The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

Walter Isaacson

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Paperback

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English

Simon & Schuster
01 January 2026

History; History of the Americas; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900; Colonialism & imperialism; National liberation & independence, post-colonialism; Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions

America’s bestselling biographer reveals the origins of the most revolutionary sentence in the Declaration of Independence, the one that defines who we are as Americans—and explains how it should shape our politics today.

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Walter Isaacson takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the creation of one of history’s most powerful sentences: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, this line lays the foundation for the American Dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation.

Isaacson unpacks its genius, word by word, illuminating the then-radical concepts behind it. Readers will gain a fresh appreciation for how it was drafted to inspire unity, equality, and the enduring promise of America. With clarity and insight, he reveals not just the power of these words but describes how, in these polarized times, we can use them to restore an appreciation for our common values.

By: Walter Isaacson
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 178mm, Width: 127mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 177g
ISBN: 9781982181314
ISBN 10: 1982181311
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 01 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Elon Musk, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.

Reviews for The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

“In Isaacson’s expert hands, those 35 words, and the ones that come after them, gain a new level of clarity and relevance, and inspire deepened appreciation.” * <i>Booklist</i> (starred review) * “A short, smart analysis of perhaps the most famous passage in American history reveals its potency and unfulfilled promise."" * <I>Kirkus Reviews</I> *