I'm surprised that this book is categorized as "history" instead of "religion" since Skousen's theory is predicated on the notion that religion (Christianity in particular) is the basis of US Government. For those who don't know, as a writer Skousen is an apologist for the LDS (Mormon) Church--as was his father his father before him: Cleon Skousen, the author of the 1950's radical Right Wing polemic "The Naked Communist," a supporter of Joe McCarthy and the John Birch Society.
The LDS Church preaches that the US Constitution was created by the Founding Father who were laboring under divine inspiration(a notion that John Adams warned AGAINST), that one day "Constitution will hang by a thread" and that just as the United States is about to fall the Elders of the LDS Church (of which Skousen is one) will step forward and save it. This book, while not mentioning LDS doctrine, sets up the foundation for that THEOLOGY through careful historical revisionism and by making giant leaps logically.
For instance: Skousen correctly quotes Roman philosophers and the Founding Fathers in their conviction that for freedom to remain a government's official and citizens must be virtuous.
But then he leaps ahead and asserts that religion (Christianity) is the foundation for virtue and morality. He then leaps ahead and asserts that the existence of God is something that can be taken as objective fact. (At no time did the Founders say that the existence of GOD was self-evident; only that it was self evident that individuals are endowed with rights by "their Creator"--a non-sectarian phrase that could just as well be taken as a reference to nature or biology itself. In fact, Benjamin Franklin inserted the pharse "self-evident" into the Delcaration of Independence in place of phrases which he said "smacked of the pulpit" and religion.)
Skousen asserts (against historical evidence to the contrary) that the US government rested on a religious (Christian) foundation; that belief in a Creator God is essential to the government's survival and the nation's morality. (Interestingly enough, Mormon founder Joseph Smith--in his King Follet Discourse and in the Doctrine & Covenants--taught that the mind of man was NOT created by God; that "God never had the power to create the mind of man" and that "the very idea lessens man in my estimation.")
Skousen asserts that the Isrealites of the Old Testament lived by many of the same principles upon which ths US was founded when in fact the ancient Isrealites lived by NONE of these principles. The ancient Israelites lived by a TRIBAL collectivist ethos and have a theoractic form of government that punished such things as breaking the sabbath and using Yahweh's name with public execution. (The governments of moderm Islamist governments have much more in common with that of Ancient Israel.)
Skousen is merely another voice from the extreme Religious Right, attempting to rewrite US history in order to fit into his particular religious (LDS) paradigm.
If you want an accurate account of what the Founding Fathers REALLY thought regarding religion and religious freedom, I recommend either of the two books below. "Founding Faith" in particular is an excellent book that is pro-religion AND supports the Founder's idea of a totally secular government as the ONLY way to protect religious freedom and support public virtue.
64 out of 168 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I would recommend anyone who is interested at all in the history of our country and where it is headed today to read this book. I bought my most recent copy for my 16 year old niece to read. I believe it is imperative that Americans RELEARN the history of our country: the service and sacrifices of our Founding Fathers and the principles that are the core of our country are all presented clearly and accurately in THE 5000 YEAR LEAP. Ronald Reagan wanted this book to be required reading for schools in America. Unfortunately, this idea was shot down by a liberal senator.
It SHOULD be read by every high school student. Learn the history of our country or we're going to lose our country.
This is an excellent place to start!
54 out of 63 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Derf
Posted February 10, 2009
A fascinating read for every American... See how far we have moved from the direction our founders laid out for our country... this is an easy, interseting read, that will hold your attention. It shows the average American where we should be, what we are in danger of loosing, what will really cause us to loose our country. Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative, we all need to read this book.
44 out of 48 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 23, 2009
A very well researched book that every High School Student in the U.S. should be required to read in their US Government Class before their graduation. I also believe it should be widely read and studied further in depth at the University level. And for those who yearn for this accurate account of U.S. History; that has almost been invalidated by those who have tried to sweep it under the rug, by writing "their versions" of U.S. History.
26 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 9, 2009
The second best book I have read this year. I wish it could be taught in school.
17 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 9, 2009
The founding fathers understood history and human nature. This book simply elaborates on this fact, and while doing so, causes the reader to come to a solid conclusion about our history and future as a nation. This is a must read for anyone who calls himself/herself an American. Understanding how we have achieved so much as a nation over the past 200 years helps us acknowledge and perserve our liberty today! Reading this book more than once isn't such a bad thing either.
14 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book opens up with an explanation of how far the post-United States world has advanced society as opposed to the 5,000 years of civilization that occurred beforehand. It goes on to explain the founding principles that lead to this prosperity and how the founders of this nation struggled and argued to find the perfect balance of Religion, Liberty, Law, and Personal Responsibility so that the nation could triumph. Obviously, they found the perfect balance, which went on to become the United States Constitution and the nation exploded with prosperity. The irony of the book is that you realize as you read it that these principles no longer apply. Our politicians and representatives are no longer "principal led". They find new ways to bind our hands with laws and litigation. They pick our pockets in order to line theirs. Several times while reading this book I became emotional because it clarified how far off America is from the path that was intended by the founders. This should be required reading for all Americans, and HS/College students. If you need an introduction to US History, this book is THE starting place.
