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The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America
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Original price was: $28.99.$17.99Current price is: $17.99.
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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.
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The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America
Price:
Original price was: $28.99.$17.99Current price is: $17.99.
Frank –
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.
Joseph May –
Well researched, cited and written authoritatively. The understandings and context of the day back then were quite different, leading to a differing interpretation of Founding Fathers wrote. Also, their hypocrisy wanting to end international slavery while keeping domestic slavery intact. 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 population at a time.
djf –
Hard to put down – every page is quotable – so appropriate for what is presently going on in america – our imperfect founders warn us we can’t have democracy without virtue!
Tracy Brotherton –
Fascinating, well written and researched. I’m reading it slowly because there’s a lot to ponder. The world would be a far better place if the current pursuit of happiness was similar to the way character and virtue was considered by classical writers and those who founded our country. I’m enjoying the biographical information and making changes to the way I think and live. Tracy Brotherton
Ed Morrison –
This marvelous book orients us to the values that guided the Founders of our country.
In clear, concise writing, Rosen takes us on a journey from the late 18th century to the current day. You will walk away with a deeper sense of the challenges we face in the years ahead, if we are to continue our experiment in democracy.
Masterful.
Colleen –
The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen is a fascinating and thought-provoking deep dive into a subject that is often misused and or even misunderstood.
Mr. Rosen presents an interesting investigation into some of our Founding Fathers and their quest for all of us in the Pursuit of Happiness. Their search for the Pursuit of Happiness was not to be happy in the short term themselves but the pursuits that lead doing good for others, more of a spiritual nature than immediate personal gratification. These men read the Bible, and writings that can be traced back to ancient Roman and Greek thinkers. Rosen after much research details how these thoughts, and ideas influenced our Founding Fathers.
It would appear that the Pursuit of Happiness is also tied to virtue, meaning behavior showing high moral standards, a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person. I think many of us want our children to be inspired by teachers, people of authority and therefore they themselves are inspired to good and be good people.
I was impressed by the depth of the information, and insightful manner was presented that gave me pause on what I believed the phrase to mean. The Constitution is a written document that is often misused to justify rights and freedoms. But in a time where the founding fathers thought and spoke differently, we cannot take the words used in a literal meaning. There is a broader and deeper meaning for the chosen words than we non-scholars understand.
tabebooks –
After hearing the author in an interview on NPR, I immediately ordered a copy via Amazon. Only a couple chapters in, and I am looking forward to more! Very well written, engaging, well researched, and provocative. Setting to task my own pursuit of happiness following the virtues. Highly recommend!
Ann L. –
Cicero, Seneca, Hume. Curious as to HOW MANY voters even know who these giants were. They were THINKERS. And our founding Fathers studied what they had to say. Little wonder our current government SUCKS! Most are total dimwits.