Our Declaration

Sets forth a bold thesis... Allen's passion for each of the Declaration's 1,337 words is admirable. -- Steven B. Smith This wise and rich book is what we need in these troubled times-a robust and persuasive defense of equality and liberty grounded in our national scripture. Danielle Allen is a towering political philosopher of the democratic art of being and a force for good! -- Cornel West, author of Democracy Matters: Winning the War on Imperialism Danielle Allen celebrates the Declaration of Independence by reading it closely-line by line, comma by comma-and invites her fellow citizens to do the same. The result is a richly rewarding book that demonstrates the pleasures of slow reading, the power of words to shape events, and the importance of equality to democratic life. -- Michael Sandel, author of What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets A primer on all that we have been missing... Not just an invaluable civics lesson but also a poignant personal memoir... Allen is an evangelist for this romantic moment in American history when men of uncommon vision and political deftness stated their case and listed their grievances against the most powerful nation on Earth. -- Thane Rosenbaum An astounding new book that should reinvigorate public understanding of the founding document of the United States... Reading Ms. Allen makes reading the Declaration meaningful and enjoyable-a powerful enough lesson in its own right. -- Sarah J. Purcell