May History Bk Club - "First Principles" by Thomas E Ricks

In May, we join in the buildup to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How that Shaped Our Country by Thomas E Ricks- a book that explores what the Founders learned from Greek and Roman philosophy:

"The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author offers a revelatory new book about the founding fathers, examining their educations and, in particular, their devotion to the ancient Greek and Roman classics—and how that influence would shape their ideals and the new American nation. First Principles follows these four members of the Revolutionary generation [Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison] from their youths to their adult lives, as they grappled with questions of independence, and forming and keeping a new nation. In doing so, Ricks interprets not only the effect of the ancient world on each man, and how that shaped our constitution and government, but offers startling new insights into these legendary leaders."

Please remember that this is, first and foremost, a book club. Like any local book club, the point is discussion about a shared experience - reading a book! It is not a lecture series. So as usual, get a copy of the book, read it and then join us for another interesting discussion. We continue to meet virtually because so many of our members now join us from locations outside the D.C area.

A zoom link to the discussion will be sent a day before the meeting.