In honor of Independence Day I wanted to select a book that describes the history surrounding the Declaration of Independence. When I saw the title of this book I thought it would be a good book to start my July study on the Declaration of Independence.
Maier begins her book by describing the preservation efforts at maintaining the Declaration of Independence. Then she notes “The original signed texts of the Declaration of Independence and to a lesser extent the Constitution have become for the United States what Lenin’s body was for the Soviet Union a tangible remnant of the revolution to which its children can still cling.”
Throughout the book Maier downplays the significance of the Declaration of Independence noting that there were 90 such declarations at state or local levels from the spring of 1776 through July 1776. This was foreshadowed in her introduction where she noted:
“I dismissed the suggestion that I write a modern history of the Declaration of Independence. There’s already too much written on the subject I remember saying and I have no particular interest in adding to the pile. I also thought that the document had been hyped out of all proportion to what was justified and that more attention would only exacerbate the problem.”
Maier notes that her book “tells two different but related stories - that of the original making of the Declaration of Independence and that of its remaking into the document most Americans know, remember, and revere.”
After finishing this book I was left with the impression that Maier viewed the Declaration of Independence as a run of the mill document created in the normal course of business for a congressional body. It was not unique because it was based off of other historical documents. Jefferson was not the sole author but the congress as a whole. Jefferson and Adams were just ordinary people who happened to live in a time where they could achieve a greatness that otherwise they were undeserving. The Declaration of Independence has only gained notoriety to win political support, with Abraham Lincoln being one of the most successful politicians to do so.
Maier writes a well researched book that contains a wealth of information but I don’t agree with her conclusions. Overall I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.
Paris Grimm stepped out of his Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan and pulled his sunglasses over his eyes. His personally customized $1,350,000 SUV, his sunglasses, and his suit matched in a perfect shade of jet black. As he stepped toward the nondescript building ahead of him his entourage of four body guards flanked him on both sides.
As they approached the building they were greeted by a single man also dressed in a black suit.
“State your business.”
“I am here to see the Master.”
“State the oath. All of you in unison.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Do you wish to see his eminence? Are you prepared to walk down the dark corridor? If so you must state the oath now or I will ask you to leave.”
Paris Grimm stared at the weasel of a man blocking his admittance and imagined him strapped to a board while his flesh was peeled from his skin. A door man for the Master had no right to issue orders to the most powerful lieutenant in the organization. Especially not today. Today Paris Grimm was going to become the Master.
Several seconds passed in silence before the weasel spoke again. “I will inform ...
