The Book of Virtues
| Company type | Anthology |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | William Bennett |
| Products | Anthology of moral stories |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
The Book of Virtues (bearing the subtitle A Treasury of Great Moral Stories) is an anthology compiled in 1993 by William Bennett. It contains 370 excerpts organized into ten chapters, each dedicated to a distinct virtue and arranged to increase in difficulty. This collection draws from both ancient and contemporary sources, including the Bible, Greek mythology, Aesop's Fables, William Shakespeare, Brothers Grimm, as well as writers such as Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Oscar Wilde.
Bennett, who previously served as the United States Secretary of Education, began assembling the anthology around 1988 after educators pointed out deficiencies in moral instruction. The project was temporarily halted during his leadership of the Office of National Drug Control Policy but recommenced by 1990 with assistance from speechwriter John Cribb. Bennett intended for the book to serve as a modern counterpart to McGuffey's Readers.
Released by Simon & Schuster in November 1993 with an initial print run of 40,000 copies, The Book of Virtues faced initial doubts from its publisher and received mixed critical responses but ultimately remained on the New York Times Best Seller for more than 80 weeks, reaching the top position in January 1994. Within six months, sales approached three million copies.
Though originally planned as a single volume, high demand led Bennett to publish follow-up titles such as The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life's Journey (1995) and editions tailored for younger readers. In 1996, PBS adapted it into the animated series Adventures from the Book of Virtues. By the early 2000s, the franchise expanded into merchandise, sustained print versions until 2008, and inspired various conservative, liberal, and Christian-themed alternatives along with a parody. A rival’s response to the official spin-offs triggered a trademark-infringement lawsuit spanning from 1995 to 1997. An updated 30th-anniversary edition was issued in 2022.
Overview
Designed to support youth moral development, The Book of Virtues assembles 370 passages sourced from a wide variety of materials across ten chapters, each centered on a particular virtue: self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty, and faith. The chapters are structured to move from simpler to more complex texts. Compiler William Bennett contributes two pages of commentary per virtue along with brief notes accompanying each excerpt. He suggests that readers explore the anthology selectively rather than reading it sequentially. Roughly 85% of its content is drawn from public domain works spanning three thousand years. Recent notable inclusions feature "Instant Hero," which first appeared in the 1982 The Washington Post.
The volume begins with a passage from Plato's Republic, underscoring the significance of early moral instruction.
Highlighted narratives encompass:
- "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Adventures of Pinocchio authored by Carlo Collodi
- A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens
- Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge
- "Jack and the Beanstalk"
- "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" penned by Leo Tolstoy
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- "The Little Engine That Could", attributed to Rev. Charles S. Wing
Mythical and legendary figures such as Daedalus and Icarus,Robin Hood and Little John,William Tell, and an anecdotal portrayal of George Washington (the cherry tree story) are included. Four poems by Robert Frost—"The Pasture", "A Time to Talk", "Mending Wall", and "The Road Not Taken"—are featured as well. An edited version of George Washington's Farewell Address is presented, omitting references to foreign alliances. Among the briefest entries is Ernest Shackleton's call for expedition volunteers:
MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY...Honor and recognition in case of success.
Additional selections derive from the Bible,Aesop's Fables, African and Native American folklore, Grimms' Fairy Tales, and works by authors including Hilaire Belloc,Willa Cather,F. Scott Fitzgerald,Rudyard Kipling,Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,Theodore Roosevelt,Babe Ruth,William Shakespeare, and Oscar Wilde.
Biographical sketches in the original edition featured individuals such as Susan B. Anthony,Rosa Parks,Anne Sullivan, and Harriet Tubman. The 30th-anniversary release (2022) incorporated profiles of figures like Mother Teresa, Navy SEAL Michael P. Murphy, and heroes from the events of the September 11 attacks. The book’s back cover displays a photograph of Bennett alongside his wife Elayne and their two sons.
Development
William Bennett, who served as Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan, created The Book of Virtues as a response to educators' difficulties in imparting shared moral values to students from varied backgrounds. Originally designed as an instructional resource, Bennett described the endeavor as a "labor of love," intending to produce a contemporary version of the McGuffey's Reader tailored for the 1990s. Although the anthology includes works by political figures, Bennett aimed to minimize overt political messaging. This volume was part of a two-book agreement worth $187,000 with Simon & Schuster, which also included The De-Valuing of America.
