The 56: Liberty Lessons From Those Who Risked All to Sign The Declaration of Independence

by Douglas MacKinnon

Read why the historical account of the 56 Signers of The Declaration of Independence and the story behind the 4th of July are so critically important… before they and the 4th of July are banned from American society .

The urgent need to honor the 56 Signers of The Declaration of Independence came to Douglas MacKinnon, fittingly enough, on the 4th of July .

While doing research for a column meant to remind the American people of that date’s critical importance, he came across example after example of those from the Left and the Far-Left––be they in the mainstream media, activists, or anarchists––calling for not only the “canceling” of the 4th of July, but the continued smearing, censorship, and canceling of our Founding Fathers .

One overriding thought then filled his

“What if they are successful?”

Those who believe such totalitarian censorship could never come to be in the United States of America , need only review how quickly and brutally many on the Left were able to create the “Woke Cancel Culture” to silence those they oppose today.

Now they come for Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin and others who courageously signed The Declaration of Independence.

That document and those men created our history. History which should never be bent, twisted, censored, or banned to fit any ideological narrative. If it is good, let us praise it. If it is bad, let us condemn it and learn from it. But let us never twist, censor, or cancel it.

And yet, more and more followers of the Left want to do just that. As they control the media, academia, entertainment, science, and medicine…who is to stop them?

Time is of the essence. We must find our voices. The 56 left the Liberty.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2022

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: (1) Those who fear and distrust the people and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.
(2) Those who identify with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe. . . .In every country these two parties exist; and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. ~ Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Richard Henry Lee around 1824

Our understanding of the Founding Fathers is essential to the governing of this nation. If we do not understand what they did to make our country great, we cannot continue to keep our republic the shining city on a hill it has been. Each one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence has a short bio in this book. They were diverse in economic backgrounds, education, place of birth, and occupation. What they had in common was a deep aversion to the rule of the British and a passion to separate from Great Britain to form our own republic. I learned some really interesting facts about those men and recommend this book as a resource. The next time you are going to the ballot box, keep in mind the above quote from Thomas Jefferson. What kind of leaders do we want?

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would've preferred it without all the snarky commentary but loved the parts that were about our history.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. There were a lot of names I had not heard of before which makes me question how the quality of the education I received. Each signer had his own chapter which was between 4 to 10 minutes long. It was a great overview of all the signers and it peaked my interest in learning about them. Lots of information and sometimes a bit overwhelming but it makes me want to seek out more information about each of the signers. Definitely well researched and very interesting.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this one for the fact that there’s not a lot out there for some of the signers. So this is a great quick one to learn about some of them. I may not agree with everything he says in prologue but it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

Favorite quote:

“The only real security that you can have for all your important rights must be in the nature of your government. If you suffer any man to govern you who is not strongly interested in supporting your privileges, you will certainly lose them.”

Roger Sherman

[Melody Hapner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this book through a radio program. I was excited to read a little history on each of the signers. There is too much focus on the issues of today, especially with regard to liberal ideology. I picked up this book because I wanted well-researched history, and while it is there, it's also bogged down by the constant references to issues with liberal agendas. Let this history and the actions of these men do the speaking. You don't have to do it.

Also, I really disliked the use of different fonts for certain words. It was unnecessarily distracting.

[Tanna Hanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and inspiring

MacKinnon provides fascinating education and insight into men who laid all they had on the line for forming this new nation. It's so easy for those who never learned the history, true history, of our nation and what's behind the true exceptionalism that has rescued so many from tyranny over the years.

[Jazzydragon15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just got done listening to this book for a class and it’s very informative of the signers and a pretty good source of history. I was not a big fan of the first couple chapters because it seem like nothing but politics and all I wanted to do was hear about the person. But the politics calmed down big time.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful journey into the lives of all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independance. Charitable chapters of all signees with more than a few fork-in-the roads that tell additional stories of other players and then circle back to signee. Well researched and intentioned from a conservative point of view which as welcomed.

[Judy Bergantino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book to fully understand the people who creatwd this country, and signed the Declaration of Independence A review of the tyranny of the British in America compared to the overbearing control of today’s leadership.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief bios of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence -- very interesting. Today they would be called elites because most of them came from privilege, but they had the courage to take a stand most of their contemporaries did not. And they paid a high price for it.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many today focus on the imperfection in these men, but MacKinnon shows their sacrifice and resolve that birthed the greatest nation on Earth.

[Kim Kirkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real accurate history!

Easy to read. Facts with fair narrative. Couldn't put it down. Current and up to date. Motivating! You need to know your history!

[Marjorie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very informative book about our past. How vital it is to remember and protect our constitution. It will remain in my library for my grand children.j:

[Teresa L. D'Orsaneo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.