First Principles: What America's Founders Learned From the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]

Ricks, Thomas E.

Published by Harper, New York, 2020

As new condition navy blue boards with gold spine lettering contained in a fine condition non price-clipped color illustrated dust jacket. Includes List of Other Books by Thomas E. Ricks; Author Dedication; Preliminary Page Quote by George Washington to James Warren, March 31, 1779; A Note on Language; Chronology; Prologue: What is America?; Epilogue: What We Can Do; Acknowledgments; Appendix: The Declaration of Independence; Notes; Index and About the Author. Illustrated with Map of the United States at the End of the Revolution. "From the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author Thomas E. Ricks, a revelatory new look at the founding fathers that examines their educations and, in particular, their devotion to the ancient Greek and Roman classics - and how that influence shaped their ideals and the new American nation. .Trying to get as close to the source as he could, Ricks decided to go back and read the philosophy and literature that shaped the founders' thinking, and the letters they wrote to one another debating these crucial works - among them the Iliad, Plutarch's Lives, and the works of Xenophon, Epicurus, Aristotle, Cato, and Cicero. For though much attention has been paid to the influence of English political philosophers closer to their own era, like John Locke, the founders were far more immersed in the literature of the ancient world. The first four American presidents came by their classical knowledge in different ways: Washington absorbed it mainly from the elite culture of his day; Adams learned it through the laws and rhetoric of Rome; Jefferson immersed himself in classical philosophy, especially Epicureanism; and Madision, both a groundbreaking researcher and a deft politician, spent years studying the ancient world like a political scientist. Each of their experiences, and their distinctive learning styles and choices, played an essential role in the formation of the United States. In examining how and what they studied, and in viewing these men through the unusual lens of the classical world, Ricks is able to draw arresting and fresh portraits of men we thought we knew. First Principles follows these four members of the Revolutionalry generation from youth to adulthood as they grappled with questions of independence and with forming and keeping a new nation. In doing so, Ricks not only interprets ethe effect of the ancient world on each man and how their classical educations shaped our constitution and governmemt, but also offers startling new insights into these legendary leaders." - excerpt from the inner front and rear jacket flaps. Seller Inventory # 007886

Bibliographic Details

Title: First Principles: What America's Founders ...
Publisher: Harper, New York
Publication Date: 2020
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Carlson-Stanisic, Leah (book design); Thorpe, Gene (map illustration); Guinn, Andrea (jacket design); Volcano, Alessandro (author photograph)
Condition: As New
Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
Edition: 1st Edition