Challenges to the American Founding

Download Challenges to the American Founding PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Lexington Books
ISBN 13 : 9780739108727
Total Pages : 318 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (87 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Challenges to the American Founding by : Ronald J. Pestritto

Download or read book Challenges to the American Founding written by Ronald J. Pestritto and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2005 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: American politics in the twentieth century and beyond represents a sharp departure from the political vision of the American founders. This volume looks to the roots of this departure in the political ideas of nineteenth-century America, where the first substantial challenges to the founders' thought arose.

The Founding Fathers

Download The Founding Fathers PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0190273518
Total Pages : 184 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (92 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Founding Fathers by : Richard B. Bernstein

Download or read book The Founding Fathers written by Richard B. Bernstein and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2015 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This concise and elegant contribution to the Very Short Introduction series reintroduces the history that shaped the founding fathers, the history that they made, and what history has made of them. The book provides a context within which to explore the world of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Hamilton, as well as their complex and still-controversial achievements and legacies.

Vindicating the Founders

Download Vindicating the Founders PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN 13 : 1442210273
Total Pages : 237 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (422 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Vindicating the Founders by : Thomas G. West

Download or read book Vindicating the Founders written by Thomas G. West and published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. This book was released on 2000-11-28 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This controversial, convincing, and highly original book is important reading for everyone concerned about the origins, present, and future of the American experiment in self-government.

The Founders on Citizenship and Immigration

Download The Founders on Citizenship and Immigration PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN 13 : 0742580458
Total Pages : 179 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (425 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Founders on Citizenship and Immigration by : Edward J. Erler

Download or read book The Founders on Citizenship and Immigration written by Edward J. Erler and published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. This book was released on 2007-02-23 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Working with the underlying premise that America's founding principles continue to be vital in the modern era, Erler, Marini, and West take a conservative look at immigration, one of today's most pressing political issues. Character_the capacity to live a life befitting republican citizens_is, as the Founders knew, crucial to the debate about immigration. The Founders on Citizenship and Immigration seeks to revive the issue of republican character in the current immigration debate and to elucidate the constitutional foundations of American citizenship. Published in cooperation with the Claremont Institute.

Four Threats

Download Four Threats PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : St. Martin's Press
ISBN 13 : 9781250244420
Total Pages : 304 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (444 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Four Threats by : Suzanne Mettler

Download or read book Four Threats written by Suzanne Mettler and published by St. Martin's Press. This book was released on 2020-08-11 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An urgent, historically-grounded take on the four major factors that undermine American democracy, and what we can do to address them. While many Americans despair of the current state of U.S. politics, most assume that our system of government and democracy itself are invulnerable to decay. Yet when we examine the past, we find that to the contrary, the United States has undergone repeated crises of democracy, from the earliest days of the republic to the present. In The Four Threats, Robert C. Lieberman and Suzanne Mettler explore five historical episodes when democracy in the United States was under siege: the 1790s, the Civil War, the Gilded Age, the Depression, and Watergate. These episodes risked profound, even fatal, damage to the American democratic experiment, and on occasion antidemocratic forces have prevailed. From this history, four distinct characteristics of democratic disruption emerge. Political polarization, racism and nativism, economic inequality, and excessive executive power – alone or in combination – have threatened the survival of the republic, but it has survived, so far. What is unique, and alarming, about the present moment is that all four conditions are present in American politics today. This formidable convergence marks the contemporary era as an especially grave moment for democracy in the United States. But history provides a valuable repository from which contemporary Americans can draw lessons about how democracy was eventually strengthened — or in some cases weakened — in the past. By revisiting how earlier generations of Americans faced threats to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, we can see the promise and the peril that have led us to the present and chart a path toward repairing our civic fabric and renewing democracy.

Understanding the Founding

Download Understanding the Founding PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : University Press of Kansas
ISBN 13 : 0700617523
Total Pages : 432 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (6 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Understanding the Founding by : Alan Gibson

