The US: From Independence to Revolution - Essay Example

The book America Declares Independence discusses the theology, history, and political theories surroundings the Declaration of Independence. Several published writings and letters of Franklin, Jefferson, and others are presented in the book. The interesting thing about the book is how it explored the idea that the men who fought for, authored, and amended the Declaration of Independence did not have to establish a Christian nation in mind. The author presented data showing that the values of the Orthodox Christian Church are all rejected by Thomas Jefferson. Also, it explores the concept that equality, and not slavery, is the purpose of the Declaration. Dershowitz presented data supporting the idea that Jefferson rejects the concept of slavery and supports the “secular humanist” concept. It is controversial, challenging, and disturbing because it requires readers to rethink their opinions regarding the Declaration.

Of all the books reviewed, A Diplomatic History of the American Revolution is considered the most interesting exploration of the different sides of diplomacy during the American Revolution. It provides an easy and interesting read, thus giving the book a wide array of target readers. It catches the interest even of a general reader, yet provides well-researched data that will also interest any historian. The diplomatic history of the American Revolution is presented from several angles, including America’s diplomatic ties with France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, and Spain.

Simple and straightforward, The American Revolution: Its Character and Limits discusses a lot of unfinished businesses caused by the American Revolution. Mainly, two very interesting articles provide a great eye-opener for any reader: “Two Republics in a Hostile World” by Jonathan Dull, and “The Ambiguities of Power” by J.R. Pole. The book, particularly these two articles, can be compared to the ideas presented in the book by Dershowitz --- it makes one rethink their personal opinions on American History.

The book A Companion to the American Revolution is a compilation of ninety separate texts discussing the political, cultural, and social aspects of the American Revolution. According to the book editors, the results of this historical day can be felt from the Caribbean to Russia. One very interesting topic in the book is the explanation of the Magna Carta’s influence on the American Revolution. Adequate supporting facts are provided to validate all the claims made in the book, proving that the book is well-researched and balanced.

The book The American Doctrine of Judicial Supremacy is about judicial power. The main sources of the book are stories by Thomas Hutchinson --- a person who lived during the American Revolution. Just like A Companion to the American Revolution, it presents discussions on how the American Revolution is influenced by the Magna Carta. Thomas Hutchinson is a reliable source for the book because, he not only lived through the Stamp Act, but he also dedicated twenty years of his life investigating and examining the historical events of his time.