observation of D-Day and the liberation of the death camps during the Holocaust is a testament to the reality of evil and the need to fight it. When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island, it’s really a story about what it means to be an American.

In a revealing conversation, Anthony’s great-grandfather says: “I became an American because I believe in America, and it’s my belief in America that makes me an American.” Anthony comes to realize the simple truth of the statement, and remarks: “America is an idea as much as it is a place. I am no different than my great-grandfather and all the immigrants who came to this land: I can only be an American by choice.”

"It's not an easy book," says Class. "The book challenges the reader to see the modern world in the light of the lessons of the past. The students who are walking out of school and protesting today should really be asking themselves why their cities and states encourage illegal immigration by offering benefits to illegal aliens. That’s a slap in the face to every legal immigrant who waited in line for their chance to come to America.”

Class recommends the book for grades 6 to 12, but adults will find the book challenging, too. Anthony compares the people and events of the past with the people and events of his own time. Anthony discusses the nature of good and evil, right and wrong, war and peace, what it means to be an American, honor and discipline, success and achievement, courage and destiny, marriage and family, God and purpose.

Class designed the book to help parents and teachers. The book includes recommendations for hundreds of books, movies, songs, and places to visit - exciting additions to a formal American history curriculum. Class considers the lists a “time machine” that kids can use to experience the past.

"We can't afford to raise a generation of Americans who do not value their country, their heritage, and their place in the world," insists Class. "As Abraham Lincoln said: America is the "last best hope of earth.""

You can see the fabulous pictures and pages here.