The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

by Walter Isaacson

America’s greatest biographer reveals the origins of the most revolutionary line in the Declaration of Independence, the one that defines our rights as Americans—and how this greatest sentence ever written should shape our politics today.

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Walter Isaacson takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the creation of one of history’s most powerful “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, this line from the Declaration of Independence carries profound weight. But did you know Jefferson originally wrote “sacred” instead of “self-evident”? Or that key phrases invoking divine rights and rational thought were meticulously debated and revised? Each edit balanced faith, reason, and radical new ideas that laid the foundation for a nation and for today’s democracy.

Isaacson unpacks its genius, word by word, illuminating the then-radical concepts behind it. Readers will gain a fresh appreciation for how it was drafted to inspire unity, equality, and the enduring promise of the American dream. With clarity and insight, one of our greatest biographers reveals not just the power of these words but reminds us of their importance in these times.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Politics, Philosophy, American History, American Revolution

67 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Walter Isaacson, a professor of history at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He is the author of 'Leonardo da Vinci; The Innovators; Steve Jobs; Einstein: His Life and Universe; Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; and Kissinger: A Biography, and the coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu and on Twitter at @WalterIsaacson

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief book is as advertised: a word-by-word examination of the most famous sentence in the Declaration of Independence. In the process, it touches on some key influences on the Founders' thinking, and then projects those principles onto our current morass. If only our political and commercial leadership demonstrated any of the virtues described.
While just a snack-sized infusion of patriotism and admiration for our founding ideals, it has a valuable place in the current moment - we could all use a reminder now and then that there are real, meaningful ideas behind the cartoon version of patriotism that so many like to bloviate about in the headlines. It's also, coincidentally, nicely timed to release around the new Ken Burns series and is a nice compliment to it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. This book is short enough for anyone to tackle and everyone probably should.

I can’t help but dwell on this one thing because I have heard so many times about Abigail Adams writing to her husband, John, to urge him to “remember the ladies”. This is the first time I’ve ever read about his reply. “I cannot but laugh…We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems.” Now I understand why nobody talks about that response.

Also interesting to me was the explanation of Deism. If I knew what that was prior to reading this, I had forgotten. When today’s Christian Nationalists loudly proclaim that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, this particular philosophy might not be what they had in mind. But I doubt that any of those people understand that and they probably won’t be reading this book.

[Jason Furman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like reading a hymnal. You know most of the words but it is nice to hear them again.

Walter Isaacson's book is about the second sentence of the Declaration if Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

It have very short chapters on each phrase, explaining who wrote it, how it was edited, origins in the enlightenment, ways it mirrors other declarations in various states, etc. All in about 40 pages. Then the roughly 40 page Appendix has a number of primary sources like Locke, Rousseau, Jefferson's original draft (which sounds worse to my ears but maybe I'm just used to the actual), and the final draft.

Full disclosure: I don't think I would have spent money on this incredibly short book but I got a copy for free and enjoyed reading it.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A salve after reading a different book about the worst of our current situation in America, this was a reminder of who we truly are and should continue to strive to be. Powerful, emotional…hopeful.

[Dan Leiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest sentence ever written is a beautiful book explaining just that. One that connects the origins of writing it to where we are now with ease while also providing foundational information and context for the document.

From Franklin’s conversations with Hume, to Jefferson’s convictions and contradictions, to Isaacson’s own interpretations of where we should go together. This is one of those books that should be introduced and taught in schools before they try to ban it.

I will say that it scares me how much of this document seems to be so relevant today for our own internal fighting. That we have let education of our origins fall by the wayside and allowed ignorance to flourish, so much so that Franklin would be appalled by the state of this union. As you read the Declaration of Independence after his explanation and extrapolations of it, I wonder if you will feel the same as me, frightened by how much has been stripped bare and seemingly used by the likes of the heritage foundation and others and twisted what the British were doing and decided that the iron law of oligarchy should come into effect. One where freedoms are systematically stripped away to only become a commodity for the kings purpose.

This book, necessarily succinct for our age, provides a reminder on where we came from and ideas for where we should go. Followed by the texts themselves. As we head into our 250th year, we won’t be doing better but hopefully there will be a reignited goal to work towards the true American dream. One where we all have the opportunity to work together for the common good.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. “

Thank you to Simon & Schuster books for the ARC.

