America is only as strong as Americans themselves. That’s why we have to reclaim both our national pride and a sense of perspective. Having grown up in and around factories, John Ratzenberger gets an up-close view of the American industries whose products and workers once made our nation into the most self-sufficient in the world. Yet with companies opting every day to move their factories overseas, it sometimes seems that we’re losing more than our jobs. We may also be losing our way as Americans. Too many of us equate a country that’s not perfect with one that’s inferior. No country, not even America, can survive a chronic lack of national pride or the idea that patriotism is only for the mindless. Nor can the American way of life endure without a profound appreciation for hard work and the products created by skillful hands.

In this collection of insightful essays, John captures what most of us hold dear in our hearts but which too few of us declare loudly and proudly. John points out:

• how political correctness is destroying American tradition.
• where the Woodstock generation went wrong.
• why we still have nothing to fear but fear.
• how we became a civilization that honors failure instead of success.

In his witty and fun-loving style, John reveals the pinnacles and pitfalls of our nation’s culture and reminds us why we love America.

John Ratzenberger left his hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut for a three-week visit to London that lasted ten years. While abroad John acted in over thirty films, including Gandhi, A Bridge Too Far, The Empire Strikes Back, Reds, and Ragtime; wrote for British television; and toured Europe with the successful two-man improv troupe called Sal’s Meat Market, often in languages he didn’t understand. Returning home, he invented his Emmy-nominated role as Cliff on the legendary show Cheers and has since voiced a character in every Pixar movie from Toy Story to Cars. Currently, he produces and hosts John Ratzenberger's Made in America, a show that celebrates the American spirit of innovation and invention. A garage thinker and tinker, John lives life to the gunnels and likes to play bocce ball.

Joel Engel is a New York Times bestselling author or co-author of more than a dozen books including the co-author of "We've Got It Made In America." For a list of books by Joel, click here.