Download or read book Understanding the Founding written by Alan Gibson and published by University Press of Kansas. This book was released on 2010-09-07 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first edition of Alan Gibson's Understanding the Founding is widely regarded as an invaluable guide to the last century's key debates surrounding America's founding. This new edition retains all of the strengths of the original while adding a substantial new section addressing a major but previously unaddressed issue and also significantly revising Gibson's invaluable conclusion and bibliography. In the original edition, which was built upon his previous work in Interpreting the Founding, Gibson addressed four key questions: Were the Framers motivated by their economic interests? How democratic was the Framers' Constitution? Should we interpret the Founding using philosophical or strictly historical approaches? What traditions of political thought were most important to the Framers? He focused especially on the preconceptions that scholars brought to these questions, explored the deepest sources of scholars' disagreements over them, and suggested new and thoughtful lines of interpretation and inquiry. His incisive analysis brought clarity to the complex and sprawling debates and shed new light on the institutional and intellectual foundations of the American political system. Gibson has now added a path-breaking new chapter entitled "How Could They Have Done That? Founding Scholarship and the Question of Moral Responsibility," which reprises and critiques on of the most important and vexing contemporary debates on the American founding. The new chapter focuses on how the men who fought a revolution in the name of liberty and declared to the world that "all men are created equal" could have supported the institution of slavery and even owned slaves themselves, accepted the legal and social subordination of women, and been responsible for Indian removal and genocide against Native Americans. Efforts to criticize or defend the Founders on these issues now constitute a daunting body of scholarship addressing what David Brion Davis has called the "dilemmas of slaveholding revolutionaries." Gibson's astute and fair-minded analysis of this scholarship offers keen insights into how we might move toward more mature and responsible evaluations of the Founders.

Founding Fathers 1760–1820

Download Founding Fathers 1760–1820 PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : A.J. Kingston
ISBN 13 : 183938428X
Total Pages : 299 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (393 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Founding Fathers 1760–1820 by : A.J. Kingston

Download or read book Founding Fathers 1760–1820 written by A.J. Kingston and published by A.J. Kingston. This book was released on 101-01-01 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the Untold Stories of America's Founding Fathers - A Comprehensive Book Bundle 📚 Are you fascinated by the birth of the United States and the visionary individuals who shaped its destiny? 🔍 Do you crave a deeper understanding of the challenges, triumphs, and complexities that marked this pivotal era in history? Introducing the "Founding Fathers 1760–1820: The Birth of the United States" book bundle - an immersive journey through the transformative period that laid the groundwork for the nation we know today. 🎁 What's Included: · Book 1 - Seeds of Revolution: Dive into the formative years that ignited the flames of rebellion. Uncover the daring ideas, passionate dissent, and the relentless pursuit of liberty that set the stage for revolution. · Book 2 - Forging a Constitution: Witness the birth of a nation's guiding document as the Founding Fathers engage in impassioned debates, delicate compromises, and visionary crafting of the Constitution. Explore the very essence of democratic principles that continue to shape the nation's identity. · Book 3 - Frontiers of Democracy: Journey alongside the Founders as they navigate the complexities of governance in a new republic. Experience the challenges of implementing ideals, the emergence of political factions, and the Founders' relentless pursuit of unity and prosperity. · Book 4 - Patriots and Statesmen: Witness the legacy of the Founding Fathers as the nation faces monumental changes. From territorial expansion to societal shifts, trace the profound impact of these remarkable individuals in shaping America's trajectory. 🧐 Why Choose This Bundle? · Comprehensive Exploration: Immerse yourself in four meticulously researched volumes that encompass the entire spectrum of the Founding Fathers' contributions and challenges. · Rich Narrative: Expertly crafted storytelling brings history to life, making these books accessible and engaging for both history enthusiasts and newcomers. · In-Depth Insight: Gain an unparalleled understanding of the people, ideas, and events that shaped the United States during its formative years. · Legacy and Lessons: Reflect on the timeless lessons and legacies left by the Founding Fathers, offering profound insights into contemporary challenges and aspirations. 🌟 Whether you're a history buff, a curious learner, or simply seeking inspiration from the remarkable individuals who paved the way for a new nation, "Founding Fathers 1760–1820: The Birth of the United States" is the ultimate bundle to enrich your understanding of America's origins. 🛍️ Secure your bundle today and embark on a transformative journey through history - a journey that unveils the courage, intellect, and perseverance of the Founding Fathers who laid the cornerstone of the United States. Experience the birth of a nation like never before! Limited-Time Offer: Get the complete "Founding Fathers 1760–1820: The Birth of the United States" bundle now and receive an exclusive discount. Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a comprehensive collection that celebrates the Founders' legacy and their enduring impact on the world.

