Unlocking Your Inner Courage

April 11, 2016
Sociology professor and prolific author Fein (Evolution Versus Revolution) returns with a rambling treatise—by turns heartfelt and haranguing—on cultivating personal courage. Concerned that “the blandishments of cowardice are everywhere” in today’s America, he reassures his readers that courage is a choice. Drawing on his own, his family’s, and the nation’s experiences, he outlines a courageous past to which the future should aspire, along with strategies designed to help readers evaluate and conquer their gutless behavior. Unfortunately, Fein’s case for our lost national courage relies heavily on a simplistic and oddly defensive recap of U.S. history, accompanied by a heavy dose of patriotic platitudes. His analysis of current events and minority groups is even more off-base. He makes some dangerous equations: cowardice with requesting respect, personal achievement with economic success, free speech with offensive behavior, and respect for achievement with respect for a person’s humanity. Fein cares deeply about his subject, and he tries to be empowering, offering examples from his own life to inspire his readers. Though his advice can be useful, it’s drowned out by grumpy sermonizing on the “PC crowd” and the state of the nation.