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The Essential Wisdom of the Founding Fathers
The Essential Wisdom of the Founding Fathers collects more than three hundred inspiring and instructive quotations from the men who were present at our nation's inception. Drawn from their speeches, essays, proclamations, and declarations, the thematically arranged contents reflect the subjects of greatest import to the founders as they forged our new republic. This volume includes extracts from texts published in the founders' lifetimes in which they exchange ideas on the meaning of justice, the evils of slavery, the role of the patriot, and the pitfalls of politics. Here, too, are candid excerpts from correspondence in which they express fears about the perilous times they face, and their hopes for a brighter future. Read the thoughts and beliefs of the Founding Fathers in their own words, and rediscover the ideals, heroism, and greatness that have been a part of America from the very beginning.
126 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2019
This is an excellent compilation of the thoughts of the founding fathers on a variety of topics, including the Revolution, founding the government, and the presidency. Carol Kelly-Gangi has done a masterful job in editing this book, using thoughts from letters, diaries, speeches, articles, and pamphlets. Brief snippets give an insight into the times of these men and the significant events they faced as they set about founding our nation. Many things I had heard before, such as statements from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Nathan Hale, but I found myself fascinated by the thoughts of George Washington and John Adams. Kelly-Gangi includes short paragraph biographies of those included in this book.
Although published in 2009, I feel this book is particularly valuable in this day when our founding fathers are being attacked and disparaged by people who have no understanding of what 'walking in their shoes' was like. These men pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" to rebel against Great Britain and form the nation we have today. We cannot, nor should not, judge people of the past by present times. I am so glad I found this book when I did and highly recommend it.
Although published in 2009, I feel this book is particularly valuable in this day when our founding fathers are being attacked and disparaged by people who have no understanding of what 'walking in their shoes' was like. These men pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" to rebel against Great Britain and form the nation we have today. We cannot, nor should not, judge people of the past by present times. I am so glad I found this book when I did and highly recommend it.
March 27, 2010
Believe it or not, I found this book in the bargain aisle of Barnes & Nobles. What a disgrace for this little gem but a great find for me!
With all the confusion, frustration, anger, etc in our country at this time, the book was refreshing. These were men that had seen it all. They were content to be Englishmen but forced to become something more. Even better, they didn't look back but forged ahead. These were true heroes instead of the drug/sex addicted sport icons of today.
With all the confusion, frustration, anger, etc in our country at this time, the book was refreshing. These were men that had seen it all. They were content to be Englishmen but forced to become something more. Even better, they didn't look back but forged ahead. These were true heroes instead of the drug/sex addicted sport icons of today.
June 29, 2009
Brilliant...I love words of wisdom. I find that reading the words of our founding fathers gives me strength...and makes me appreciate them and their work so much more.
They all knew when they signed the Declaration of Independence that they had signed their lives away if the revolution failed. They were willing to risk all for freedom. Are there still men like that?
You betcha.
They all knew when they signed the Declaration of Independence that they had signed their lives away if the revolution failed. They were willing to risk all for freedom. Are there still men like that?
You betcha.
October 18, 2024
A quick read, that I will refer back to many time. Filled with quotes from our founding fathers. Some of the quotes I knew, but didn't know who said them. Others I recognized and many I had never heard before. These type of books are always handy and good to read, plus it's not big so you can get through it as quickly or slowly as you want.
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December 31, 2021Most likely the last book I finish in 2021!
I don't have much to say about this one. Some decent advice in here, the parts where all the old white men say that everyone is equal under the law and that slavery should be abolished, while all being slave owners definitely stands out.
I don't have much to say about this one. Some decent advice in here, the parts where all the old white men say that everyone is equal under the law and that slavery should be abolished, while all being slave owners definitely stands out.
June 24, 2024
Excellent book of quotes from our founding fathers, including Washington, Adam’s, Jefferson, and Franklin, and many more. Good stuff that shows what the founders believed. This a short/quick read type book.
December 24, 2019
It was a very nice book that my co-worker gave me. My favorite part was when Benjamin Franklin suggested that the Turkey would make a better national symbol than the Bald Eagle!
July 15, 2015
"The Essential Wisdom of the Founding Fathers" is a really neat collection of quotes from our Founding Fathers, organized into categories such as government, religion, family, morality, etc.
I did have just a few concerns with this little volume, though: 1) I didn't like how some of the quotes were repeated throughout the book. 2) Some of the quotes had a detailed description as to their source--mentioning the precise letter, diary entry, or newspaper article it came from--while others did not. These merely mentioned who said the quote and to whom they said it. 3) Some of the quotes are apocryphal, which again was often obvious with the aforementioned lack of specificity as to these quotes' primary source(s). 4) Minor spelling and factual errors, most notably in the mini-biographies of the founders located in the appendix of the book.
Despite all that, this was a good book, though I surmise it was likely hastily put together so places like Barnes & Noble could make a quick buck on an item like this in their discount section. I also think I'll keep an eye out for a more carefully edited and exhaustive volume of quotes from our nation's founders.
I did have just a few concerns with this little volume, though: 1) I didn't like how some of the quotes were repeated throughout the book. 2) Some of the quotes had a detailed description as to their source--mentioning the precise letter, diary entry, or newspaper article it came from--while others did not. These merely mentioned who said the quote and to whom they said it. 3) Some of the quotes are apocryphal, which again was often obvious with the aforementioned lack of specificity as to these quotes' primary source(s). 4) Minor spelling and factual errors, most notably in the mini-biographies of the founders located in the appendix of the book.
Despite all that, this was a good book, though I surmise it was likely hastily put together so places like Barnes & Noble could make a quick buck on an item like this in their discount section. I also think I'll keep an eye out for a more carefully edited and exhaustive volume of quotes from our nation's founders.
December 21, 2013
This is such a neat little volume! The quotes picked for this book are some of the more well known and insightful from the most famous of the founding fathers. It only takes a minute to read through, but it's a good refresher for a student or just a great quick read for a fan of the Revolutionary era.
January 3, 2015
This was my first book of 2015, after sitting on the shelf for quite some time. It was a fast little read full of great quotes from the founding fathers. Adds historical context for some major world events while still shedding light on some of the political problems of today. If nothing else, it's a great resource for pulling quotes in the future.
February 15, 2014
This book is mostly quotes from "The Founding Fathers," but there is no true way to know how edited they are for the writer's want or need for this book. There are son interesting (VERY) brief di scriptoriums of their lives in the last few pages.
June 6, 2014
Good book on the thoughts of the founding fathers
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews