Founding Character: Documents That Define the United States of America and its People

by Kirk Ward Robinson

In this expanded new edition, Kirk Ward Robinson presents the Founding documents of the United States of America, with additional interpretation to reinforce his premise that the character of the nation and its people, even in modern times, derives not only from the ideals expressed in the Founding documents, but also from the historical pressures that led to their creation. These documents—The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, Thomas Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” 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—built upon one another to create a sense of expectation that is unique to America; a sense of expectation that permeates American society, influencing profound greatness as well as bitter debate.Founding Documents That Define the United States of America and its People, the first book in Robinson’s Founding Trilogy, is a companion to Founding Courage and Character in the United States of America, and Founding Conservation (forthcoming). Founding Character is an accessible reference to the Founding of America, suitable for the classroom or the general 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, Paperback

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.