World War III Is Not News: But Doing What It Takes To Win Would Be

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently described 9/11, the conflict in the Middle East, and the trouble with North Korea and Iran, as the "beginnings of World War III." But that's not news to any twelve-year-old who has read a new, and unique, American history book: Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, by Michael S. Class.

In the book, Anthony, the author’s real-life son, travels through time to witness the seminal events of the twentieth century: Anthony meets the heroes of America's past. Class uses advanced digital photography to place Anthony in real historical photographs of Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, Audie Murphy, and soldiers on Normandy beach on D-Day. Anthony’s conversations with the heroes of the past are based on things they really said, all properly footnoted. The Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com, displays some of the book's amazing photographs.

"I wanted to capture the interest of today's kids," says Class, "by turning American history into a grand time travel adventure - with a moral lesson. This is a history book with a message for the present day."

At the close of World War II, Anthony reflects on all that he has seen. "I felt a deep shame for humanity as a whole," he says, "but I couldn’t help thinking that all the horrors I had seen during this war were somehow connected - that the thirty-six million dead, the Death Camps in Europe, and the dropping of two atomic bombs were all part of the shameful price for not stopping evil early enough. It's a lesson that has been forgotten. In my time, evil is the cause of a new World War. And, once again, it's an evil that was ignored and allowed to grow stronger."

"Anthony is referring to the War on Terrorism," says Class. "The War on Terrorism pits the forces of freedom and democracy against the forces of radical Islamic tyranny. Anthony sees the new World War begin on 9/11 - the date the war came to America's shores, the date I decided to write the book, and the date that Anthony steps through the Magic Picture Frame and into America's past."

Anthony travels back in time so that young readers can see their modern world in the light of the lessons of the past. Anthony compares the people and events of the past with the people and events of his own time.

"In the new World War," says Anthony in a comparison to World War II, "the forces of good clearly have the power to prevail over the forces of evil - it’s only the will to do what is necessary to win that is in doubt. People demand endless negotiation with the Hitlers of my time, limited responses to brutal attacks, and quick exits from the fields of battle. They seem to be angry that their daily routine has been disrupted, not that the foes of freedom are on the march. And the men and women who risk the supreme sacrifice to fight for what is right? They are less appreciated, and even mocked."

"It's not an easy book," says Class, "but our children are not living in an easy time. Anthony discusses the nature of good and evil, right and wrong, war and peace, what it means to be an American, honor and discipline, success and achievement, courage and destiny, marriage and family, God and purpose."

And that is where Class offers hope to his young readers. From his discussions with America's heroes, Anthony learns that "the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose, one person really can make a difference, and doing the right thing always matters."

Every chapter of the book carries that inspiring message. The chapter about Lindbergh’s flight is really about choosing one’s destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is one of a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about the benefits of hard work. The story of Apollo 11 is about wonder, taking risks, and courage. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk and the cure for polio is really about dedicating one’s life to a higher purpose. When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island in 1907, it’s really a story about what it means to be an American. Anthony’s observation of D-Day and the liberation of the death camps during the Holocaust is a testament to the reality of evil and the need to fight it.

A quote from British philosopher Edmund Burke opens the chapter on World War II: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Says Class: "Let's raise good men and women who will resolve to take action in the face of evil."

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame was named Outstanding Book of the Year and Most Original Concept of 2006 by Independent Publisher, Reviewers Choice by Midwest Book Review, and Editor's Pick by Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling Online. Nationally syndicated talk-show host Michael Medved calls the book "entertaining and educational." Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin says "parents and teachers will appreciate the inspiring message this unique history book holds for America's next generation. I recommend this book to all young Americans, may they take us to the stars and beyond."

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame (hardcover, 225 pages, $35) is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, by calling toll-free 1-800-247-6553, at select bookstores, and on www.amazon.com.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame includes built-in tools for parents and teachers: recommendations for hundreds of books, movies, songs, and places to visit, keyed to the subjects of each chapter. The author's Web site includes a fun final exam; the author's blog is a place for readers to discuss the book's moral lessons (www.MagicPictureFrame.blogspot.com).

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