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The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
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.
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.
2 pages, Audiobook
First published November 18, 2025
570 people are currently reading
2606 people want to read
About the author
Walter Isaacson
101 books22.6k followersWalter 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
December 27, 2025
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.
And so begins The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson, reminding us that on its 250th birthday, each of its words and concepts bears scrutiny and appreciation. And perhaps there is no better time as we all see our rights under attack.
“That phrase, ‘We the people,’ is as profound as it is simple. Our governance is based not on the divine right of kings or the power imposed by emperors and conquerors. It is based on a compact, a social contract, that we the people have entered into.”
This most important narrative by Walter Isaacson as he explores one sentence from The Declaration of Independence and talks about the moral arc of history in the last 250 years in America beginning with the historic Gettysburg Address given by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 referring directly to the second sentence in the Declaration of Independence. Later in history during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” And it remains the American struggle to attain the vision in the phrase, “all men are created equal.”
And this beautiful book is the reason why Walter Isaacson has long been one of my favorite historians. He has written biographies of Elon Musk, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Albert Eisenstein, Henry Kissinger, and Benjamin Franklin. Isaacson was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Currently he is a Professor of American History and Values at Tulane University in New Orleans. And once again, in his quiet way, Walter Isaacson has given us much to ponder in this frightening time in our history.
December 28, 2025
The first sentence of the second paragraph of The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America:
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.
As an exercise for its 250th birthday, Isaacson proceeds to parse each phrase, give us background on how and from where they arose, and why they were included (or excluded from the final text). He then discusses how the concepts of The Commons and The American Dream emerged from the Declaration, how these ideals are now under assault, and what we must do to ensure the preservation of the rights and aspirations within our Founding document.
Nicely done. An easy read, very timely, very necessary.
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.
As an exercise for its 250th birthday, Isaacson proceeds to parse each phrase, give us background on how and from where they arose, and why they were included (or excluded from the final text). He then discusses how the concepts of The Commons and The American Dream emerged from the Declaration, how these ideals are now under assault, and what we must do to ensure the preservation of the rights and aspirations within our Founding document.
Nicely done. An easy read, very timely, very necessary.
December 26, 2025
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.
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.
December 2, 2025
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.
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.
November 23, 2025
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.
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.
October 12, 2025
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?
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?
January 12, 2026
3.75 Rounded up to a 4.
Probably not the best of Walter Isaacson’s work to start with, as he’s had a rather illustrious career and I have known that I wanted to eventually get around to reading something by him, I’ve been eyeing his biography on Benjamin Franklin for awhile now but it is a lil intimidating so I opted to start with this much shorter work.
I don’t know exactly what I was expecting… but it was something more along the lines of the one sentence being explored in great detail. And it was, but I think I expected to hear a story of the founding fathers pouring over that one sentence, to see the path that it took and all the different ideas and sentences that came before, all the ways that each father contributed to each word, and the order of the words and them arguing or disagreeing about certain aspects and changing & changing it again. I imagined the lot of them having hemmed & hawed over every detail, meticulously going over it a fine tooth comb. That may have been a ridiculous thought, but still I felt a errr tiny bit disappointed by what I did get. It felt more like a summary of the ideals that spurred the Declaration of Independence & the subsequent U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights. It was definitely interesting, there were bits about the philosopher friends of the fathers that influenced their perspectives, and they briefly explored the glaring contradiction between the words in the declaration & the practice of slave ownership.
One tidbit I found especially interesting was when John Hancock & Benjamin Franklin quipped that they must all hang together, lest they end up hanging separately—a lil play on words alluding to the risk they were taking & the potentially deadly consequences of the massive gamble they were all staking their lives on. I feel like that’s not often explored & it’s easy to forget that everything our founding fathers were doing was being done under risk of death, or at the very least, imprisonment, & it wasn’t just all these famous figures hanging out in a slightly wilder USA, having meetings & writing declarations! There was real danger, real fear mixed in that intellectually charged environment!
Overall it felt sorta like a coffee table book version of a history of the declaration of Independence. Fun & informative, but like the bullet point version.
Probably not the best of Walter Isaacson’s work to start with, as he’s had a rather illustrious career and I have known that I wanted to eventually get around to reading something by him, I’ve been eyeing his biography on Benjamin Franklin for awhile now but it is a lil intimidating so I opted to start with this much shorter work.
