A review of Mark David Ledbetter’s “America’s Forgotten History, Part 1: Foundations”

This book is a well written and exciting history of the early days of the American Experiment. The book provides a detailed examination of the contrasting principles of the American Colonial life. Long before the Civil War (touched on in his second book of the series) there were deep tensions between the “Puritan North” and the “Cavalier South.” These competing philosophies have had a direct impact on the American people and governing principles to this day.

Mr. Ledbetter shows the impact of mercantilism on freedom and other interventions by government into personal liberties. He explains how these government involvements lead to the Boston Tea Party. I was not fully aware of the broad impact of mercantilism until after reading this work. In short, this book made me revisit my thoughts on this and other issues of American principles.

There is an insightful examination as to how the principled men of the revolution amended their views of American freedoms and liberty after they were given the reigns of leadership. Also how, in the infancy of our republic, the states continued to resist Federal intrusion into individual freedoms and state affairs.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants a detailed, but spirited, examination of early American principles and the almost immediate stressors placed on them.

This book is available in e-book and print form.
ISBN 978-1-4116-2893-9