New York Times BestsellerEditors’ Choice —New York Times Book Review
“Ricks knocks it out of the park with this jewel of a book. On every page I learned something new. Read it every night if you want to restore your faith in our country.” —James Mattis, General, U.S. Marines (ret.) & 26th Secretary of Defense
The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author … Defense
The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author offers a revelatory new book about the founding fathers, examining their educations and, in particular, their devotion to the ancient Greek and Roman classics—and how that influence would shape their ideals and the new American nation.
On the morning after the 2016 presidential election, Thomas Ricks awoke with a few questions on his mind: What kind of nation did we now have? Is it what was designed or intended by the nation’s founders? 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 each other 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 the influence of English political philosophers, like John Locke, closer to their own era, the founders were far more immersed in the literature of the ancient world.
The first four American presidents came to their classical knowledge differently. Washington absorbed it mainly from the elite culture of his day; Adams from the laws and rhetoric of Rome; Jefferson immersed himself in classical philosophy, especially Epicureanism; and Madison, both a groundbreaking researcher and a deft politician, spent years studying the ancient world like a political scientist. Each of their experiences, and distinctive learning, played an essential role in the formation of the United States. In examining how and what they studied, looking at them in the unusual light 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 Revolutionary generation from their youths to their adult lives, as they grappled with questions of independence, and forming and keeping a new nation. In doing so, Ricks interprets not only the effect of the ancient world on each man, and how that shaped our constitution and government, but offers startling new insights into these legendary leaders.
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A fantastic look at how the Greeks and Romans shaped the thinking of the Founding Fathers. I really enjoyed it.
Ricks knows his subject well, and, equally important, he writes about it lucidly.
Thomas Ricks connects our current political climate to the intentions of our Founding Fathers. The writer shares John Addams wisdom in which He wrote Property monopolized or in the possession of a few is the curse of mankind.It might be wise to have taxation on a fairer basis .The author writes did the Founders anticipate a Donald Trump I would say yes . James Madison wrote Enlightened statesman will not always be at the helm.Just after Aaron Burr nearly became president Jefferson wrote that bad men will sometimes get in with such immense patronage ,may make great progress in corrupting the public mind and principles .This is a subject with which wisdom and patriotism should be occupied with.Fortunately the founders build a durable system that has often stymied Trump . Our recent election has shown the courts to prove that true .Over the last few years we have seen Madison’s checks and balances operate robustly!The author reminds us the Constitution was designed to be amended -that is improved .The gerrymandering districts use has the effect of depriving the people who are not in power of a meaningful vote. This concept should be done away with .The writer warns us of the bizarre legal fiction that corporations are people to enjoying the rights of citizens including unfettered campaign donations as a form of free speech Indeed corporations cannot be jailed or executed while citizens can and do suffer those fates . One must ask how is this just?The author writes studying the founders struggles and then thinking of where we are today is important We recognize the American experience is still under way and can be lost if we are not careful Despite it’s flaws it is still wonderful How nice it is to celebrate our 2020 election with a wiser ,kinder and more just President ,it appears the founding fathers knew what they were doing Thank-you for your insight and wisdom
Unspeakable left-wing Trump charging tripe. A waste of money and an opportunity for scholarly study. Don’t bother.
The basis connecting Greek and Roman history with the founding of the USA is somewhat contrived. Of course the founding fathers about 2/3rds who went to college were educated at one of 4 universities that existed in the colonies. The most common emphasis, before the sciences introduced by the industrial revolution, was on classics, mainly Greek and Roman. Of course the references in their writings cited the classics, especially relating to what they were trying to do, establishing a nation. They took what seemed like good features and omitted the bad. However everyone knows that those empires did not end well. Much of what they took were efforts to avoid that fate. The relevance was not so much philosophical with the Classic (nor the Enlightenment) period, but practical.
As soon as the Constitution was ratified began the work of adjusting the “Principles” to the real practical world. That challenge began immediately. And because the country and the world has been changing ever since, there were perilous periods initially and along the way such as currently.
There are really only 2 directions to go in, absolute democracy and power of the people with risk of anarchy or
central control and risk of tyranny. Greece remained a republic, made of states, fought among themselves, until conquered by Philip of Macedonia, hence weakened by anarchy. Rome turned to tyranny. America has sought a balance throughout its existence in a changing world.
The book is excellent as history and political science, and less so as philosophy. At the end, applying it to the present situation, Ricks exposes his
political orientation as Democrat and socialist which is not clearly justifiable from the book.
First Principles is a fascinating and erudite look at how Greek and Roman writers influenced members of the Founding Generation. From the Harvard-educated John Adams to the largely self-taught George Washington, the most well-known of American Revolutionaries, turned statesmen, looked to the classical world to answer critical questions about the nature of power and the nature of government.
Thomas Ricks’s deeply personal, patriotic quest to recover and renew the principles that animated America’s founders testifies eloquently to the value of historical understanding in these troubled times. Steeped in the classics, the founders could not have imagined our world and we are now, more than ever, acutely conscious of their failure to engage with the fundamental problem of racial slavery and its enduring legacies. But Ricks offers us a timely reminder of what the first four, nation-making presidents could imagine and did struggle to achieve.
One of my favorite works of history in a very long time. I grew up revering Jefferson. I found him loathsome here, but still recognize that like Churchill in 1940, a flawed man can move future events dramatically. Madison’s reach was remarkable. Poor Adams remained as miserable as I had always viewed him. But Washington was my revelation here. I have never been able to put flesh on those bones, but Ricks has done it.
A remarkable conceptual framework work for better understanding our first four presidents and our nation.