Behind the Scenes With Steve Guttenberg

Kenneth LaFave

You might think that actor Steve Guttenberg, known for the role of Mahoney in the “Police Academy” movies—a character who once gave a speech with his fly unzipped—would find just about everything a source of hilarity. But there’s one thing at least that he is dead serious about: honoring his mother and father. Guttenberg honors them with a passion that informs his new book, “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.” A series of vignettes that alternate memories of growing up with reminiscences of his adult life, it’s a history of the journey Guttenberg took from humble

Elizabeth Tabish Takes On Leading Role in ‘Between Borders’

Randy Tatano

From ‘Saved by the Bell’ to ‘Access Hollywood,’ Mario Lopez Credits Faith and Family For Success in Showbiz and Beyond

Kenneth LaFave

How Former Supermodel Kathy Ireland Built a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company by Instilling Trust Into a Brand Name

It all started with selling rocks. When Kathy Ireland was 4 years old, she collected rocks, painted them,

Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian Makes Food a Family Affair

These days, place settings at your dinner table might look like this: a knife, fork, spoon—and cell phone.

THE LATEST POSTS

If Walls Could Talk: Touring James Madison’s Virginia Family Home at Montpelier

Bob Kirchman

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which

Best Bargain of All Time: How Thomas Jefferson Doubled the Size of America at Five Cents per Acre

Kathy Weiser-Alexander

One of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest achievements was the Louisiana Purchase, in which the United States acquired 828,800 square miles of the French

An American Dream, Full of Gratitude

Annie Wu

Deep in the woodlands of upstate New York, in the early 2000s, a group of elite artists who had escaped persecution in

The Man Who Predicted Pearl Harbor

Jeff Minick

Shortly after noon on July 21, 1921, bombs from American aircraft exploded beside the former German battleship Ostfriesland, already damaged by several

Southern Holiday Recipes That Have Stood the Test of Time

Andria Pressel

Southern baking, writes veteran cookbook author Anne Byrn, is “quite possibly the first and finest style of baking America has ever known.”

The 6 Most Charming Southern Towns in America

Tim Johnson

There’s nothing quite like a sunny day in a small Southern town. Whether you’re on the coast, the bayou, or the rippling

A Purpose Beyond the Badge: Houston Cop Brings Children Together to Help Their Communities

Hazel Atkins

From the time he was a teenager, Sheldon Theragood has mentored young kids. With dreams of becoming an NBA basketball player, Mr.

portrait

Texas Native and Miss NTD Pageant Winner on Discovering Traditional Feminine Virtues and What Real Beauty Is

Ileana Alescio

When the hosts of the Miss NTD pageant announced the winner, it took Cynthia Sun a few moments to realize she had

A Recipe for Peace, One Cooking Class at a Time

Crystal Shi

We arrive at Shandra Woworuntu’s home in Queens, New York, on a Sunday afternoon, six strangers on another stranger’s doorstep, buzzing with

SUBSCRIBE TO AMERICAN ESSENCE MAGAZINE

Rediscover the Best of America

American Essence focuses on traditional American values and great American stories. It recounts significant historical events, from the time of the Founding Fathers through today, including average Americans who want to give back to their communities and country.

PREVIEW THE LATEST ISSUE

In This Edition...

Strength in Numbers

Self-reliance is more than achieving personal independence—it’s about honoring the bonds that make us brave.