Timothy Ballard

I try not to quibble. And I try to avoid these types of books-- especially when "everyone's reading it. " But this was a first recommendation. And my policy is, if they seem sane and our opinion has aligned on a book at least once, to always take first recommendations. And, obviously, I liked it. I gave it 4 stars and am going to read his book about Lincoln. Ballard's research isn't bad. And his eager enjoyment of the topic isn't too overbearing (very often :P). Or maybe I'm just as crazy-interested in this topic.

But I have 2 quibbling points.
1. Has he even read Miracle at Philadelphia? Why did he stop where he did?

2. (And this is going to seem minute) The book is built on a premise that there is an American Covenant and that George Washington somehow knew about it. I would suggest, rather, that Washington knew his Bible. Why? Because it says the same thing. When Israel was righteous they were blessed. When they weren't, they were punished. Brought up in a good Puritan/Protestant household and obviously able to read, Washington would have known this. He would have also known Samuel's sorrow over the Israelites wanting a king. So I wouldn't say that the ties to an American Covenant are any different.

End of quibble. ;)… (mere)

I tend to be cautious about people that everyone applauds. Tim Ballard and the OUR org sound great on paper... but, given what they do, it's understandably difficult to check on their claims. So I'm... cautious. Thus, my approach to his liberating stories isn't as emotionally fueled as some. I also appreciate that his political leanings are less... overt... than some.*

If you've read his other books, this is definitely in the same vein. He's unabashedly interested and passionate about his quest(so the tone isn't as professional), but I find some of his research, or combining of pre-researched material?, interesting. I also discovered that my New England mental geography is wayyyyyy off. I thought Massachusetts was below NY. How embarrassing.

I have 3 minor quibbles, this time.

1. He should have read [b:Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God|9712487|Divine Signatures The Confirming Hand of God (Divine Guidance, #2)|Gerald N. Lund|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418796831l/9712487._SY75_.jpg|14601005]. There's some interesting coinciding information regarding the Louisiana Purchase.

2. He dealt quite well with the issues surrounding Columbus, I thought. He did not address the issues surrounding Sally Hennings. Not even a nod. Is that related? Wellll, yes. Especially since he was trying to prove how much Jefferson loved his wife.

3. I really liked Mann's point of view of Squanto/Tisquantum in [b:1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus|39020|1491 New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus|Charles C. Mann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545238592l/39020._SY75_.jpg|38742]. I feel like both his points and Ballard's points could be true.

These aside, I didn't feel like the book wasted my time. In fact, I enjoyed it. I hope, truly, that the root of cautiousness will be unfounded, that others will read and enjoy this book(particularly the last couple of chapters), and that we can find the hand of God in the messiness of life. Because it is messy. And because it is there.

*That one guy who thought he could tell a certain community how to vote in 2016 because he once played a certain New Testament figure is a good example. However, I was a little wary at the intro.… (mere)