Book Review – Written out of history: The forgotten founders who fought big government

Patriot founders of state’s rights forgotten, author says “We think of the Founding Fathers of the United States in terms of certain glorious characters: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Adams.

They were the winners in that great struggle to invent a new form of government. The losers, perhaps more colorful, have largely been forgotten.”

That is the premise of the new book by Senator Mike Lee of Utah called “Written out of history: The forgotten founders who fought big government.”

It’s hard to deny that the eight figures profiled in Lee’s book are little known today or, if known at all, are not remembered for their antipathy for and struggle against a huge federal bureaucracy.

They are an interesting bunch. Among them:

* Aaron Burr: Lee asks, Do you know him only as the villain in the Alexander Hamilton affair? If so, you missed his colossal struggle against presidential power.

* Luther Martin: A drinker and much disliked at the Constitutional Convention, he argued for transparency in government.

* Mercy Otis Warren: A modern woman in colonial times, she was highly educated and fought against the presidency becoming monarchial.

* Canasatego: An Iroquois chief whose lessons in federalism shaped the thinking of Ben Franklin.

* Mum Bett: A slave who led the way against slavery in Massachusetts suing for her freedom.

This is a lively exploration of little-known people and themes of the post-revolution era.
It is a must-read for those who disdain the tremendous growth of government and bureaucracy. They will find inspiration here.

Written out of history: The forgotten founders who fought big government, by Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah. 248 pages. Penguin.