12 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2009
This book is a must! We all need to understand our country and how it came to be the most powerful nation of the world. This book is an easy read, containing quotes from our founding fathers. It is scary how far we have moved in the opposite direction from what our fore fathers intended this country to be. It should be required reading for all high school graduates. We need to instill these truths in our youth before our country is lost!
12 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.People need to seriously research their titles before reading and especially before giving a review. I find myself cringing everytime i hear someone say this title should be required reading. There is an absolute reason why its not required reading and why it will never be required reading. The only time this should actually be required reading, is when its for a "conservative" book club. This is in no way a historical book purely based on facts. The author, clearly, has his own agenda if you all took the time to do a little research. it's written by the founder of the "national center for constitutional studies" (Conservative think tank), "Cleon Skousen", is a long time conservative, and former adviser for Ronald Reagan, (which is why Ronald Reagan is put in Quotes in the back of the book as saying "this should be required reading"). I have no problem with Conservatives having there say or even their own interpretation on history, but when they so obviously try to rewrite history and present it as fact, rather than an alternative, then it becomes shallow and completely disrespectful to our founding fathers. conservatives have no solutions to any of the real problems that are facing america and the world alike. so instead, a campaign of misinformation and historical attacks have been taking place, in order to stamp the conservative mentality in every aspect of american life and history. This book is just one of many publications that are commited to this mission of historical genocide, ranging from the constitution, presidents, world history, you name it. Please, understand what you are all reading before purchasing and who the author represents.
12 out of 52 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 13, 2009
I don't know whether "The 5000 Year Leap" should be required reading, but it is most definitely a book that will make one proud of the process and principals our forefathers used to build the constitution of America. Most people think of the U.S. as a Democratic state. This book will explain that is not what was intended. We were meant to be a Republic--there is a substantial difference. If you love the United States, and you want to love it even more, this is one of the best reads you will find.
I was amazed at how well educated and how very intelligent our founders were. When reading "The 5000 Year Leap", try to set aside your political leanings. Just let the writing allow you to either question and research, or to accept that the United States is the greatest country on earth.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 3, 2009
I encourage anyone that has independent thinking and open mind to read this book and decide for themselves.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 14, 2009
Unbelievable that this book is classed as non-fiction. Just because someone calls it history and inserts quotes of dead presidents, doesn't make it so. Readers need to wake up and read all "history" books with scepticism until proven as such.
10 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 17, 2010
For all who are interested in the history of the Unites States Constitution. What our Founding Fathers intended and where we came from.
The content was presented very straight forward and understandable. This should be required reading for all high school students.
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I am not an avid book reader ,but this one ,This 5000 Year Leap, I could not put down.The author tells how our founding fathers,took their time and got it right.If this book would have been used back in high school,or college, studying would have been so much easier.This is a must read book,thanks to the author for such a great job.
9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.my_trunorth
Posted April 13, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This is a fascinating read. It is filled with quotes and facts, not opinion. This made me take a hard honest look, not only to what our government has become, but what I have become as well. It has inspired me to read more, get involved more, and try to engage more people on the most important issues of our great nation. As soon as I finished it, I could hardly wait to give it to my 18 year old daughter who, I feel, has lost her way. She has already started reading it, and I look forward to many discussions on this material.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 18, 2009
I found this to be one of the most provocative books I have read in a very long time. This book explains in very clear and concise language the fundamental thoughts and ideals our Founding Fathers envisioned for our country. It is not "high-brow" reading; it is written in everyday language that everyone can understand and discuss. It is also amazing to read this simultaneously with a copy of the U.S. Constitution and to realize that almost EVERY basic fundamental principle of our Constitution has been or is being violated this very day by our politico and current media organizations. This is a great read for book club discussion.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Detailed discussion of the political foundations set by our founding fathers. Not presented as a what we should do, and where we should go, but as a what every informed voter should know. Whether you accept or appreciate what the founders of the United States stood for and believed, it would behoove you to understand just that. The 5000 Year Leap is written simply, with a somewhat storybook fashion. I could not put it down.
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2009
The author does a marvelous job of explaining how the Founders settled upon the timeless principles that went into the Constitution. These principles are timeless because they flow from an all-wise, all-knowing creator, God. The Constitution took years to draft through much debate. It is plain to see that the guiding hand of providence led the way. We would do well to return not only to the principles that have made this country great, but also to the one who made it great.
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2009
I would suggest to anyone intrested in our nation's history or constitutional history that they seek out the works of true constitutional/U.S. History scholars and educators. This man is not one of those things.
Further, he had a strong political agenda and this work is an extension of that. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleon_Skousen
These are one man's opinions based on that agenda. Please be informed that there is a reason this is not used in schools. Do not look at it as fact but rather read it for intellectual stimulation or enjoyment but not to learn a history lesson.
8 out of 39 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 9, 2009
I bought this book for my boyfriend. It was a book he had been wanting to read. He has not yet finished reading the book but has loved what he has read so far!!
8 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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