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The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America Hardcover – February 13, 2024

by Jeffrey Rosen (Author)

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A New York Times bestseller and an “enriching…brilliant” (David W. Blight, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Frederick Douglass) examination of what “the pursuit of happiness” meant to our nation’s Founders and how that famous phrase defined their lives and became the foundation of our democracy.

The Declaration of Independence identified “the pursuit of happiness” as one of our unalienable rights, along with life and liberty. Jeffrey Rosen, the president of the National Constitution Center, profiles six of the most influential founders—Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton—to show what pursuing happiness meant in their lives, and to give us the “best and most readable introduction to the ideas of the Founders that we have” (Gordon Wood, author of Power and Liberty).

By reading the classical Greek and Roman moral philosophers who inspired the Founders, Rosen shows us how they understood the pursuit of happiness as a quest for being good, not feeling good—the pursuit of lifelong virtue, not short-term pleasure. Among those virtues were the habits of industry, temperance, moderation, and sincerity, which the Founders viewed as part of a daily struggle for self-improvement, character development, and calm self-mastery. They believed that political self-government required personal self-government. For all six Founders, the pursuit of virtue was incompatible with enslavement of African Americans, although the Virginians betrayed their own principles.

“Immensely readable and thoughtful” (Ken Burns), The Pursuit of Happiness is more than an elucidation of the Declaration’s famous phrase; it is a revelatory journey into the minds of the Founders, and a deep, rich, and fresh understanding of the foundation of our democracy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With insight and wit, legal scholar Rosen shows how classical philosophy inspired the Founders. . . . Rosen's noteworthy book offers a better understanding of philosophy and American history." ― Booklist

"[A] fast-paced romp through early American political thought. . . . An entertaining window on the American founders’ reading lives." ― Publishers Weekly

"A study of the Founding Fathers’ search for self-mastery. . . . In their distinguishing between being good from feeling good, the founders, Rosen hopes, may inspire readers to redefine the meaning of a good life. A thoughtful rendering of America’s history." ― Kirkus Reviews

“Jeffrey Rosen found a ‘gap’ in his education, such as we all have. In filling it he has written a masterpiece of intellectual history about the Founders, renewing, we can hope, our reading of them and what they read. Here is the enriching story of how ‘pursuit of happiness’ never meant pleasure or success, but the self-governing quest, always unachieved, of virtue. This brilliant work is very new about very old ideas that refresh the spirit.” -- David W. Blight, Yale University, author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

“To understand who we are, we must begin at the beginning—which is precisely what Jeffrey Rosen does in this remarkable and timely book. By exploring how the American Founders viewed virtue and the fabled (and often misunderstood) ‘pursuit of happiness,’ Rosen offers us a much-needed reminder of the centrality of civic and personal virtue.” -- Jon Meacham, author of And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

“Using the classical virtues prescribed by Benjamin Franklin as a way of organizing his book, Jeffrey Rosen has put together a remarkable collection of fresh and insightful essays on the Founders. Indeed, his book may be the best and most readable introduction to the ideas of the Founders that we have.” -- Gordon Wood, author of Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution

“A delightful, insightful reminder of a truth obvious to the Founders but forgotten by subsequent generations of Americans: that personal happiness and the health of the republic depend on virtue, which in turn requires regular cultivation. Read this timely book for your own benefit and the good of us all.” -- H.W. Brands, author of Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics

“Jeffrey Rosen’s immensely readable and thoughtful book on America’s founders makes a strong case that a life invested in understanding the past may in fact be a happier one. There are lessons here for preserving our democracy today.” -- Ken Burns, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker of The American Revolution

"The Founders had no internet to educate them, but they did have advice books, contemporary and ancient. Jeffrey Rosen guides us through them to see what the Founders meant by happiness, and how they hoped to secure it. And, he suggests, we could do the same today." -- Richard Brookhiser, author of Give Me Liberty: A History of America's Exceptional Idea

