Larry Arnn’s The Founder’s Key, though at times difficult to read, is an excellent primer on the historical connection between The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. This is necessary because of attacks on the primacy of the Constitution by those who would wish certain elements of it away by calling on the spirit of the Declaration.
Arnn backs up his research by providing the texts of both historical documents along with the relevant Federalist Papers that solidify his case for unity. Arnn is the President of Hillsdale College, my alma mater, but arrived to that prestigious campus after I left in 1992. I have heard him speak a few times and have been impressed with his lucid thought, though sometimes I found him more difficult to read because the subject matter is more technical than poetic. However, Arnn does his best to use metaphor and allegory to illustrate his points when apropos.
The subject matter may not interest most people, but if you like history or care for our country’s public policy as it intersects with constitutional issues then you’ll want to pick up this gem.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Blogging for Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