—-

Notes errata and open questions

Starting this out with where we have come to is devastating.

The declaration they were writing was intended to herald a new type of nation, one in which our rights are based on reason, not the dictates or dogma of religion. But then the sentence invokes

By connecting Hume and Franklin to self evident truths, as such “ “Propositions of this kind are discoverable by the mere operation of thought,” they are literally Self evident. They are true. All men are equal.

However the debate over slavery persisting and fighting for so long after, renders this questionable of course. If only they believed truly that all men and all women, Abigail Adam’s may have had a more foundational level of influence in the nation. If anything he’s spurred me on to more curiosity about Abigail.

The phrase that “the long arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends to justice.” Is heavy in its own right and time has strengthened this, issacson puts it well that -
“It was, and remains, a constant American struggle to make the phrase “all men are created equal” truly inclusive.”


“Pursuit of happiness” has always perplexed me. The phrase is weird and doesn’t account for the vitriol, the hatred, the abuse, etc that can be a source of happiness to certain men. And if all men are created free then they can also be free to create hideousness in their pursuit of happiness.

The American dream summarized and may need to be reintroduced

“ That phrase was popularized by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book, The Epic of America. “The American Dream,” he wrote, “is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.””


A just economy or just a growth economy. Not based on unequal manipulative elite meritocracy but by what we can commonly do together as a force of good. Where have we gone wrong?

When there are so many forces dedicated to dividing us, how can we best hang together?

[Alan Johnson]

This short book is about the following sentence of the US Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I am currently reading it.

[Aggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Achieving these ideals requires a balance between individual rights and community responsibility.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This came out just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and as a former English teacher, I was immediately hooked by the title. I loved how Isaacson broke down the sentence phrase by phrase—he really showed how much weight each part carries and why those words still matter today.

Given how much of today’s political chaos involves people trying to interpret the Constitution or divine the founders’ intent, it was eye-opening to see how many of the injustices Jefferson was railing against in 1776 are still problems we’re dealing with now. Reading his “Original Rough Draft,” which is included at the end, genuinely gave me chills. Some of the language could have been written this summer—it’s that relevant.

I also appreciated how this wasn’t just a dry history lesson. Isaacson makes a case for how this one sentence can still guide us toward common values, even in a time as polarized as ours. As my library starts planning America at 250 programming for next year, I can’t help but wish we had the funds to bring Isaacson in for a virtual author talk. This is exactly the kind of book that should spark meaningful conversations with our patrons.

[Rylie Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I really enjoyed this. It’s a very quick read, breaking down the second section of the Declaration of Independence (“we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal…”) into small pieces. It is incredible how one document, and really one sentence with that document, set the stage for global transformation. Why is it important that our rights are in unalienable versus inalienable? How has “all men” allowed for change beyond the initial intent of the document? What context led each word to the final draft, and what made those men ready to “hang together” upon signature?

Where does this document allow us to go from here, knowing that while a lot of progress has been made, there is a lot more to be made? Can we still have hope in our democracy?

Anyway, if you would like to borrow this, let me know. You’ll have to wait till my dad is finished and maybe Jared if he wants to read it. I’d say it’s absolutely worth cracking open.

[John Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content is 5 stars but removing one because it feels a bit like a money grab. Could have been an op-ed or a release on substack. Worth the read but don’t buy it like I did. I’ll send you my copy.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." It's one of the most well-known sentences in American history and in this short work by Isaacson, he explores it in depth -- the reason for the word choice, the editing from the draft version to the final version, and the context behind these choices. As with anything Isaacson, explores, it's incredibly well done -- although this work by Isaacson can be read in a single sitting. I appreciated that after the analysis of the sentence, he spoke to the application of these concepts - specifically the idea of common ground and the American dream. I hadn't thought about common ground from the historical perspective - the idea that some land was for all to use -"the commons" and the way this idea extended to services that serve the common good - like education, police, fire, etc. It was interesting to see how the founding fathers debated and applied some of these concepts. I also appreciated that Isaacson didn't shy away from the enormous contradiction that was our Declaration of Independence while allowing slavery. This would be an excellent gift for any history buff or someone who is interested in the trajectory of American government.
"What is the purpose of an economy? To increase wealth? Yes, that's good. Growth? Yes, also good. But the purpose of an economy is something deeper. It's purpose is also to create a good society. A good, stable society where individuals can be free and flourish and live together in harmony. That requires nurturing the sense that we share common rights, common grounds, common truths, and common aspirations. Democracy depends on this."