The collection was aimed at both young readers and adults alike. In his preface, Bennett emphasized that the book deliberately steers clear of divisive subjects such as nuclear war, abortion, and euthanasia. In a 1995 discussion with Publishers Weekly, he revealed that his research involved examining early 20th-century children’s literature to recapture the clear educational values characteristic of that period.
Bennett commenced work on both Virtues and De-Valuing around 1988 after concluding his secretaryship, pausing during his time as head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He turned down the opportunity to chair the Republican National Committee in 1990 to concentrate on fulfilling his publishing commitments. Collaborating with John Cribb, a former speechwriter for the Education Department who received partial royalties, Bennett assembled the anthology. After initial struggles finding a publisher, they returned to Simon & Schuster, accepting a modest $5,000 advance for Virtues.
Release
The first public mention of The Book of Virtues appeared in a May 1993 article by the Chicago Tribune profiling Bennett; Simon & Schuster released the book in November 1993. A four-volume audiobook edition was issued in September 1994, featuring readings by Bennett alongside guest narrators such as Michael York and Dana Ivey. Notably, Charlton Heston recited "The Ten Commandments" from Exodus. In January 1994, Bennett discussed the anthology on C-SPAN's Booknotes. Subsequently, California Republican Senate hopeful Michael Huffington promoted the book through a campaign commercial.
Internationally, an edition translated into Latin American Spanish (El libro de las virtudes) was published by Javier Vergara in Argentina in 1995, coinciding with an Australian release by Bookman Press. The 30th anniversary edition published in 2022 preserved the original list of virtues but omitted several sections while incorporating new content that accounts for one-third of the revised text.
Sales
Upon its debut on December 26, 1993, Virtues entered The New York Times Best Seller List (Nonfiction) at number 13. It climbed to the top position by its fourth week (January 16, 1994) and maintained its presence on the chart for 88 consecutive weeks through late 1995—ranking as one of the longest runs by 2014. When it reached number one, Howard Stern’s Private Parts held second place—a fact noted by The Washington Post's E. J. Dionne as indicative of public appetite for stronger moral guidance.
Despite modest initial expectations and minimal promotion with a print run of only 40,000 copies, sales surged to nearly 95,000 during Christmas week of 1993. Fueled by positive word-of-mouth, sales exceeded half a million by late February 1994 following fourteen printings totaling over 635,000 copies; within six months figures ranged between approximately 1.9 and 3 million copies sold. This success positioned it among the decade’s best-selling titles and represented an unexpected triumph for Simon & Schuster. The Los Angeles Times described it as "one of the most unlikely" hits in recent years, while the Washingtonian noted its cross-political and religious appeal alongside competition from Hollywood biographies and popular self-help books. Within two years, it became widely incorporated into elementary educational programs.
At a May 1995 fundraising event, Bennett remarked that his sales outpaced Howard Stern’s eightfold and Roseanne Barr’s fivefold, reflecting strong interest in earnest subject matter. Estimated earnings from this title reached $5 million, enabling Bennett to acquire a North Carolina property he dubbed "the beach house virtue built." He reportedly received annual royalties around $50,000. According to Rolling Stone, Bennett evolved into a "one-man empire" through his Virtues franchise—a reputation reinforced during the airing of its animated adaptation. Although reaching fewer than one percent of Americans by late 1993, Bennett expressed hope that another entity might distribute the book royalty-free to broaden its audience.
Reviews
Reactions to The Book of Virtues were mixed from its initial release. In January 1994, two reviews appeared in The Washington Post, authored by Laura Sessions Stepp and E. J. Dionne. Stepp commended Bennett’s avoidance of more controversial issues but criticized its narrow focus on classical Western sources, likening it to a philosophy aligned with Catholic boys’ schooling. Dionne offered a more positive perspective, highlighting Bennett’s thematic organization around ten virtues and its resonance across socioeconomic groups.
Mainstream critics expressed diverse opinions: David Brooks writing for The Wall Street Journal suggested that while content might appeal to children shaped by adults’ influence, children could still enjoy stories even if unaware they functioned as moral lessons. John Allen Paulos in the NYT Book Review found the inspirational selections abundant but faulted disorganized structure. Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum assigned a C− grade, describing it as a "textbook of Trad Value Lit" with an overly serious conservative tone. Conversely, Barbara Hall from The Baltimore Sun praised its insightful discoveries and considered it a substantial contribution. Talk-show host Larry King called it "very readable and very important."
Time magazine recommended offering Virtues to new parents as an essential resource. Digby Anderson writing in the National Review described it as an indispensable treasury for conservative parents. The conservative publication Human Events listed it among top conservative books for that year and characterized it as capturing cultural values shaping America. While generally favorable overall, Nick Gillespie from Reason questioned some inclusions such as "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and "The Three Little Pigs," challenging Bennett’s idea of a shared pre-media ideal.