The American Founding

Download The American Founding PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : A&C Black
ISBN 13 : 1441142444
Total Pages : 173 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (411 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The American Founding by : Daniel N. Robinson

Download or read book The American Founding written by Daniel N. Robinson and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2012-06-28 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Renowned scholars examine the core precepts that guided the American Founding, looking at the Founders' intellectual groundings from philosophy of law to architecture.

Interpreting the Founding

Download Interpreting the Founding PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780700614530
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (145 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Interpreting the Founding by : Alan Ray Gibson

Download or read book Interpreting the Founding written by Alan Ray Gibson and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Comprehensive and judicious, Interpreting the Founding provides summaries and analyses of the leading interpretive frameworks that have guided the study of the Founding since the publication of Charles Beard's An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution in 1913. Gibson argues that scholarship on the Founding is no longer steered by a single dominant approach or even by a set of questions that control its direction. He also examines the challenges posed to Founding scholarship by this diversity and complexity and the possibilities opened by new avenues of inquiry that have recently emerged. The book features extended discussions of pioneering works by leading scholars of the Founding - including Louis Hartz, Bernard Bailyn, Gordon Wood, and Garry Wills - that best exemplify different schools of interpretation. Gibson focuses on six approaches that have dominated the modern study of the Founding: Progressive, Lockean/liberal, Republican, Scottish Enlightenment, multicultural, and multiple traditions approaches. For each approach, he traces its fundamental assumptions, revealing deeper ideological and methodological differences between schools of thought that, on the surface, seem to differ only about the interpretation of historical facts.

Fears of a Setting Sun

Download Fears of a Setting Sun PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Princeton University Press
ISBN 13 : 0691241414
Total Pages : 288 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (912 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Fears of a Setting Sun by : Dennis C. Rasmussen

Download or read book Fears of a Setting Sun written by Dennis C. Rasmussen and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2022-09-27 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The surprising story of how George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson came to despair for the future of the nation they had created Americans seldom deify their Founding Fathers any longer, but they do still tend to venerate the Constitution and the republican government that the founders created. Strikingly, the founders themselves were far less confident in what they had wrought, particularly by the end of their lives. In fact, most of them—including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson—came to deem America’s constitutional experiment an utter failure that was unlikely to last beyond their own generation. Fears of a Setting Sun is the first book to tell the fascinating and too-little-known story of the founders’ disillusionment. As Dennis Rasmussen shows, the founders’ pessimism had a variety of sources: Washington lost his faith in America’s political system above all because of the rise of partisanship, Hamilton because he felt that the federal government was too weak, Adams because he believed that the people lacked civic virtue, and Jefferson because of sectional divisions laid bare by the spread of slavery. The one major founder who retained his faith in America’s constitutional order to the end was James Madison, and the book also explores why he remained relatively optimistic when so many of his compatriots did not. As much as Americans today may worry about their country’s future, Rasmussen reveals, the founders faced even graver problems and harbored even deeper misgivings. A vividly written account of a chapter of American history that has received too little attention, Fears of a Setting Sun will change the way that you look at the American founding, the Constitution, and indeed the United States itself.

To Preserve the Nation

Download To Preserve the Nation PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Xlibris Corporation
ISBN 13 : 9781436345484
Total Pages : 526 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (454 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis To Preserve the Nation by : Scott N. Bradley

Download or read book To Preserve the Nation written by Scott N. Bradley and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 526 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1787, the United States boldly stepped forward in the glorious light provided by their unique new constitution. The confidence of the citizenry blossomed. The economy expanded in the assurance that one's labor was one's own. The nation became invigorated. The transformation was miraculous! The nations of the world stood in awe of the newfound strength and hope of this free land. In the twenty-first century, America is in need of a miracle. The United States Constitution is again that miracle. It must be applied as vigorously and purely as it was in the beginning. Today's national challenges can be traced to a divergence from the original intent put forth in the United States Constitution. Statesmen of the caliber of the American founders must be raised up. The timeless wisdom that established the United States must again be vigorously applied. The foundational Americanist principles must be learned, understood, and embraced. The results will be as they were in the beginning. America may become again the freest, most prosperous, most respected, and happiest nation on earth. It is the intention of this lecture series to begin that restoration.

Who are We?