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Isaacson, celebrated biographer of innovators from Leonardo da Vinci to Steve Jobs, dissects a single sentence in American history: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

At just around 70 pages, this short book is to the point. Isaacson delivers a dissection of Jefferson’s words, situating them in the intellectual backdrop of the Enlightenment and the political urgency of 1776, reminding readers that Jefferson’s draft originally condemned slavery as a “cruel war against human nature,” a clause struck out by fellow delegates who themselves enslaved people. This tension—between soaring ideals and lived hypocrisy—becomes one of the book’s central themes.

Isaacson’s style is readable and somewhat engaging. He shows how Jefferson’s phrasing was not only revolutionary in its time but continues to shape debates about equality, rights, and democracy today. The book is published on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, and Isaacson frames the sentence as a guidepost for unity in a fractured political climate, urging us to reclaim its promise.

What makes the book compelling is its modern lens: Isaacson treats the sentence as a living text, drawing connections to contemporary struggles over civil rights, gender equality, and the meaning of happiness in a consumer-driven age. The brevity of the book is its strength—it reads like a meditation, inviting reflection rather than overwhelming with detail.

I actually read this over several days, almost as a devotional, considering each word and topic presented. A quick read, but perhaps one to contemplate.

[taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim book zeroes in on one iconic sentence from the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The book meticulously dissects each word while tracing the sentence's evolution through the drafting process. It also offers insightful analysis of the full document before and after its revision by the Continental Congress, which returned a markedly shorter version.
Yet here's the paradox: the authors championed an ideal of universal equality while supporting slavery (which would endure for another century) and denying women equal rights (even longer still). The sentence reads less as a reflection of colonial reality and more as an aspirational blueprint for human perfection. The author reminds us that both Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were Deists—believers in a Creator who set the universe in motion like a clockmaker but refrained from miracles or supernatural interventions in daily life. Neither accepted the divinity of Christ.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still have deep feelings when I hear the Declaration of Independence. Firstly, to remind myself of how brilliant they were to create statements where every word is so aptly put together and so meaningful and realizing that essentially it was from scratch. No one ever had drafted such a succinct statement intending to withdraw from a powerful mother country.

Secondly, I think that these sentiments never have been as important as they are today when we see the very structure of our existence challenged and challenged from within at that. It would serve us all to re-read the document in its entirety and to remember what caused our founders to draft such a revolutionary document.

[Samantha Matherne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and concise examination behind the meaning of the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence of the USA. Anyone who thinks they know the basis for the founding of the country should read this novella length book for the truth. I appreciate how Issacson also discusses who some of our founders were such as those who brushed aside the idea of including women and those who did not believe in the institution of slavery but knew speaking against it was unsafe in their time. Good narration for the audiobook, too, with sound effects to kick it off and conclude. Including Jefferson's draft and the final Declaration was a wise choice, because readers can notice the changes.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

my grandpa got me this one because my professor wrote it <3 my only criticism is that it was SO short. it was basically about why they chose the language for the first sentence of the declaration of independence. it also discussed how the viewpoints of our founders (specifically franklin) could be applied to today’s issues. really cool discussion about the economy and libraries oddly enough. thought this was super interesting and wish there was more of it. i miss walter.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired social studies teacher I wasn’t sure what sentence Isaacson had chosen. Did it begin with “We the people” or “We hold these truths to be self-
evident”? I will not disclose the choice as the entire book is 67 pages long. I did learn something new and interesting in these current times. On his deathbed Benjamin Franklin was the largest donor to Mikveh Israel, the first synagogue in Philadelphia.

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This is an excellent, short book if you want to dive deeper into the best-known sentence of the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

However, this book is best aimed at those who do not already have a deep knowledge of the creation of the Declaration or the beginning of the American Revolution.

