To the editor:

Every American who was angered by the Sept. 11, 2001, assault on our country and has grown increasingly impatient with Americans who are apologists for the terrorists and who denigrate our government's actions and motives would do well to read Bill Bennett's updated book (with two new chapters), "Why We Fight." He speaks with clarity and authority, having served as a distinguished former secretary of education.

The book is an excellent defense of patriotism and reminds many of us that in America "we have forgotten what we once knew about our freedoms and our decencies, and have forgotten why time and time again we have had to rally ourselves to the point of ultimate sacrifice to defend them. Many of us have forgotten the truth we once knew about the heritage of our Western civilization ... or whether we have a right to reclaim it. The time has come to begin remembering and to rearm."

It is a well-thought-out book and an excellent read. Unfortunately, you will have to special order it or get it over the Internet, because it was not available at our local bookstores.

JOAN D. STEHR

Cape Girardeau