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Book Review of First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from …

Review of First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans by Thomas Ricks

When I first picked up Thomas Ricks’ First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans, I was intrigued by the promise of delving into how classical thinkers influenced the shaping of America. With a title so weighty, it felt like an invitation to explore the intellectual underpinnings of our nation. Yet, as I navigated the pages, what began as an enlightening journey veered into murky waters, revealing a mission not purely academic but rather deeply personal and politically charged.

At its core, Ricks embarks on a quest prompted by the tumultuous aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. He poses urgent questions about the identity and intentions of a nation at a crossroads. The backdrop of national division provides a compelling lens through which he revisits the foundational principles laid out by the nation’s founders, pointing to figures like Washington, Jefferson, and Madison. However, Ricks’ reflections often feel less like a discussion of their admiration for classical thought and more like a critique of contemporary America—reflected in his clear disdain for Donald Trump and his supporters.

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As I journeyed through the book, I found Ricks’ writing style engaging, peppered with personal anecdotes that invite reflection. Still, the narrative often stumbles over its own contradictions. Ricks makes tenuous connections between ancient philosophies and the actions of the founders that, while interesting, frequently felt forced. Take his attempts to align George Washington’s agricultural pursuits with Cicero’s musings on farming; it left me wondering if Ricks was stretching for a parallel that simply wasn’t there.

What struck me the most were Ricks’ repeated speculative phrases—“one can only wonder”—that seemed to echo through sections of the book like a refrain, leading to an impression that the connections he sought might not hold the depth he anticipated. This ongoing speculation detracted from a robust analysis of how classical thought genuinely shaped American ideals.

Ricks’ discourse on contemporary issues, particularly the implications of slavery and civil rights, is where he seems most passionately engaged. He aptly illustrates how the founders grappled with these complex themes, although sometimes at the expense of providing an unvarnished view of their realities. His summation of Charles Sumner’s notorious speech against slavery felt skewed, lacking crucial context that would deepen the reader’s understanding of the enormity of that moment.

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In closing, while First Principles started with a spark of promise, it ultimately left me yearning for a more profound exploration of its title. Ricks’ perspective may resonate with readers who share his political views, but for those seeking a historical treatise on the classical influences on American principles, it may fall short.

I would recommend this book to those who are politically inclined and engaged in the current discourse about America’s identity. If you, like me, hoped for a straightforward examination of ancient influences on the founders, you might find yourself feeling as though the book overpromises and underwhelms. Nevertheless, it has certainly prompted me to reflect on how we understand our history and, perhaps more importantly, on how it continues to shape our collective narrative today.

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