About the Author

Jeffrey Rosen is President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts We the People, a weekly podcast of constitutional debate. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor at The Atlantic. Rosen is a graduate of Harvard College, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. He is the author of nine books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Pursuit of Happiness and Conversations with RBG. His essays and commentaries have appeared in The New York Times Magazine; on NPR; in The New Republic, where he was the legal affairs editor; and in The New Yorker, where he has been a staff writer.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 13, 2024
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668002477
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1668002476
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #26,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in American Revolution Biographies (Books)
- #24 in U.S. Revolution & Founding History
- #238 in World History (Books)
Customer Reviews:
267 ratings

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267 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and well-researched, with one review noting it serves as a fitting guide through American constitutional history. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, and customers appreciate its educational value, with one mentioning it offers key insights for all ages. Additionally, the book provides an appreciation of the Founding Fathers. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it engaging while others find it tedious.

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Readability Realism Writing style Education value Relevance Pacing

15 customers mention "Readability"14 positive1 negative

Customers find the book readable and fascinating, describing it as an excellent treatise.

"Disk 6 does not work. I've thoroughly enjoyed this book. The content is great. The narator is very good...." Read more

"This marvelous book orients us to the values that guided the Founders of our country...." Read more

"Incredible book!" Read more

"Outstanding book!..." Read more

10 customers mention "Realism"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's well-researched approach and detailed content, with one customer noting it serves as a fitting guide through American constitutional history.

"Fascinating, well written and researched. I'm reading it slowly because there's a lot to ponder...." Read more

"...Very well written, engaging, well researched, and provocative. Setting to task my own pursuit of happiness following the virtues. Highly recommend!" Read more

"Well researched, cited and written authoritatively...." Read more

"More intricate read than I though, but good and thorough." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book.

"Outstanding book! I am not a history person, but this book is so well written that you can't help but stop and ponder the brilliance of our founding..." Read more

"...In clear, concise writing, Rosen takes us on a journey from the late 18th century to the current day...." Read more

"...Only a couple chapters in, and I am looking forward to more! Very well written, engaging, well researched, and provocative...." Read more

"Well researched, cited and written authoritatively...." Read more

6 customers mention "Education value"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book educational, with one noting its promotion of education for all, while others describe it as eye-opening and insightful.

"An enjoyable and educational read. I purchased both the audio and the hard cover, and I’m on my third read...." Read more

"...This book is eye opening and gives an appreciation of our Founding Fathers as people trying to create a better citizenry--albeit, one segment of the..." Read more

"...Intriguing, insightful, and impeccably timed, Rosen's latest offering is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the enduring relevance..." Read more

"Healing for our world and hope for our future? It starts with the individual’s cultivation of virtue. We absolutely can do better...." Read more

5 customers mention "Relevance"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relevant and appreciate how it provides insight into the Founding Fathers, with one customer noting how it reflects their brilliance and humanity.

"...though, in spite of the flaws, the subject of the book is of such importance and relevance that I would recommend it and even suggest it should be..." Read more

"...This book is eye opening and gives an appreciation of our Founding Fathers as people trying to create a better citizenry--albeit, one segment of the..." Read more

"...so well written that you can't help but stop and ponder the brilliance of our founding fathers and desiring to pause and reflect their brilliance..." Read more

"...Rosen's latest book arrives with impeccable timing, offering a cultural retrospective just as America approaches its quadrennial referendum in..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"2 positive1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it engaging while others describe it as tedious.

"...Very well written, engaging, well researched, and provocative. Setting to task my own pursuit of happiness following the virtues. Highly recommend!" Read more

"Boring and tedious..." Read more

"...The style is natural and engaging. This is key insight for any age, but it is especially relevant for today. 9/10" Read more

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Frank
Frank Martin: A Decade of Delusions
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase

Jeffrey Rosen's latest book arrives with impeccable timing, offering a cultural retrospective just as America approaches its quadrennial referendum in November. As the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Rosen's credentials speak volumes, making him a fitting guide through the labyrinth of American constitutional history.
In these tumultuous times, where public discourse is often drowned out by the clamor of television and social media, Rosen's decision to delve into the world of books is a refreshing change. He recognizes the importance of revisiting the foundations of our democracy, understanding that the framers of the Constitution existed in an era devoid of the distractions we face today.
Through profiles of luminaries such as Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Rosen paints a vivid picture of an age where enlightenment was sought not through entertainment but through intellectual rigor and moral reflection. Their pursuit of happiness was not merely about fleeting pleasures but about the cultivation of virtue and the common good.
Rosen's book serves as a timely reminder of these timeless ideals, offering a condensed history of classic thought on what it truly means to be American. As we stand on the cusp of another pivotal moment in our nation's history, "The Pursuit of Happiness" invites us to reflect on the values that have shaped our collective identity and to consider how we can uphold them in the face of modern challenges.
Intriguing, insightful, and impeccably timed, Rosen's latest offering is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the enduring relevance of America's founding principles in today's world.

