"The Roots of American Order"

Book Review # 116174

History > Greek and Roman
History > Middle Eastern
History > U.S. Birth of the Nation 1750-1800

A review of Russell Kirk's 1974 "The Roots of American Order".

1,060 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2009 | United States

Published on: Aug 31, 2009

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how Russell Kirk's "The Roots of American Order" takes readers back to Jerusalem, Athens, Rome and London to explain what makes up the country of America. The paper discusses Kirk's concern that America in his day was "straying from its roots". The paper believes that the book should be mandatory reading for every American, as it so beautifully tells the story of from where America's laws, customs, beliefs and freedoms originated.

From the Paper:

"Russell Kirk's 1974 "The Roots of American Order" has been touted as "unsurpassable," "exactly what people need to read," "destined for distinctive status," and "an impressive affirmation of faith." Kirk takes readers back to Jerusalem and then works his way forward through Athens, Rome and London to get to Philadelphia explaining essentially what makes up this great country. He does this in a patient, methodical way explaining where America's laws, customs, beliefs and freedoms originated from."

Sample of Sources Used:

Folsom, Dr. Burton W., "One of the Century's Major Books," August 3, 1999. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. http://www.mackinac.org/article
Kirk, Russell, "The Roots of American Order," 1974, Intercollegiate Studies Inst; 4th Edition ISI Books April 2004 http://www.isi.org/books/bookdetail
Fallon, Joseph, "Roots of American Order; A Book Review," The Social Contract, Winter Issue 1995-96, http://www.thesocialcontract.com
Bardallis, David, "Michigan's Russell Kirk and the Roots of Liberty," August 4, 1999, Mackinac Center for Public Policy. http://www.mackinac.org/article