Among the most remarkable facts about the Founding Fathers, though little discussed, is how much John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and the others read. They belonged to what I call “the culture of reading,” men of books.
What did they read? The Bible, of course; Roman writers like Cicero and Livy; Greek philosopher Plutarch; Italian Renaissance poets; and then there were the writers of the Enlightenment, the writers of common knowledge. If we talk about which Enlightenment writers the Founders read, the names of John Locke, Adam Smith, and David Hume, to name a few, recur. How many of us, however, know that John Adams’s favorite story was the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast”? Or that Jefferson read and reread Sterne’s “Tristram Shandy” throughout his life, while George Washington was fond of Smollett’s “Humphry Clinker”?

A Healthy Republic Is Built By Leaders Who Read Widely, Routinely, And Regularly

CONTINUE READING

An Interview With Klavan: Crime Novels, Writing Habits, And Why Reading Dostoevsky ‘Was Like A Map Of My Psyche’

A Mysterious Suicide Lures Ex-Spy And English Professor Cameron Winter Back Into Action

Here’s Why I Still Love The Start Of A New School Year

Charlie Kirk: You Don’t Need College To Become Educated

Summertime And The Reading Is Easy: 20 Writers Worth Diving Into

Free Speech On College Campuses May No Longer Be Free

Opinion

Books

Founding Fathers

Readers Pass

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Opinion —

A Healthy Republic Is Built By Leaders Who Read Widely, Routinely, And Regularly