The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson called the Declaration of Independence "an expression of the American mind." Not merely a document, the Declaration is the common creed of our civic life, and it inspires the shared poetry of our political soul.

In The Making of the American Mind, best-selling author Matthew Spalding presents the dynamic story of the band of patriots who united to declare independence from--and declare war against--the most powerful nation in the world. He recounts the whirlwind of historic events that led up to the momentous political and strategic decisions of July 1776: from George Washington leading a new and untested army, to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson advocating independence in a divided Continental Congress, to George III forging an absolute tyranny over "the good People of these Colonies."

In this unique commentary, Spalding recovers the deep roots of the Declaration of Independence by examining the influence of the Greeks and Romans, the Christian West, and the English constitutional tradition on the American mind. Reading through the Declaration clause by clause, he explores the rich history and profound significance of the document's powerful language and arguments--from the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God," "all men are created equal," and the "pursuit of happiness" to "prudence will dictate" and "abuses and usurpations." Based on extensive, original research, the work presents in vivid detail the heroic deeds of those who pledged "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor" to support the Declaration.

America cannot be appreciated without an understanding of the Declaration of Independence. Spalding's dramatic retelling and thorough explanation of the Declaration's making and meaning will capture the heart and instruct the mind of every reader.

Author: Matthew Spalding
Publisher: Encounter Books
Published: 12/09/2025
Pages: 344
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.50lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9781641774871

About the Author
Spalding, Matthew: - Matthew Spalding is the Kirby Professor in Constitutional Government and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College and oversees the Allan P. Kirby Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship at Hillsdale's Washington, D.C. campus.



Spalding is the best-selling author of We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future and the original executive editor of The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, the first line-by-line analysis of each clause of the U.S. Constitution. Appointed executive director of the President's Advisory 1776 Commission, which produced The 1776 Report, he is currently a senior academic advisor for America250 projects.



Prior to joining Hillsdale, Spalding was vice president for American Studies at The Heritage Foundation and founding director of its B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics. He is a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy and serves on the boards of The Steamboat Institute, Faith & Law, and New College of Florida.



He received his BA from Claremont McKenna College and his MA and PhD from the Claremont Graduate School.