The Pursuit of Happiness

How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America

By: Jeffrey Rosen

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins

A New York Times bestseller and an “enriching…brilliant” (David W. Blight, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Frederick Douglass) examination of what “the pursuit of happiness” meant to our nation’s Founders and how that famous phrase defined their lives and became the foundation of our democracy.

The Declaration of Independence identified “the pursuit of happiness” as one of our unalienable rights, along with life and liberty. Jeffrey Rosen, the president of the National Constitution Center, profiles six of the most influential founders—Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton—to show what pursuing happiness meant in their lives, and to give us the “best and most readable introduction to the ideas of the Founders that we have” (Gordon Wood, author of Power and Liberty).

By reading the classical Greek and Roman moral philosophers who inspired the Founders, Rosen shows us how they understood the pursuit of happiness as a quest for being good, not feeling good—the pursuit of lifelong virtue, not short-term pleasure. Among those virtues were the habits of industry, temperance, moderation, and sincerity, which the Founders viewed as part of a daily struggle for self-improvement, character development, and calm self-mastery. They believed that political self-government required personal self-government. For all six Founders, the pursuit of virtue was incompatible with enslavement of African Americans, although the Virginians betrayed their own principles.

“Immensely readable and thoughtful” (Ken Burns), The Pursuit of Happiness is more than an elucidation of the Declaration’s famous phrase; it is a revelatory journey into the minds of the Founders, and a deep, rich, and fresh understanding of the foundation of our democracy.

Relevant and interesting

Intruiging and deep dive into the men who shaped the men who shaped this country. Enjoyed it immensely.

Essential Reading

A tour de force review of the moral precepts underpinning the American experiment and a possible guide to national and personal healing. Beautifully written by a legal and constitutional scholar who applies heart and mind in equal proportions to his task.

Should be required reading for all

Marvelous reminder of what makes America great. Oh that our elected officials, civil servants, parents, teachers and school children would read and live out these principles.

Well written book and pleasantly narrated too. Cannot recommend this book enough.

Founding fathers sense of history

Understanding how the founding fathers arrived at their ideals for setting up the US government

An introduction to the classical writers

An engrossing book. Having previously not read the classical authors, despite having considerable interest in them, this was an excellent introduction. Well researched and well read, it highlights the founders laudable dedication to self improvement.