Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence

Timothy Sandefur’s engaging narrative brings to life the “American mind” of those extraordinary Founders—their arguments, ideals, and enduring beliefs in natural rights and self-government, all of which coalesced in the Declaration of Independence.

Sweeping from the English Civil War and the writings of Locke and Montesquieu to the colonial battles over the Stamp and Townshend acts, Sandefur’s fast-paced narrative shows how the Declaration distilled centuries of debate about freedom, law, and human nature into one of history’s most enduring statements of justice. Blending biography, political thought, and legal history—from Cicero and Clarence Thomas to Tacitus and Ta-Nehisi Coates—Proclaiming Liberty traces the Declaration’s legacy through the abolitionist movement, the Civil War, and the modern age, documenting how its principles have continued to challenge tyranny, refute relativism, and inspire movements for justice.

As America marks a quarter millennium of independence, Proclaiming Liberty reminds us that the promise of 1776 remains both timeless and urgent, and that freedom is not a historical accident but the birthright of every human being. The Declaration provided the means to ensure that all people can enjoy their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. On his deathbed, John Adams offered a toast: “Independence forever!” Proclaiming Liberty shows why those are words all Americans should live by.