I don’t know exactly what I was expecting… but it was something more along the lines of the one sentence being explored in great detail. And it was, but I think I expected to hear a story of the founding fathers pouring over that one sentence, to see the path that it took and all the different ideas and sentences that came before, all the ways that each father contributed to each word, and the order of the words and them arguing or disagreeing about certain aspects and changing & changing it again. I imagined the lot of them having hemmed & hawed over every detail, meticulously going over it a fine tooth comb. That may have been a ridiculous thought, but still I felt a errr tiny bit disappointed by what I did get. It felt more like a summary of the ideals that spurred the Declaration of Independence & the subsequent U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights. It was definitely interesting, there were bits about the philosopher friends of the fathers that influenced their perspectives, and they briefly explored the glaring contradiction between the words in the declaration & the practice of slave ownership.
One tidbit I found especially interesting was when John Hancock & Benjamin Franklin quipped that they must all hang together, lest they end up hanging separately—a lil play on words alluding to the risk they were taking & the potentially deadly consequences of the massive gamble they were all staking their lives on. I feel like that’s not often explored & it’s easy to forget that everything our founding fathers were doing was being done under risk of death, or at the very least, imprisonment, & it wasn’t just all these famous figures hanging out in a slightly wilder USA, having meetings & writing declarations! There was real danger, real fear mixed in that intellectually charged environment!
Overall it felt sorta like a coffee table book version of a history of the declaration of Independence. Fun & informative, but like the bullet point version.
December 12, 2025
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.
Read
December 27, 2025I picked this up almost on a whim, drawn in by the audacity of the title. If someone is going to claim they’ve found THE greatest sentence ever written, they’d better make a compelling case. Isaacson absolutely does.
What I didn’t expect was how relevant this slim book would feel in 2025.
Unpacking a single sentence from the Declaration of Independence, Isaacson manages to explore Enlightenment philosophy, the social contract, equality, individualism, common ground, and the persistent tension between aspiration and reality in the American experiment. It’s political philosophy, history, and civic reflection but written with clarity that it doesn't feel heavy or borinf.
I especially appreciated how the book resists nostalgia. It reminds us that the founders’ vision was not about turning back the clock to some imagined golden age, but about articulating principles broad enough to allow growth, correction, and moral expansion over time. Reading this alongside contemporary political rhetoric that treats the past as something to “restore” rather than interrogate was quietly bracing. One almost wishes a certain president (you know the one) might be handed a copy, though history suggests that wouldn’t end well.
This was an unexpected Christmas read, short, smart, and surprisingly moving. I wasn’t planning on reading political philosophy over the holidays, but I’m glad I did. A reminder of how powerful words can be & how much work they still ask of us.
What I didn’t expect was how relevant this slim book would feel in 2025.
Unpacking a single sentence from the Declaration of Independence, Isaacson manages to explore Enlightenment philosophy, the social contract, equality, individualism, common ground, and the persistent tension between aspiration and reality in the American experiment. It’s political philosophy, history, and civic reflection but written with clarity that it doesn't feel heavy or borinf.
I especially appreciated how the book resists nostalgia. It reminds us that the founders’ vision was not about turning back the clock to some imagined golden age, but about articulating principles broad enough to allow growth, correction, and moral expansion over time. Reading this alongside contemporary political rhetoric that treats the past as something to “restore” rather than interrogate was quietly bracing. One almost wishes a certain president (you know the one) might be handed a copy, though history suggests that wouldn’t end well.
This was an unexpected Christmas read, short, smart, and surprisingly moving. I wasn’t planning on reading political philosophy over the holidays, but I’m glad I did. A reminder of how powerful words can be & how much work they still ask of us.
Currently reading
November 18, 2025This 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.
November 23, 2025
“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.
Achieving these ideals requires a balance between individual rights and community responsibility.
December 2, 2025
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.
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.
January 9, 2026
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
This is what Isaacson calls the greatest sentence ever written, the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.
In 80 pages, Isaacson, breaks down this sentence with chapters entitled We, Self-Evident Truths, All Men, Created Equal, Endowed by their Creator, Certain Unalienable Rights, and Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These chapters discuss the philosophical influence of these words/phrases as well and the philosophy that lead to these words being chosen.
Then, Isaacson discusses Common Ground, The American Dream, and Going Foward in 2026 and beyond. In the appendices, he includes a chapter on the drafting process that included Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin, and excerpts of writings that influenced that sentence, John Locke's Second Treatise of Government Rousseau's The Social Contract, and Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Lastly, he includes the original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final Declaration of Independence.
This is definitely a study worth taking a look at.
This is what Isaacson calls the greatest sentence ever written, the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.