I learned a great deal about this sentence as Isaacson evaluated the various ways in which each word was selected during the drafting process and how older Enlightenment publications influenced the final Declaration. Even though this was a deep dive, it often wasn't deep enough for what I was expecting. That being said, I do have a more extensive knowledge about the topic than most people, so I doubt this will be an issue for the average reader. I would recommend this book for those interested in the Declaration and how this sentence has remained relevant for almost 250 years, as it is a good introduction to the topic.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC!


What did work for me:
I really appreciated that Isaacson almost immediately acknowledged the inequalities present in the sentence and the hypocritical nature of the Founders and how he attempted to briefly unpack this issue. I also enjoyed the way in which other influential documents were analyzed in relation to their impact on the sentence, in addition to how this sentence has taken on a life of its own through references and re-contextualization throughout American history. The book also provides many interesting tidbits and pathways in which the reader could seek out additional books for more in-depth study (especially regarding Benjamin Franklin), although it does stop short of actually listing recommended sources, though that might be included in the final version.

What didn't work for me:
The chapters in the book are short and succinct, but I felt like many of them ended rather abruptly. The book could have also benefited from a more extensive introduction that provided more context about the Drafting process overall; instead, this context is included in the Appendices at the end. Thus, the reader is thrown directly into the crafting of the sentence rather than its drafting in relation to the full Declaration. I also felt that the book focused mostly on the larger Declaration and exploring modern political polarization and how we might find common ground as the Founders did 250 years ago, rather than the sentence itself. In fact, about one-third of the book focused on the drafting of the sentence, one-third focused on the Declaration's place in modern America, and the final third was Appendices, mostly excerpts and reprints of foundational documents discussed elsewhere throughout the book. Finally, there was no bibliography, which I hope is in the final version.

[David Rebula · Rating 5 out of 5]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Self-evident. That means you don't need an attorney to understand what the truth is. Self-evident means clear and that everyone, even a child would understand. So don't tell me that humans that were born here from parents that came here illegally aren't made equally by their Creator. Ask a 6-year-old if their friend Pedro at school deserves to play basketball and be happy? If that answer is, "of course", then don't wave that Flag and say you're a patriot as you uncaringly separate Pedro from his parents. You are everything against what the Greatest Sentence Ever Written stands for. Our Founders fought against tyranny. And I defy anyone who tries to read the Declaration and tell me why today's Republican Party is the party of Thomas Jefferson. We must hold these truths to be self-evident. With liberty, and justice, for all

[Jessica Domitrovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know the words. You know the sentence. You know the authors. But to know the care and struggle that went into each word was powerful, particularly today with the strife and polarization we have in our country. We all need to be like Benjamin Franklin. I’m going to strive to be like Ben.

[Max van Tongeren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start, but in the second part, the history moves to the background.

[Adam Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold, like anything by Isaacson.

[Leila Jaafari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small super digestible way to learn about something we all knew but didn’t interrogate on a daily basis.

[Steve Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

Short, sweet, powerful in desperate need of ingestion by the entire public. It could help all of our people understand who we are and inspire a more team approach to our politics and community as a people. I pray for its widespread reading!

[Arun Narayanaswamy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio book review

Maybe the greatest sentence but certainly the worst book written.
Very boring and very badly narrated. Totally not worth even starting this book. Never understood a thing. Worse if you have no historical understanding of the states.

[Xergio · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the title hyperbolic? Perhaps. But this brief book is really a breath of fresh air, a balm, here at the end of AD 2025. A reminder of the high ideals, the low realities, and the aspirationally approach of The Framers. A reminder of what freedom meant to them, and how much more community focused they were. Really, it’s extremely brief but a wonderful read.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astoundingly important and inspiring red that we, as. Country, all need to read at this moment in our journey as a nation. Thank you Mr Isaacson.

[Dan Dawson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This "book" is more like a pamphlet. Overpromised and undelivered.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on Libby, November 18, 2025 book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson. I first learned about this book, November 16, 2025 after watching an interview of Isaacson on the CBS Sunday Morning show.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, bestselling biographer and historian Walter Isaacson reflects on the message of the Declaration of Independence, and how it is just as vital to us today as it was in 1776.

