American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence | Pauline Maier

American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence | Pauline Maier | Fresh perspective and new information on an old subject...

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American Scripture...

	American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence Pauline Maier Vintage, 1998 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 23 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Puts the Declaration in historical context

This interesting book demythologizes the creation of the Declaration by showing its relation to the times. Rather than being the brilliant and idiosyncratic creation of a single man (Thomas Jefferson), the Declaration is closely related to many other contemporary documents (including many other declarations of independence in the colonies). As Maier shows, its style and form also are derived from the historical conventions of written documents in Britain, the significance of such documents and their use to explain or justify events. Jefferson drafted the document but the final version is the product of a collective effort. Maier focuses on the historical context rather than on the abstract intellectual content of the Declaration considered in isolation. The book is well-written and I found it very interesting and informative. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Declaration or in this period of American history.

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Fresh perspective and new information on an old subject...

Maier challenges her readers' assumptions on a subject many Americans believe themselves to be somewhat knowledgeable -- the origins and drafting of the Declaration of Independence, and its interpretation and applicability to modern governance. The author's account of the states' role in the drafting, issuance and acceptance by the public of the Declaration makes for riveting reading.

The Declaration's precedents and as precedent

Pauline Maier's American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence is an interesting book. Not a conventional narrative history, Maier's book instead demythologizes the Declaration by first placing it in context, and then describing how the modern "myths" came to be. First, she outlines how the idea of "independence" came to be, and then became a colonial imperative. In the second chapter -- the most original -- she recounts numerous colonial "precedents" to the Declaration, to show its lineage. Next, she takes Jefferson's original draft and outlines the magnificent editing which the Continental Congress, acting as a committee of the whole, performed in very short order. She makes very clear that Jefferson was the Declaration's draftsman, not its author. Finally, she describes what subsequent ages have done to the Declaration, culminating in its near "re-birth" in the mind and prose of Abraham Lincoln. While clearly a work of serious scholarship, this general reader found both Maier's writing and argument very accessible (and persuasive).

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Valuable source of knowledge for student of American History

Pauline Maier gives an insightful view of several of our most prominent founding fathers. And the parts played by each in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the part played by the "committee of five" and the Congress as a reviewing and adapting committee itself. She enlightens us on the friendships, political philosophies and philosphical differences of the two most important figures (Jefferson and Adams) . Not to mention giving us a glimpse at their self controlled egos and jealousies as well. Of considerable interest is the overall public or social climate during the drafting of one of our most precious Documents. An understanding I had not had before. I very much enjoyed this book as a reference for further and/or continuing studies of the beginnings of this great Republic of ours and the men who made it possible. In any study of the same the more broad picture one can paint of these men the better one will be able to understand them and their motives. Never relying soley on any one point of view or perspective. But taking in as many as possible. It does not provide the in depth philosophies that Carl Becker provides in his book "The Declaration of Independence". But together they are a formitable start on understanding certain aspects of our Heritage and our founders intentions. When combined with an understanding of the Religious, moral and ethical standards of the time period (those manuals and books which shaped their thought processes) . The desperate straights that a break away philosophy created is brought vividly to life. One can begin to get a clear picture of the magnificent and wonderful event this document represents. Pauline Maier has created a work that should without a doubt be included in any dedicated study of the Birth of our Nation.

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good

After reading the book, American Sripture: Making the Declaration of Independence; I felt the author handled herself perfectly and I also thought that the book was very informative.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4, 5

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