Download Who are We? PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780684866697
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (666 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Who are We? by : Samuel P. Huntington

Download or read book Who are We? written by Samuel P. Huntington and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: America was founded by settlers who brought with them a distinct culture including the English language, Protestant values, individualism, religious commitment, and respect for law. The waves of later immigrants came gradually accepted these values and assimilated into America's Anglo-Protestant culture. More recently, however, national identity has been eroded by the problems of assimilating massive numbers of immigrants, bilingualism, multiculturalism, the devaluation of citizenship, and the "denationalization" of American élites. September 11 brought a revival of American patriotism, but already there are signs that this is fading. This book shows the need for us to reassert the core values that make us Americans.--From publisher description.

Triumphs and Consequences

Download Triumphs and Consequences PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Independently Published
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (657 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Triumphs and Consequences by : REV George Stoddard

Download or read book Triumphs and Consequences written by REV George Stoddard and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2023-10-28 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Triumphs and Consequences: Things Not Known about the Founding Fathers-Architects of America is a comprehensive exploration of the history and achievements of the founding fathers of the United States. This book delves into the lives and backgrounds of the architects of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, shedding light on their triumphs and the far-reaching consequences of their actions. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the individuals who played a pivotal role in creating the greatest nation in history. By uncovering lesser-known aspects of the founding fathers' lives, Triumphs and Consequences offers a fresh perspective on their accomplishments. From their early struggles and personal sacrifices to their visionary ideas and political strategies, this book provides a true account of the challenges they faced and the victories they achieved. It also examines the lasting consequences of their decisions, both intended and unintended, and how these shaped the course of American history. Triumphs and Consequences goes beyond the surface-level narratives to reveal the complexities and nuances of the founding fathers' characters and actions. It explores their motivations, conflicts, and the moral dilemmas they encountered along the way. Through this in-depth exploration, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of the founding fathers and the profound impact they had on the formation of the United States of America.

Liberty in Peril

Download Liberty in Peril PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Independent Institute
ISBN 13 : 1598133349
Total Pages : 312 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (981 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Liberty in Peril by : Randall G. Holcombe

Download or read book Liberty in Peril written by Randall G. Holcombe and published by Independent Institute. This book was released on 2019-09-01 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When the United States was born in the revolutionary acts of 1776, Americans viewed the role of government as the protector of their individual rights. Thus, the fundamental principle underlying the new American government was liberty. Over time, the ideology of political "democracy"—the idea that the role of government is to carry out the "will of the people," as revealed through majority rule—has displaced the ethics of liberty. This displacement has eroded individual rights systematically and that history is examined in Liberty in Peril by Randall Holcombe in language accessible to anyone. The Founders intended to design a government that would preclude tyranny and protect those individual rights, and the Bill of Rights was a clear statement of those rights. They well understood that the most serious threat to human rights and liberty is government. So, the Constitution clearly outlined a limited scope for government and set forth a form of governance that would preserve individual rights. The federal government's activities during two world wars and the Great Depression greatly increased government's involvement in people's lives. By the time of Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society," the depletion of rights and the growth of the activities of political democracy was complete. By the end of the 20th Century the fundamental principle underlying the U.S. government was now political power and not liberty. Public policy was oriented toward fulfilling the majority rule with the subsequent increase in government power and scope. Holcombe argues that economic and political systems are not separate entities but are intimately intertwined. The result is a set of tensions between democracy, liberty, a market economy, and the institutions of a free society. All those interested in the evolution of American government, including historians, political scientists, economists, and legal experts, will find this book compelling and informative.

The Founding Fathers Reconsidered

Download The Founding Fathers Reconsidered PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0199713626
Total Pages : 265 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (997 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Founding Fathers Reconsidered by : R. B. Bernstein

Download or read book The Founding Fathers Reconsidered written by R. B. Bernstein and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2009-05-05 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Here is a vividly written and compact overview of the brilliant, flawed, and quarrelsome group of lawyers, politicians, merchants, military men, and clergy known as the "Founding Fathers"--who got as close to the ideal of the Platonic "philosopher-kings" as American or world history has ever seen. In The Founding Fathers Reconsidered, R. B. Bernstein reveals Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and the other founders not as shining demigods but as imperfect human beings--people much like us--who nevertheless achieved political greatness. They emerge here as men who sought to transcend their intellectual world even as they were bound by its limits, men who strove to lead the new nation even as they had to defer to the great body of the people and learn with them the possibilities and limitations of politics. Bernstein deftly traces the dynamic forces that molded these men and their contemporaries as British colonists in North America and as intellectual citizens of the Atlantic civilization's Age of Enlightenment. He analyzes the American Revolution, the framing and adoption of state and federal constitutions, and the key concepts and problems--among them independence, federalism, equality, slavery, and the separation of church and state--that both shaped and circumscribed the founders' achievements as the United States sought its place in the world.

