Though America is great, she is not perfect as people are imperfect. While I agree with many of the arguments that Skousen made in his book, he is not flawless. A few of these principles include: Natural Law, Morality based on Judeo-Christian values, Equality under the law and in the eyes of God right to defense and property and the necessity of them both limited powers and freedom of people the burden of debt and the need for a strong family.

The author frequently comments on the fact that our nation, especially our governing body, has strayed from these founding principles. Each of these ideas built upon the others to make our nation what is it, or perhaps what it is supposed to be. These ideas, or founding principles, vary in nature but are unified in purpose. Not enough people read what our Founders wrote, if they even read our founding documents! Though Americans should read the actual texts, this book does a decent job summarizing their ideas. Even so, they aid the modern reader trying to understand why and what the Founders did. These are decent for reference, but it may seem tedious to those who are not accustomed to reading chucks of original text from the founding era. Nearly every page has a quote by a founder, and if not a founder then one who praised, criticized, or led America. Skousen’s ideas are nothing new to those who know history, but they are conveniently placed into a singular book that is decent for reference. The 28 chapters which comprise the meat of the book are titled by principles that Skousen believes built and energized what is often called the Great Experiment. The actual first part establishes the foundation for the book, including the Founders’ basis in Judeo-Christian values, Anglo-Saxon law, the three branches of government, and the influences of certain Enlightenment thinking.

The first small section of the book, just over thirty pages, is full of forwards, praise, and reasons for the book in addition to the actual introduction. Skousen’s book is divided into what might be called three parts.

Publisher: National Center for Constitutional Studiesįor a book that has incurred quite a bit of hostility and derision, The 5000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen is discerning, non-aggressive, simple, and direct in its explanation of the Founders’ ideas for forming the United States.

Book the 5000 year leap