Book Review

Besides the scriptures, this book has been one of the most important books I have read.

W. Cleon Skousen's book has put all the pieces together for me. We all have been in history and government class and read the great words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. But this book opens up to us the minds of the founders, and places those words in the context of the founders lives, the books they read, the ideas they discussed, and the politics of the time. The book itself is mostly quotations of the founders and their contemporaries, sprinkled with Skousen's commentary. Most of the information comes from the primary sources. As you read, phrases that you have heard over and over through your life will take on their proper meaning and significance.

The book is broken into two portions. The first is an overview of the historical background of the founding of this country. The second portion, and the meat of book, walks us through the 28 principles of freedom that the founding fathers understood and how they influenced them as they established the union. These include subjects such as Man's Unalienable rights, Separation of powers, Free Market Economics, Separation of powers, and Property Rights.

I have always had a great love and admiration for the founding fathers. But this book has deepened my respect and awe of these great men who changed not only the United States of America but also the world. It has also deepened my faith in the Almighty and his hand in the founding of this country. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the founding of this country and what it means to be an American.

As I have read this book I have felt an overwhelming sense of pride in this great country of ours. I have also wept to see the many ways that we have wasted our freedom and fallen from the great ideal of that which the founders created. Every American should read this book.

This Book is nearly 30 years old. It was written in 1981. It has recently been rediscovered and still as fresh and timely as it ever was, if not more so. It has spent the last 211 days in the Top 100 on Amazon, and can be easily purchased online at amazon or other retailers. My copy was less than $12, well worth it - one of the most important books I have ever read.