Product Description Words, written or spoken, had a profound impact during the American founding. From Yankee Doodle to A Word to the Wise, these are the words of legend. But what's the real story behind them and why do they still inspire us today? We Hold These Truths presents 50 historically powerful quotes and combines them with brief narratives about their origins and impact --then and now.
Customer Reviews:
A book that demythologizes our patriotic lore November 2, 2008 "Don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes"; "One if by land, and two if by sea"; "United we stand--divided we fall"; "The British are coming!"; "I cannot tell a lie."
Like a ship encrusted with barnacles, our patriotic lore suffers from accretions, exaggerations, and inaccuracies. We cherish such revisionist history, however, because it flatters our national pride.
Examining the background of famous words that inspired the making of America, Paul Aron, senior editor and writer for Colonial Williamsburg, demythologizes these legends and uncovers the real stories behind them.
Aron covers the principal players: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and 16 others.
In 24 short chapters about the Revolutionary Era and our founding fathers, Aron provides revelations that surprise, delight, and entertain.
Fascinating window into our nation's past October 10, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has read a fair number of biographies of our founding fathers, I was very surprised how much new information is in here. A fun read!
fascinating and fun September 28, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Want to know whether Patrick Henry really said, "Give me liberty or give me death"? (Maybe, maybe not, Aron shows). Or where Benjamin Franklin came up with "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"? (Contrary to Bartlett's, according to Aron, it was probably James Howell's 1659 Paroimigrafia). Or who penned "We the people"? (It was the underappreciated James Wilson). Aron tells the stories behind the memorable phrases of the founding fathers and mothers. We Hold These Truths is fascinating and fun.
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