by PAULINE MAIER



Editorial Reviews

This is a well-written, well-researched, entertaining account of the
creation of the United States' Declaration of Independence as well as an
analysis of how the declaration has been enshrined as something of a
sacred document (a place it did not always hold). Pauline Maier, a history
professor at MIT, will no doubt surprise many readers with detective work
demonstrating that Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was actually
preceded by many local declarations, which have been generally overlooked
by historians but which were published throughout the colonies and were
well known in their day. American Scripture holds many surprises as it
details Jefferson's drafting of the document, the editing process, and the
varying regard with which the Declaration of Independence has been held in
the past two centuries.

From Library Journal
Maier (American history, MIT; From Resistance to Revolution, LJ 7/72) sets
the stage for her fascinating history of the Declaration of Independence
with a concise and well-written introduction into the political background
of the American Revolution. She provides the context for the document
within the British tradition of declarations, addresses, and petitions and
relates it to the many local and state declarations that aimed to mobilize
support for independence. The thrust of her work is a careful examination
of the drafting of the document by Jefferson and the Congressional
committee; she then describes how Congress edited it into its final form.
The latter third of the book is dedicated to the ways in which the
Declaration has been redefined and used by different groups of Americans.
Combining meticulous scholarship with clear prose, Maier tells a
compelling story that will succeed in winning her a general audience.
Highly recommended.

Product Details

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Vintage (May 26, 1998)
ISBN: 0679779086