Regarding the updated edition marking thirty years since publication, Robert Pondiscio in City Journal observed ongoing thematic diversity and suggested adding tolerance as an additional virtue.
Religious reviewers generally responded positively: Rosemary O'Donnell labeled it "one of the truly great anthologies." Jean Porter from The Christian Century appreciated its breadth but found it less countercultural than some supporters claimed. Academically, W. Charles Breiner writing in the Journal of Education recommended it for timely moral reflection amid social challenges in America; he praised its balanced portrayal of virtues alongside vices emphasizing moral agency.
Critics were reserved regarding Bennett’s own editorial voice: Paulos noted Bennett did not strongly assert himself despite his outspoken reputation; Thomas Curwen from People found some views self-serving or presumptuous; Porter described his tone as occasionally wise or humorous but sometimes smug.
Critiques
A critical essay by Martha Nussbaum in The New Republic argued that the anthology vacillates between optimistic simplicity akin to Reader's Digest and more demanding hopefulness—highlighting both straightforward patriotism and indications of stricter ideals. Cultural critic Lee Siegel condemned Bennett for blurring political distinctions between right and left-wing perspectives and called the work both unintelligent and unethical. Scholar James Q. Wilson pointed out that including speeches like Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address presents arguments rather than narrative stories. Michelle Ann Abate’s 2010 book criticized moral maxims within as overly neat but impractical or potentially harmful due to tonal inconsistencies; Darcia Narvaez in 2002 challenged Bennett’s reliance on passive reading theory for moral development through storytelling.
Criticism also targeted selection diversity and historical scope: Henry L. Carrigan Jr. described quality ranging from excellent to overly sentimental while noting lack of female and non-Western representation; he suggested virtues are portrayed predominantly through Western male experiences. Nussbaum observed that emphasis on slavery and racial equality complicates some complacent messages within the anthology. Siegel highlighted limited African-American content—a concern quantified by Abate who found only six such selections included. Abate further criticized focus on Western civilization with scarce Asian-American or Latin American authorship; Native American stories were often retellings by non-indigenous writers; she also noted dated passages and antiquated cover art style.
Sessions Stepp raised concerns about gender stereotyping and absence of contemporary viewpoints; she observed omission of twentieth-century material implies morality belongs solely to past eras.
Wilson remarked on absence of an explicit justice chapter; he felt related narratives did not translate well into story form. Sessions Stepp added fairness was missing despite being crucial during early moral development stages—suggesting either ignorance or disregard on Bennett’s part regarding this virtue’s importance.
Additional virtues proposed include frugality (James A. Nash, 1998) and gratitude (Dan P. McAdams & Jack J. Bauer, 2004).
Susan Moore writing for Melbourne’s IPA Review criticized much poetry as greeting-card quality and many prose pieces as clichéd but acknowledged usefulness as an entry point for adults seeking moral literature suitable for children; she found retellings diluted compared to original texts which carried greater emotional weight.
Curwen noted striking juxtapositions within Bennett's selections—such as pairing Aesop's fables with classical philosophical works.
Wired magazine critic Jon Katz accused Bennett of profiting from sanitized moralistic tales without addressing needs of children from lower-income backgrounds.
Bennett faced irony accusations: accepting adaptation offers despite prior TV critiques (1995), admitting smoking while serving as "Drug Czar" (1997), and revelations about gambling habits (2003).
Several analysts recognized Bennett’s inspiration drawn from Victorian-era McGuffey readers along with nostalgia for his generation’s values and sanitization efforts within stories.
Gillespie characterized the anthology as revealing a softer facet compared to Bennett's tougher public persona during his drug policy tenure—a view echoed by Dionne Jr.
Christian conservative themes were evident; Siegel noted frequent references to "God."
Predictions by Newsweek foresaw that success with Virtues might bolster Bennett's bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1996; however, he withdrew from consideration by August 1994.
Legacy
Although initially dismissing plans for sequels to The Book of Virtues, Bennett reversed course due to reader enthusiasm and award nominations.
This resulted in multiple follow-up print editions and multimedia projects released between March and September 1994—with Bennett humorously dubbing one sequel "Son of the Book of Virtues."
Following the original format from 1993, subsequent print volumes included The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life's Journey, along with two youth-oriented spin-offs: The Book of Virtues for Young People and The Children's Book of Virtues, all published in 1995; additional titles continued emerging up until 2008.
