**May contain spoilers!**
I'm not usually one to pick up a history book, but boy I loved this one. I was even reading it at Disneyland! Each page pulled me into a different world and the past came alive before my very eyes.
I found the Founders to be such inspirational leaders. I was often moved by their determination and courage to lead this country forward. We are still enjoying the fruits of their hard work and sacrifice so many years later. They have touched each of our lives in such a profound way.
This is the first time I actually learned about the Declaration of Independence in depth. It helped me realize just how brilliant Jefferson is to be able to fashion a piece of writing like this. What an organized, structured, fair and comprehensive document. It is also very persuasive. The abuses the colonists endured were so many. Yes, it was definitely time for them to separate! Who wouldn't agree? In this situation, I find myself wondering, would I be able to come up with a document like the Declaration of Independence? Of course not. It is a work of genius and I'm ever so grateful to Michael for helping me decipher and understand it. He made the language accessible to me, like decoding a puzzle. And that is such a gift because this book is very important, one that dissects the words that paved the way for our country. At the same time, it's very eye-opening to see how people were oppressed and made to suffer under the hands of the king and how that could've been our fate, were it not for the Founders. We owe everything to them (even being at Disneyland!)
“The Declaration of Independence provided a case for humanity, a declaration of the rights of all humankind, not just the rights of citizens of what would become the United States of America.”
I didn't know Washington was against slavery and did what he could to stop it. That's impressive considering the time from which he came. It was considered the norm. He was a pioneer and a thought-leader, daring to stray from the crowds and daring to think for himself.
"He regarded slaves as human beings, not some secondary or inferior species
I appreciate how Michael cleared up the misconception regarding the 3/5ths Compromise. It’s easy to misunderstand what happened.
Something I didn't know: "In Sparta, for example, if the examiner judged a child to be unhealthy or ill-formed, the examiner would have the child thrown into a pit." Oh my gosh, that's horrendous!
Also, I didn't know the role of the jury is to keep the judge in check; to prevent modern government from doing what it had in the past. That’s so interesting!
I didn't know you have to pack out your own feces if traveling by boat up the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return wilderness.
But more importantly, I didn't know the cost some of the signers paid to stand up against such tyranny, like Robert Morris, Thomas Nelson Jr. and many others.
"All of Nelson's time, money, and property he freely gave to the cause of independence. His example shows the deep level of commitment the signers had in the cause for independence."
"Of course, many others signed the Declaration of Independence. And far more fought, bled, and died, giving along with the signers their fortune, sacred honor, and very lives."
"The principles of the Declaration of Independence stands the test of time. Human nature does not change. Humankind naturally possesses an inherent desire for freedom, a desire to do as one sees fit, a desire to act without interference from others.”
"The purpose for entering into society is for the mutual protection of the natural, unalienable rights of man. All of us-male and female-have the right to live and to live according to the dictates of our conscience as long as we do not infringe on the rights of others.”
The ending of this book especially moved me and I was nearly brought to tears. These men were like superheroes, stepping up with extraordinary bravery, risking their lives completely to pursue a cause so noble for everyone. I can't imagine how they summoned up such strength. When I think of putting my life on the line, I feel terrified and afraid of any pain that might come. But they found freedom to be worth the price; any price. It is simply unbelievable.
"We may die; die colonists; die slaves; die, it may be, ignominiously and on the scaffold. Be it so. Be it so. If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice, come when that hour may. But while I do live, let me have a country, or at least the hope of a country, and that a free country." So Noble. They died for me...
“All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it; and I leave off as I begun, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, Independence, now, and Independence forever!"
What an amazing book, wow. Thank you Michael!
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