The Declaration of Independence

Taken phrase by phrase, inscribed and illustrated, these most famous words ring as true today as they did more than 200 years ago.

The Declaration of Independence is considered to be one of the greatest documents of all time. The central section of the declaration is a ringing assertion that every human being has an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.Now in paperback, here is the complete Declaration of Independence beautifully hand-lettered and decorated. Almost every section is highlighted on its own page, with its meaning enhanced by imaginative drawings and sketches appropriate to the all-important words they complement, making the sometimes difficult language clear to any reader.

When pondering the Declaration of Independence, many readers get as far as "When in the course of human events..." before their eyes glaze over. But when author-illustrator Sam Fink took the time to read the document, he was so impressed, he decided to do what he could to make it more accessible to everyone. By dividing the text into short phrases, hand lettering the words on one page, and illustrating the ideas expressed on the facing page, Fink succeeded marvelously in his goal. His scratchy, historically accurate illustrations are compelling (and often witty) in their representation of the Declaration's significance. In one spread, the text reads "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States." On the facing page, a grumpy King George stands over a dictionary opened to a definition of tyrant, pointing to the word and saying, "THAT'S ME!" and "I am also a usurper." A complete version of the Declaration of Independence follows the illustrated portion of the book, as well as a chronology of events, a glossary of terms (such as "usurpations"), and a selected bibliography. A fabulously readable surprise! (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie Coulter