The Founders and the Classics: Greece, Rome, and the American Enlightenment

I can't praise this book enough! Carl Richard does a fantastic job of drawing parallels between the founders and the Roman classics. Not only did our founders know and love the classics (as he points out), but it influenced their lives and how they thought in very tangible way!The story of Washington and Cincinnatus is a prime example. Washington was so influenced by this 5th century Roman who famously gave his power (of dictator) back to the senate, that Richard points out that Washington refused to surrender during the worst parts of the American War for Independence lest he forfeit the privilege of laying down his power after the war.Here is what is probably my favorite quote from the book:"An astonished western world agreed with the judgement of George III. Unable to believe that any military leader would voluntarily surrender such power, the kind scoffed that if Washington resigned his commission, “He will be the greatest man in the world.” The king’s confusion epitomized his inability, throughout the Revolutionary conflict , to comprehend the enormous emotional power which classical republican ideals wielded over American minds” (p. 71).Highly recommend this book! If you love the classics, and the history of our founders, this may be your new favorite book!

It is almost universally acclaimed that the political and judicial wisdom of the Founding Fathers in the construction of the U.S. Constitution is truly phenomenal. A big reason why is that they were well educated (many self educated) in the reading of the classics from the Greek and Roman eras of republican power and representative government. They took their advice and avoided their mistakes as history unfolded.This book is of vital importance in understanding the foundations of our government as conceived by these men. At the same time it is an excellent summary of the classics themselves, which serves as an education in itself, and hopefully stimulates the reader to explore the classics more - many of which are not easy reading, but nevertheless profound and interesting. If every child in high school read this book our society would be improved immensely even though the ideas rendered from the readings would vary vastly.

If you are looking for a study of American colonial thought and education, this book is for you.

Our great Founding Fathers were not the only ones in Philadelphia during that hot summer of 1787. They had with them the age of the Greeks, Roman, and European Enlightened thinkers. In this great work, Dr. Richard gives us a rich and exciting read of the great ancients whose works still give us the moral and natural laws we live by today.A must own text for those that cherish our great Constitutional debates and the origination of some of the evolved thoughts coming to Philadelphia in 1787, but, originating as far back as 2,000 years ago.

This is a must for every serious student of U.S. History. Carl Richard clarifies the role classical education played in the political debates of our Founders. How such classical education and understanding coupled with more modern history of their time resulted in the establishment of the Federal Governament. He covers the issues facing the founders in determining what form of government monarchial systems, republicanism, democratic and other forms of government.

Wonderful.

Awesome book!

Sorry, this book put me to sleep. I am interested in the topic, but couldn't get past the pedantic writing style.