What’s the Best Reading on the Founding?

Alex Adrianson / July 01, 2010

We’ve solicited some thoughts on the American Independence and Founding from a variety of conservative and libertarian leaders. Between now and July 4, we’ll post some of the most interesting answers. Here is the first installment.

What is the single best book or article you have read about the American Founding?

Matt Mayer, President of the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions: Outside of the fairly obvious The Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, I’d have to settle on Russell Shorto’s The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America. Short’s excellent book is a timely reminder for all Americans of the vital role the Dutch played in our country’s founding. Two of the principles that make America exceptional come directly from the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam/New York.

First, the long Dutch history of tolerance that became the basis of the First Amendment’s Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses. Many Americans likely forget that the Pilgrims didn’t come directly from England to America; rather, the Pilgrims left the intolerance of England for the tolerance of Leiden, The Netherlands. From Leiden, the Pilgrims came to America. Our Founding Fathers adopted this Dutch tolerance when they wrote and ratified the Constitution, thereby making America the destination of the world’s oppressed for four centuries. (more…)