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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
:-), February 17, 2004
OK... This is wordy so bear with me I have a lot to say, maybe I should publish my own book! I was personally delighted to discover Dr. Olasky's book as its is almost tragic that the best books to be found on the American Revolution are to be found amongst the British Publishers. Other than biographies of our founding fathers discussion of the American Revolution tends to be limited to children's books. Dr Olasky reveals a much over looked aspect of the American Revolution, the cultural religious aspect as opposed to the well known economic cause. He also clearly draws connection between then and current (1995) events and explains why Religious Conservatives have joint interest with Economic Conservatives and Libertarians (big tent politics). While not directed at Liberal readers, I believe this would be of interest to read if at least to learn more of American History and the causes of the Revolution, should they have an open enough mind. Two key words here are Enlightened and Awakened. This books focus is on the long neglected Awakened, the Enlightened receive attention as regards the building of alliance between the two. The CAUSE... One often questions colonists motives for revolution over what would seem now to be paltry taxation levels. When the cultural aspect is examined we see much more clearly how the Colonies and Empire became a We vs. Them issue, as that would be the root of any desire to separate. Dr. Olasky draws from personal letters, diaries and newspapers to describe how different the colonies were from England. Further he explains why a seeming nuisance such as the Stamp Act was very much a cause celebre for revolution. On reading other sources (British), we can now understand the contrasting English view of the Stamp Act as a reasonable means for raising revenue and their surprise and anger over the colonial reaction... The cultural divide had become too great for England to realize the effect of their acts. CURRENT EVENTS... While this may seem a stilted publication to more Liberal readers, one has to keep in mind the culture of the time. The American Revolution was a revolution by radicals of the time. There were no Republican Nation States in existence (excluding city states), the Declaration of Independence, Federal and Confederate Constitutions were Radical documents and there were no Nation States of the time that codified the rights and liberties of the citizenry. Such Liberal leaders of the time such as Madison and Jefferson on some issues would today be far to the right of such Conservative leaders as the Bush's, as for these great founders allegedly being neglected in this book...... HUH? Further, the focus of this book is not the people or events but cultural differences so not only historical characters but major events do not receive mention. Dr Olasky clearly draws comparison to today's American Culture and makes rather pointed remarks one can only connect with former President Clinton. In essence Dr Olasky calls for a new awakening and a new unity amongst conservatives of our current times. RELIGION... Most importantly this publication describes the cause behind our First Amendment. Too often we regard the Bill of Rights as a document in/of itself without understanding the WHY of the document. Dr. Olasky clarify's why we have a seeming contradiction of Separation of Church and State Amendment written by a clearly religious majority of the time, in a nation self-declared the most religious in the world. Understanding the colonial culture of the time being inclusive of immigrants of the Reformed Christian, Orthodox, Roman Catholic religions (as well as Judaism and the non-religious) and the natural conflict with Imperial Anglicanism we see the roots and have new understanding of the purpose of our First Amendment. FINALLY... Dr Olasky gives an insight into how in the roots of forming our government of Liberty, also were grown the contradictory roots embedding slavery into the American culture leading America from Revolution to Civil War. This to me appears to be the weakest part of Dr. Olaskys book but naturally so since that is not the focus. While Dr. Olasky provides understanding why Suffrage was limited to the landed and its relatively enlightened position, it does not follow the thread to its conclusion. Only those with Suffrage will be protected by a Democracy. Protecting the Nation from the vote of the underclass (i.e. dependant) to protect the Nation from the upperclass was the same as setting wolves to guard the sheep. Examine the map for the Native American Nation to see how not having Suffrage worked out so well for them.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good review of uncovered history, February 10, 2004
If you buy into the premise that this nation was largly built on the idea of God given freedoms, then this book is an excellent review of one of the most world changing times in history. Olasky approaches the 18th Century from a religous perspective, and rightfully so. He spends considerable time addressing how the Enlightenment and Awakening impacted the early 18th Century, and how belief in God, be it Christian based or Deist, had a major impact on the inital direction of the country during and shortly after the Revolution. Some of the best material is later in the book when the author reviews commentary concerning the writing of the Constitution. Federalist vs. Articles of Confederation, Madison vs. Hamilton quotes reveal an almost comical, (perhaps depressing?) view on governance of today. You also get a good glimpse at how the expediency of "needing to get something done" perhaps sacraficed the quality and clarity of the Constitution. Contrary to other reviews I have read, Olasky does not claim this is a Christian country but rather a country based upon religious, albeit mostly Biblical, principles, and clearly draws the line before defining this country as Christian. In fact, he notes how many Christians supported the Constitution based solely because of the protection of religous freedom for fear of the non-Christian or, if it were to occur, a one-denomination Government suffocating the rest of Christianity. Hardly a perspective from those who supposedly believe we are all Christian, and I am speaking as one. Secondly, he spends considerable time on Madison who was the primary writer of the Constitution, and the various views of Jefferson, Hamilton, and Patrick Henry. He does spend time revealing the taudry lifestyle of Benjamin Franklin, but almost as a point of irony as opposed to scandal since he was one of the fathers who spent considerable time in both England and the U.S. Overall this is a very good read on aspects of this nation's history that for lack of direction, or perhaps lack of time, our general public education system seems to miss. I highly recommend it.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb look ordinarily omitted by historians, January 17, 2003
Marvin Olasky writes a superb history of the Americas and the motives of those who founded the nation. The book gives superfluous documentation of his ideas often written by those who experienced our Founder's ideas first hand (many articles and writings from the time are referenced). This very well written book discusses the majority of the great thinkers of our land's creation and their motives, cross-referencing outside influences that shaped their thought. Since this is written by a Christian writer, he focuses on virtue by way of religion. He covers many topics and debates that were prevalent of the times of which many still rage today. He exposes the corruption that the Fonding Fathers were afraid might creep into the new nation. And yes, he does expose many *well documented and proven* ideas and practices of one of our most well-thought-of men, Ben Franklin. Again showing well documented proof of his early aid to the British before the Revolution and his vast adulterous escapades while living in London and subsequent rewriting of the Book of Common Prayer. This is far from the focus of the book, though. An excellent read if you are interested in the motives behind the beginnings of the Rebellion, the Great Awakening/Enlightenment, and the creation of our first ruling documents, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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