ISI Books has inaugurated a superb new historical series. Each volume is a slim, elegant, crisply-written study of what we might call the Lesser Founders. These are the men who built America but who, obscured by the towering giants of that age, haven’t been properly given their due. In comparison with Washington or Hamilton, few men measure up. But these Lesser Founders were impressive men in their own right, independent of mind, bold of action, mostly self-made, morally and philosophically serious, and they lived in fascinating times.
So far there have been studies of Luther Martin, “forgotten Founder, drunken prophet” according to Mr. Bill Kauffman’s subtitle; of the “incautious man,” Gouverneur Morris; and of that ablest of Washington’s lieutenants, Nathanael Greene.
These books belong in the library of any student of Amerca.
Comments (5)
I hope Patrick Henry is in the works.
Posted by Lydia | May 6, 2009 9:09 AM
'I hope Patrick Henry is in the works'
Amen!
Posted by Rob G | May 6, 2009 9:52 AM
"We are soldiers who devote ourselves to arms not for the invasion of other countries, but for the defense of our own, not for the gratification of our private interests but for public security"
Nathanael Green
Forgive us Nat for losing your vision, and may we collectively recover the great magnanimity of your soul.
Posted by Kevin | May 6, 2009 11:49 AM
ISI has a few new lectures on the American Founding, too. I've been publicizing their lecture library on local newspapers' web sites.
Posted by Kevin J Jones | May 6, 2009 12:45 PM
Well, I'll agree that the "founders" have not been given their proper due.
They were a bunch of lousy traitors who deserved to be hung.
The "Declaration of Independence" is surely the sorriest justification for treason in the history of the world. (Even Judas was told by the Lord, "Go and do what you must do.")
Our nation was born in treachery and rebellion, we've wallowed in it ever since, and we're finally drowning in it, as we well deserve.
What is so desperately needed today is not the example of the treacherous "founders", but role models of loyalty and submission to authority.
Posted by Risa Tyi | May 7, 2009 1:29 AM