This is a thrilling anthology on the core of the America idea, with writings by the truest and best poets on American history and its meaning.

It is edited by William Bonner and Pierre Lemieux with the goal of reminding us of the meaning of freedom itself, and making the point that freedom is the core idea. But what does freedom mean in its application? Is it something granted by government or something possessed and practiced as a matter of right by the people themselves?

Murray Rothbard writes on the history of Colonial America. Patrick Henry explains why liberty matter. Thomas Paine presents the essence of freedom. Lord Acton explains the principles of the American Revolution. There are other writings by James Madison, Alexis de Tocqueville, Hector St John Crevecoeur, Benjamin Franklin, H.L. Mencken, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, Henry David Thoreau, Valtairine de Cleyre, plus many critical documents in American history.

The collection is completed by one of the best but most neglected essays in the history of ideas: “Give Me Liberty” by Rose Wilder Lane.

William Bonner, widely regarded as among this generation’s best essayists on freedom in public life, writes the afterword. Congressman Dr. Ron Paul’s Review of The Idea of America:

“This excellent collection of essays addresses the fundamental political question of our time or any time: Is the state servant or master? The ongoing experiment known as America began with the very radical notion that the state should indeed be restrained rather than sovereign. This happy development in human history is the grand idea explored here.

“I highly recommend The Idea of America to anyone interested in the animating spirit of America’s origins. We hear from expected sources like Jefferson, Paine, and de Tocqueville, but also from modern radicals like Mencken, Rothbard, and Rose Wilder Lane. These excellent minds challenge the reader to rethink their attitudes about government, political economy, and human affairs generally. Statist complacency is no match for such rigorous thinking about the role and nature of government. After reading these essays, I think readers will find themselves both enlightened and angry about the state of our republic today.”

Jim Rogers, Author of Adventure Capitalist says:

“I hope everyone will read this to see why America became a great country – so we can keep it a great country.”

Dr. Richard Rahn, Senior Fellow at Cato Institute says:

“For two centuries, America existed as a unique and most successful country. Why America? William Bonner and Pierre Lemieux have answered that question by putting together a short compilation of the best historical essays and short documents that explain and express American exceptionalism. Those seeking an understanding of America, whether they are non-Americans or Americans with little understanding of American history, can do no better than to read this book.”

About the Authors

William Bonner is the founder, president, and driving force behind the highly successful consumer newsletter publishing company, Agora Publishing, Inc. He began Agora, Inc. in 1979 with an office in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, Agora has offices all over the world including London, Paris, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, and Nicaragua.

Mr. Bonner remains actively involved with the publication of over 50 newsletters and countless books that reflect his passion for savvy investing, adventurous travel, and good health. Mr. Bonner writes the wildly popular financial e-letter The Daily Reckoning (www.dailyreckoning.com), and has written three New York Times best-selling books: Financial Reckoning Day; Mobs, Messiahs and Markets and Empire of Debt.

Pierre Lemieux is an economist and author. His latest book is Somebody in Charge: A Solution for Recessions (New York: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2011). He is affiliated with the Department of Management Sciences at the University of Quebec in Outaouais, and with the Montreal Economic Institute where he is a Senior Fellow. He is also a Research Fellow at The Independent Institute (Oakland, California). He lives in Maine, maintains websites at pierrelemieux.org and pierrelemieux.com, and is often seen on Twitter (pierre_lemieux) and Facebook (PL@pierrelemieux.org).