Review: First Principles by Thomas E. Ricks

Ricks, Thomas E. First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country. Harpers, 2020. 

While reading Tracy Lee Simmons' book Climbing Parnassus I learned that the first four Presidents of the U.S. were educated in the classics or were heavily influenced by the classical authors.  Simmons wrote most often about Thomas Jefferson. I wanted to learn more about the education that our Founding Fathers received and how it impacted their creation and development of the new American government. 

Motivated by the surprise win of the 45th President, Ricks wanted to learn more about the country's founders. Specifically, he wanted to learn about their education and how it impacted their vision for a new America. George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson were indeed impacted by their reading and knowledge of Ancient Rome and Greece. Adams, Madison, and Jefferson read Latin.  Washington did not read Latin but read what he could in translation.  All four were impacted also by Addison's play entitled Cato.  And all four had read and were impacted to differing degrees by Edward Gibbon's "The History of the Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire" which had just been published. 

Ricks does not disappoint as he takes the reader through an orientation of what the classics meant in 18th century America compared to now. Ricks shows the impact of Greek and Roman authors, their visions of government, and their different understandings of a republic and democracy.  I found all of his insights useful for enhancing my limited awareness of our founding fathers and the development of our government.  

Ricks also shows how America and its leaders changed over time.  Classical education ceased to be a concern amongst the majority of Americans. Electing classically educated leaders ceased to be a concern as well.  Within decades, American pragmatism and self-interest became the electable criteria. 

Ricks writes with a 21st century sensibility and issues 21st century judgments upon his subjects.  He addresses Native Americans as First Peoples. He is appalled by the nation's first leaders lack of energy in addressing the immorality of slavery. He also issues comments about the lack of female leadership and offers comments regarding LGBTQ concerns.

The Epilogue is titled: What We Can Do. He offers 10 suggestions about how America can change course if she so desires.  These are common sense suggestions that include Don't Panic, Curtail Campaign Finance, Promote Virtue in Public Life, etc.  What is lacking though is a sympathetic treatment of what moved the electorate to choose the 45th President.  A few pages addressing the frustrations of the electorate and the appeal of the man who would become president would have balanced out some of his comments. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned lots.  I am particular helped by the many sources that he cites.  Many of which are available to anyone with an Internet connection.  Particularly useful is Founders Online.