In 80 pages, Isaacson, breaks down this sentence with chapters entitled We, Self-Evident Truths, All Men, Created Equal, Endowed by their Creator, Certain Unalienable Rights, and Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These chapters discuss the philosophical influence of these words/phrases as well and the philosophy that lead to these words being chosen.
Then, Isaacson discusses Common Ground, The American Dream, and Going Foward in 2026 and beyond. In the appendices, he includes a chapter on the drafting process that included Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin, and excerpts of writings that influenced that sentence, John Locke's Second Treatise of Government Rousseau's The Social Contract, and Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Lastly, he includes the original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final Declaration of Independence.
This is definitely a study worth taking a look at.
November 30, 2025
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.
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.
December 14, 2025
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.
December 28, 2025
Very short essay on the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence. A great read, but but it would probably be more persuasive if it were longer and more developed. His analysis of the meaning of common ground and equality is a valuable lesson for our divided country going forward.
January 10, 2026
read this for 389. points off for the title and the title alone. no patience for American exceptionalism around here !!
November 29, 2025
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.
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.
November 30, 2025
"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."
"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."
December 5, 2025
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.
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.
November 27, 2025
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.
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.
January 13, 2026
A powerful reminder of our founding ideals.
The Greatest Sentence Ever Written is an engaging, easy-to-read exploration of the Declaration of Independence, thoughtfully examined line by line. It’s a great reminder of where our nation began — and where we should continue striving to go.
Centered on the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”, this book reconnects the founding ideals to the American Dream in a way that feels both timeless and urgent. It’s a short read, but a meaningful one that left me inspired and reflective.
My favorite quote perfectly captures the heart of the book:
“That’s the ideal of common ground and the American Dream that our founders fought for 250 years ago. And that’s what we must continue to fight for today so that we can preserve, for ourselves and our posterity, the rights and aspirations that we all share, including to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
A thoughtful and patriotic reflection on the principles that define America and the responsibility we share to uphold them.
The Greatest Sentence Ever Written is an engaging, easy-to-read exploration of the Declaration of Independence, thoughtfully examined line by line. It’s a great reminder of where our nation began — and where we should continue striving to go.
Centered on the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”, this book reconnects the founding ideals to the American Dream in a way that feels both timeless and urgent. It’s a short read, but a meaningful one that left me inspired and reflective.
My favorite quote perfectly captures the heart of the book:
“That’s the ideal of common ground and the American Dream that our founders fought for 250 years ago. And that’s what we must continue to fight for today so that we can preserve, for ourselves and our posterity, the rights and aspirations that we all share, including to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
A thoughtful and patriotic reflection on the principles that define America and the responsibility we share to uphold them.
December 12, 2025
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.
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.
December 21, 2025
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.
January 1, 2026
Those familiar with the tomes Isaacson has written on Jobs, da Vinci, Franklin, and others might be shocked by the brevity of this book on "the greatest sentence ever written," but Isaacson packs a ton of information and insight into such a small volume. The sentence is, of course, the one from the Declaration of Independence, which he parses out word by word, giving both the historical background and sourcing and its meaning to the revolutionary era. While most of the credit has always gone to Jefferson as the writer, the tweaks by Franklin and Adams result in some of the best-known phrasing. Jefferson also cribbed from enlightenment philosophers like Locke and Rousseau, and George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights. Isaacson then provides appendices with excerpts from these sources, along with Jefferson's first draft and the final Declaration. This is a must read for everyone as we enter our 250th anniversary year.
December 24, 2025
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.
January 5, 2026
I like Walter Isaacson, but this isn't a book, it's an essay. In honor of our nation's 250th birthday, he has taken the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence and analyzed every word. It is helpful to revisit our founding fathers' intentions and look at its relevance in today's America. It's also intriguing to see the original document vs. the edited version. But, again, it's not a book. Super quick read.
January 9, 2026
I liked the idea more than the experience. The close reading of a single sentence is interesting at first, and there were moments where I caught myself rereading it with fresh eyes. But sometimes the analysis felt stretched, like circling the same thought from slightly different angles. I enjoyed the author’s enthusiasm, even when I didnt fully agree. By the end I was still thinking about sentences, just not always this one.
December 18, 2025
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.
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.
January 4, 2026
Fantastic quick read (67 pages! Bonus points for keeping things concise). A book every American would benefit from reading. Loved the references throughout to Hume/Rousseau/Paine/etc as it puts the thoughts of Franklin and other Declaration writers in context of the broader philosophical era. I learned a lot from this book, so it gets 5 stars!
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