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45 people found this helpful

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N. Kline
Enjoyable and Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
An enjoyable and educational read. I purchased both the audio and the hard cover, and I’m on my third read. It inspires me to return to my study of philosophy as a companion to the daily struggle for moral development and thriving as a life-long learner. I am organizing leader development programs at work using this as a primary text. (I found a few mistakes (Rosen is neither a formal philosopher nor a theologian—so he gets a pass from me.) The style is natural and engaging. This is key insight for any age, but it is especially relevant for today. 9/10

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3 people found this helpful

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Momof2
Brillant Writer - A Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Outstanding book! I am not a history person, but this book is so well written that you can't help but stop and ponder the brilliance of our founding fathers and desiring to pause and reflect their brilliance and humanity. I highly recommend!!!

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4 people found this helpful

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TuesdayReads
Should be required reading (if you can filter out a few flaws)
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book covers an essential topic, one that every citizen should familiarize themselves with -- that topic being: what exactly is meant by "happiness", when we talk about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Crucially, it's not about a right to pursue pleasure or what makes us feel good. It's about the right to pursue a life of virtue; in other words -- "being good", not feeling good. That right was defined by our Founders, the authors of our government and the creators of our cultural standards. Jeffrey Rosen doesn't just make a case for this, he definitively demonstrates it by presenting the material the Founders studied, referenced, and cited in their own letters and documents, which influenced and formed their views on happiness, as defined by the ancients in terms of virtue brought about by self-discipline.
Rosen makes what could be a dry topic eminently readable by focusing on just one or two Founders per chapter (he also includes a few Founding-era women, such as Abigail Adams and Phyllis Wheatley, and a couple of later historical figures), and by not only citing sources but taking a deep dive into those sources, primarily the writings of ancient philosophers.
In terms of the historical figures spotlighted in each chapter, Rosen starts with the most influential, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, whose concepts of virtue and whose reading lists markedly impacted everything they did, and thus impacted our government, our nation, and our cultural norms.
I had to knock off one star, though, because -- like almost every contemporary author writing about history -- Rosen can't resist weaving his personal opinions into his writing. This editorializing is not identified as such when you're reading, so you will need to have your "personal opinion alert!" filter on in order to differentiate between the factual evidence he presents and his own values and opinions. One should not walk away from reading a book of nonfiction history with a sense that one can tell which historical figure the author "likes" or "dislikes", but I can definitely tell that Rosen is not a Thomas Jefferson fan. (And, as it so happens, TJ is my favorite Founding Father . . . so sorry, Mr. Rosen!)
Also, I found the thematic titles of each chapter somewhat confusing. Each chapter is named for a specific virtue that, I assume, the Founder profiled within the chapter is supposed to embody. But I seldom saw anything in the chapter that explicitly referenced the virtue or linked it to the Founder highlighted within the chapter.
All told, though, in spite of the flaws, the subject of the book is of such importance and relevance that I would recommend it and even suggest it should be on "required reading" lists. We would do well as a nation and as individuals to get back to these ideals and principles of striving to live a life of virtue. Of course, the Founders didn't entirely live up to these ideals, just as we don't today, but that does not in any way detract from the necessity of holding up these ideals as our ultimate goal. We are imperfect (as were they), but we can strive every day to be better, just as they did.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Frank Martin: A Decade of Delusions

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and Inspiring

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant Writer - A Great Read!

4.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading (if you can filter out a few flaws)

Frank Martin: A Decade of Delusions

Enjoyable and Inspiring

Brillant Writer - A Great Read!

Should be required reading (if you can filter out a few flaws)