Founding Character: Documents That Define the United States of America & Its People

by Kirk Ward Robinson

“Tyranny is not a word much in vogue any more, but it could incite passion during the Founding generation the way the word terrorism incites passion today.”

Is there a connection between the American struggle for independence in the 18th century and the American response to terrorism in the 21st? Are modern Americans influenced by the same passions that motivated their forefathers during the Revolutionary War period?

In this expanded new edition of Founding Character: Documents That Define the United States of America and its People, Kirk Ward Robinson presents the crucial Founding documents of the United States—The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, Original Draft of the Declaration of Independence, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, Treaty of Paris, Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, President George Washington’s Farewell Address—as a series of ideals that built upon one another to create and imprint the behavior of the American people; unique and sometimes perplexing behaviors not founded on historical or cultural traits but on the enlightened ideal of individual sovereignty. Understanding this connection with the Founding generation can help Americans make sense of their national struggles and motivations, from their innate sense of superiority to their extreme political polarization.

Founding Character: Documents That Define the United States of America and its People is an accessible reference to the Founding of the nation, suitable for the classroom or the interested reader. Also included are the Amendments to the Constitution, a guide to the states and their constitutions, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2009

About the author

Kirk Ward Robinson, a four-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas and has since lived in every continental American time zone. He is an inveterate hiker and cyclist, with more than 10,000 miles afoot and 20,000 more on a bicycle. His wide-ranging career has included roles as a chief operating officer, bookstore manager, stagehand, bicycle mechanic, and executive director of an educational non-profit organization in cooperation with the National Park Service. Robinson’s Life in Continuum and The Appalachian were both named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. He earned five stars from Foreword Clarion Reviews for his novel The Latter Half of Inglorious Years, LitPick’s Top Choice Book Review Award for Priscilla Speaks, Feathered Quill’s Reviewer’s Choice Book Award for Ridley Speaks, and OneTribune Media’s Atlas of Stories Award for Founding Courage.

These days he maintains a small ancestral farm in the hills of Tennessee.