‘Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes’ Book Review

Steven B. Smith’s Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes judiciously performs the needed task of recalling why the natural love and piety most of us have for our respective countries is not only decent but virtuous. Proceeding in Socratic fashion, Smith asks, “What is patriotism, and who is a patriot? Does patriotism require us to affirm ‘my country right or wrong’ or to protest at injustice?” Is patriotism really a virtue, or is it something we should progress beyond? And how do we manage the inevitable conflict of loyalties among country, family, and faith? These…