In the mailbox: Peggy Noonan's new book

It's called Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It Now.

I read Peggy Noonan's weekly column for the Wall Street Journal faithfully, but lately I've begun to ask myself if I read it necessarily for her insights, or for her beautiful prose.

Reading her latest title, I hope to answer the former question, and either way, reap the benefits of the latter observation.

The book description:

In this long season of searing political attacks and angry partisan passions, Peggy Noonan's Wall Street Journal column has been must reading for thoughtful liberals and conservatives alike.

Now she issues an urgent, heartfelt call for all Americans to see each other anew, realize what time it is, and come together to support the next President—whoever he is. Because it is not the threats and challenges we face, but how we face them that defines us as a nation.

The terrible events of 9/11 brought us together in a way not seen since World War II. But the stresses and divisions of the Bush years have driven us apart to a point that is unhealthy and destructive.

Today, Noonan argues, the national mood is for a change in our politics and it is well past time for politicians to catch up. Americans are tired of the old partisan divisions and the campaign tricks that seek to widen and exploit them. We long for leaders who can summon us to greatness and unity, as they did in the long struggles against fascism and communism.

In this timely little book, written in the pamphleteering tradition of Tom Paine's Common Sense, Noonan reminds us that we must face our common challenges together—not by rising above partisanship, but by reaffirming what it means to be American. [More here.]

I also must remind myself to read this book of hers sometime: "Simply Speaking - How to Communicate Your Ideas with Style, Substance, and Clarity."

For anyone whose had to suffer through the twisted grammatical and syntactical results of my late-night blogging sessions, you have my sincere sympathy! =)