Founding Fathers

Download Founding Fathers PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781732737150
Total Pages : 64 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (371 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Founding Fathers by : Thomas E Sawyer

Download or read book Founding Fathers written by Thomas E Sawyer and published by . This book was released on 2020-06-28 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the 2020 election year getting ever closer (indeed, for any election year), it feels important to review some of the history and politics of this nation. The problem is that many such histories either assume much background knowledge, or are designed for students with little understanding of the process. That's why readers of all ages who seek a basic primer to be used as a refresher course in American ideals and formation will find The Founding Fathers and the Birth of a Nation State a solid primer covering the instigation, ideals, and political nature of what constitutes a 'republic'. The basic contention is that political power should originate with the people and flow upward in a reflection of popular interests. It shouldn't originate at the top and move downward, which would indicate a monarchy or dictatorship. Thomas E. Sawyer cements these notions by providing a historical and political survey that includes social, political, and philosophical reflections about the intentions of the Founding Fathers and how these have been translated over the years under different presidencies from early to modern times. Doctrines such as the separation of powers and how they enacted in American political circles and events are reviewed with more than an attention to historical precedent, identifying points of confusion or challenge in carrying out the Founding Fathers' written edicts: "... the "Doctrine of the Separation of Powers," standing alone as a theory of government, has uniformly failed to provide an adequate basis for an effective, stable political system. Consequently, the practicalities of government have necessitated the combining of this doctrine with other political ideas-the theory of "mixed government," the idea of "balanced government," and the concept of "checks and balances"-to form the complex constitutional theories that provide the basis of modern Western political systems. Nevertheless, when all the necessary qualifications have been made, the essential ideas behind the doctrine remain as vital ingredients of Western political thought and practice today. This particularly true in the American political experience; where the principle of the "Separation of Powers" constitutes one of the fundamental foundations of good government." Footnoted references point to source materials supporting different examinations of various plans, enactment challenges, conventions and legislations, speeches, and political processes. These form a solid foundation of argument, identifying the underlying intentions and meaning of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers that leads to astute analysis about their incarnations and challenges today: "Although the founding Fathers did not foresee the present day, rampant diffusion of bureaucratic functions among the three national branches, the "Doctrine of the Separation of Powers" and the correlative "Principle of Checks And Balances" still represent the essence of the American political experiment; as initially conceived in the Federal Convention in Philadelphia and as evolved in the present day transformation." The Founding Fathers and the Birth of a Nation State is highly recommended as a primer for democratic processes. It's especially valuable and well-documented reading for modern audiences who may have a cursory interest in the subject, but who want deeper explorations of the history and intentions supporting American democratic principles.

Lincoln and the American Founding

Download Lincoln and the American Founding PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Southern Illinois University Press
ISBN 13 : 0809337851
Total Pages : 178 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Lincoln and the American Founding by : Lucas E. Morel

Download or read book Lincoln and the American Founding written by Lucas E. Morel and published by Southern Illinois University Press. This book was released on 2020-06-22 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this persuasive work of intellectual history, Lucas E. Morel argues that the most important influence on Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and practice was what he learned from the leading figures of and documents from the birth of the United States. In this systematic account of those principles, Morel compellingly demonstrates that to know Lincoln well is to understand thoroughly the founding of America. With each chapter describing a particular influence, Morel leads readers from the Founding Father, George Washington; to the founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and Constitution; to the founding compromise over slavery; and finally to a consideration of how the original intentions of the Founding Fathers should be respected in light of experience, progress, and improvements over time. Within these key discussions, Morel shows that without the ideals of the American Revolution, Lincoln’s most famous speeches would be unrecognizable, and the character of the nation would have lost its foundation on the universal principles of human equality, individual liberty, and government by the consent of the governed. Lincoln thought that the principles of human equality and individual rights could provide common ground for a diverse people to live as one nation and that some old things, such as the political ideals of the American founding, were worth preserving. He urged Americans to be vigilant in maintaining the institutions of self-government and to exercise and safeguard the benefits of freedom for future generations. Morel posits that adopting the way of thinking and speaking Lincoln advocated, based on the country’s founding, could help mend our current polarized discourse and direct the American people to employ their common government on behalf of a truly common good.