The Moral Compass

Simon & Schuster

Company type	Publishing company
Industry	Publishing
Founded	1924
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Products	Books
Website	www.simonandschuster.com

The Moral Compass (bearing the subtitle A Companion to The Book of Virtues and Stories for a Life's Journey) is a 1995 compilation curated by William Bennett. Serving as a sequel to the 1993 volume The Book of Virtues, it is organized into seven sections that correspond to various phases of life, incorporating selections from Western and diverse cultural traditions. Similar to its predecessor, the anthology predominantly features public-domain works, with the complexity of texts increasing chapter by chapter, each prefaced by an introduction from Bennett.

Although Bennett initially envisioned Virtues as a standalone work, considerable reader enthusiasm prompted the creation of this follow-up, which was released by Simon & Schuster in October 1995. The publication garnered largely favorable critiques; within its first year, 730,000 copies were produced and 550,000 sold. The book's success also inspired two children's adaptations and the 1996 PBS animated series Adventures from the Book of Virtues.

Overview

Mirroring the framework of the 1993 edition, The Moral Compass is divided into seven chapters that explore distinct life stages: "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". This organizational concept was developed by Bob Asahina, vice president and senior editor at Simon & Schuster. The anthology mainly sources public-domain material, advancing from straightforward to more sophisticated writings; each excerpt is accompanied by a concise introduction authored by Bennett.

Included contributors encompass figures such as Thornton W. Burgess, Alexis de Tocqueville, Emily Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, Edward Lear, Theodore Roosevelt, Sojourner Truth, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Mother Teresa, Mark Twain, and Eudora Welty among others. Frequently featured authors include Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, and Oscar Wilde. Biographical narratives highlight individuals such as Ludwig van Beethoven, John Milton, Florence Nightingale, and Jackie Robinson, alongside legendary figures like Pocahontas and explorer John Smith. Publishers Weekly notes that the majority of selections originate from eras emphasizing masculine ideals within European or Western contexts, though some pieces are drawn from African, Asian, and Latin American heritages.

Development

After the unexpected popularity of The Book of Virtues, published by Simon & Schuster in November 1993,<ref> William Bennett—former Secretary of Education and head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy—initially dismissed the prospect of a sequel but was ultimately convinced by audience interest and suggestions.<ref> This led to development efforts for both print and multimedia follow-ups between March and September 1994,<ref> with print editions modeled closely after the original 1993 work.<ref> John Cribb, a former speechwriter for the Education Department and Bennett’s associate, returned as assistant editor.<ref> The official title for this successor, The Moral Compass, was announced in May 1995.<ref> Bennett humorously remarked on the title choice as "Maybe I'll call [it] 'Son of the Book of Virtues'."<ref>

Release

The Moral Compass was released on October 20, 1995, entering the The New York Times Best Seller List (Nonfiction) at number 15 for the November 5 edition. Of the initial 730,000 copies printed, 550,000 were sold within the first year. Its launch was accompanied by two related titles aimed at younger readers: The Book of Virtues for Young People and The Children's Book of Virtues. Additionally, the 1996 PBS animated series Adventures from the Book of Virtues premiered alongside these publications.

Reception

Overall, The Moral Compass received mostly favorable reviews, though some critiques were noted. Kirkus referred to it as "a colorful patchwork... irresistible for bedtime reading," and Steve Lee from Arizona's The Daily Courier gave a positive recommendation. Robert Kaiser of the Lexington Herald-Leader described it as a "reassuring read" and found it "more delightful" than its earlier counterpart, particularly highlighting Raymond Carver’s "Distance" as a notable inclusion. Melinda Miller from The Buffalo News observed that while the book would appeal to casual readers and parents, some sections felt outdated and overly simplistic. John Sweeney of Wilmington's News Journal commended the chosen texts but critiqued Bennett’s commentary as "distracted and often silly." Terry Teachout writing for the National Review appreciated the content but questioned whether its timing suited contemporary audiences.

Michael Walzer in The New Republic criticized the book’s storytelling approach and moralizing tone, describing Bennett's retellings as humorously suspicious. Bob Hoover of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pointed out shortcomings in paper quality and illustrations, likening them to clip art, and suggested incorporating more modern examples to enhance moral education efforts.

On an international scale, responses were positive: Canada’s The Kitchener Record endorsed it for use in homes, schools, or church collections, while Malaysia’s New Straits Times recognized Bennett’s occasionally preachy style but valued the compilation’s ethical guidance.

External links

• Official publisher's site