Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence

By Timothy Sandefur

An exploration of the ideas of Adams, Jefferson, and other founding fathers as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

In July 1776, revolutionary leaders in Philadelphia took the bold step of announcing their nation's independence. But they did not merely sever ties with Great Britain. The American founding fathers also proclaimed the principles which justified their cause--principles which have inspired generations of people worldwide to champion the cause of freedom.

But today, as Americans prepare to honor the 250th anniversary of their country's birth, recent generations have witnessed a growing skepticism and even hostility toward the American Founders. In Proclaiming Liberty, Timothy Sandefur shows why these views are unjust. The Declaration was, as Abraham Lincoln said, more than a "merely revolutionary document." It was and remains a charter of freedom for all mankind. Readers will return to the summer of 1776 to explore why Americans are right to revere the Declaration and to celebrate its authors as champions of liberty.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 196928403X
• ISBN13: 9781969284038
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Cato Institute
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.59 lbs.