A Washington Post article from 1998 cited Bennett's franchise exemplifying market saturation tactics whereby authors rapidly produce sequels catering simultaneously to consumer demand and merchandising opportunities.
The Moral Compass
Subtitled as a companion volume to The Book of Virtues, The Moral Compass organizes content into seven chapters covering various life phases: "Home and Hearth," "Into the World," "Standing Fast," "Easing the Path," "Mothers and Fathers, Husbands and Wives," "Citizenship and Leadership," and "What We Live By."
Selections include writings from Alexis de Tocqueville, Emily Dickinson, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde among others.
According to Publishers Weekly, most passages reflect periods when masculine virtues predominated culturally with men central figures—primarily drawn from European or Western traditions—but also incorporating notable African, Asian, and Latin American contributions.
Simon & Schuster vice president Bob Asahina developed this chapter framework.
Released on October 20, 1995,The Moral Compass debuted at number fifteen on The New York Times Nonfiction list dated November 5.
From an initial printing exceeding 730,000 copies, approximately 550,000 sold within one year.
Critical reception was mostly favorable including positive reviews from The Kitchener Record, Kirkus Reviews, and New Straits Times.
However mixed responses appeared within National Review, while The New Republic issued a notably weak critique.
Children's spin-offs
Designed specifically for younger audiences is The Book of Virtues for Young People, which simplifies content from the original edition targeting adolescent readers.
Meanwhile,The Children's Book of Virtues, launched with an initial print run half a million copies, features over thirty stories accompanied by illustrations created by Michael Hague.
Bennett developed this version expressly to render material more accessible for children.
Over subsequent years he expanded this line further with titles including:
- The Children's Book of Heroes (1997)
- The Children's Book of America (1998)
- The Children's Book of Faith (2000)
- The Children's Treasury of Virtues (2000)
- The Children's Book of Home and Family (2002)
- The Book of Virtues for Girls and Boys (2008)
Competitors
Bennett's work helped spawn a subgenre focused on conservative-themed children's literature aligned with broader virtue ethics initiatives.
Early competitors comprised Richard Brookhiser's George Washington-centered biography titled Founding Father (1996).
In response to critiques over selection biases within Bennett's anthology,HarperCollins published November 1995's liberal alternative titled A Call to Character, co-authored by Parade columnist Colin Greer alongside educator Herbert Kohl.
This book shares six virtues with Bennett's volume but adds nine new categories distinctively different.
Christian-oriented counterparts emerged concurrently including Stuart and Jill Briscoe's The Family Book of Christian Values, along with Lissa Roche's The Christian's Treasury of Stories & Songs.
Additionally,in 1994 Pocket Books issued Tony Hendra's parody entitled The Book of Bad Virtues: A Treasure of Immortality, lampooning Bennett's approach.
In August 1995 Simon & Schuster initiated legal action against Dove Entertainment alleging trademark infringement concerning use of the 'Virtues' brand after Dove released The Children's Audiobook of Virtues' along with plans for their own book.'
Dove subsequently withdrew these titles following litigation; courts upheld infringement claims based on Lanham Act protections.'
By October 1997 Dove was ordered to remit all profits earned from infringing audiobooks plus certain legal expenses to Simon & Schuster along with compensation owed directly to Bennett.'
Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Inspired by the original collection published in 1993,PBS premiered its first primetime animated series titled Adventures from the Book of Virtues in 1996.
This series featured human protagonists Annie Redfeather and Zach Nichols accompanied by animal characters named Aristotle,Socrates,and Plato.'
Celebrity guest voices included Ed Asner,'Tim Curry,'Shelley Duvall,'Mark Hamill,'among others.'
Produced by PorchLight Entertainment with funding support from John M.Olin Foundation,the show ran three seasons until concluding in 2000.'
By the following decade reruns aired across more than sixty-five countries.'
Merchandising partnerships involved companies like Wendy's'and Chick-fil-A,'and home video releases were distributed via Warner Home Video.'
Click (2006)
Released June23,'2006,'the comedy film Click,'starring Adam Sandler who also produced,and directed by Frank Coraci,'was loosely inspired by The Book Of Virtues story "The Magic Thread."'
It follows Michael Newman,a workaholic who acquires a magical remote control capable manipulating reality.'
Notably,the film is Sandler's only production nominated at Academy Awards—for Best Makeup—but lost out to Pan's Labyrinth.'
See also
General
Further reading
- Early critique of Bennett's work.