"We hold these truths to be sacred..." Sacred? No. That doesn't sound right.
But that's how Thomas Jefferson wrote it in his first draft.

Benjamin Franklin, who was on the five-person drafting committee with Jefferson, crossed out "sacred," using the heavy backslash marks he had often used as a printer, and wrote in "self-evident." The declaration they were writing was intended to herald a new type of nation, one in which our rights are based on reason, not the dictates or dogma of religion.

But then the sentence invokes the "Creator." In Jefferson's first draft, he wrote that men are created equal and "from that equal creation they derive rights." That phrase is crossed out, this time with a different pen, and replaced with "endowed by their Creator" with rights. Given Jefferson's skeptical views on religion, it does not seem like a phrase he would use. It was probably suggested by John Adams, whose religious views were more conventional.

Thus we see, in the editing of the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, our Founders balancing the role of divine providence and that of reason in determining our rights.
It became the greatest sentence ever crafted by human hand.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

On its 250th birthday, each of its words and concepts bears scrutiny and appreciation.

"All Men are created equally free and independent and have certain inherent natural Rights." That was amended to add the clause "when they enter into a state of society." The amendment was proposed explicitly to exclude slaves.

Jefferson's passages in his draft of the Declaration denouncing the slave trade as "a cruel war against human nature" were edited out by the delegates before it was approved. Of the fifty-six signers, forty-one owned slaves. All thirteen of the colonies permitted slavery. Shortly after the Declaration was signed, the English abolitionist Thomas Day wrote, "If there be an object truly ridiculous in nature, it is an American patriot, signing resolutions of independency with the one hand, and with the other brandishing a whip over his affrighted slaves."

Martin Luther King Jr. said, echoing an 1853 sermon by the abolitionist minister Theodore Parker. But it's important to remember that the arc did not bend itself. It was, and remains, a constant American struggle to make the phrase "all men are created equal" truly inclusive.

The last few pages has the actual Declaration and Trump has violated every single one of the laws and rules that this country has lived by for 250 years. It states: “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” From here it states every atrocity by the King of Britain, and coincidentally every single one is currently being committed by Donald Trump.

It’s as if his MAGA base decided to take over the country using each declaration of our independence committing treason especially Dementia Donnie.

Good read indeed

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a very specific mood that hits when you finish a Walter Isaacson book at night. It’s that vibe of sitting quietly in the dark, desktop screen on, the rest of the world asleep, and suddenly this man has you contemplating language, genius, and the general absurdity of being human.

This book did exactly that—it slid into my mind like a well-placed musical note and then refused to leave.

What makes the book feel so special isn’t that Isaacson is flexing his biographer muscles—though obviously he is, because the man has spent half his life sitting in the front row seat of the world’s brainiest circus.

It’s the tenderness beneath the analysis, the way he holds a single sentence like it’s a fossil from an extinct star, turning it slowly under a beam of curiosity.

He writes about sentences the way some people write about lovers they never quite got over—half admiration, half ache.

Finishing it last night, I felt that strange little hum—that moment when a book makes you aware of your own breath, your own inner monologue. Suddenly every line you’ve ever underlined in your life starts tapping on the glass of your memory like, “Hey, remember me? I mattered too.”

Isaacson’s gift is that he makes greatness feel… reachable. Not easy—just reachable, like something a human being, sweating through the chaos of their own days, could theoretically aspire to.

He talks about rhythm and thought and clarity, but really he’s writing about attention—the kind of attention that our notification-blasted brains have almost forgotten how to give.

After I finished it, I felt like that soft afterglow of learning something you can’t quite explain but definitely feel—like someone has tidied up your inner desk without moving anything important. A quiet rearranging.

And maybe that’s why this little book lingers. It’s not about “the greatest sentence.” It’s about the hope that language can still hit us hard, can still lift the crown of the everyday, and show us something luminous underneath. Isaacson reminds you—gently, without shouting—that a single line can hold more power than a hundred loud paragraphs, and that writing, at its best, is a pulse.

You close the book, turn off the lights, and somewhere inside, one sentence—maybe not the greatest, but your greatest—starts to glow a little.

A breezy read. Most recommended.