The Declaration Decoded

"With THE DECLARATION DECODED, Katie Kennedy makes the job of understanding this important document quite easy. So the next time we’re cooking hot dogs and watching fireworks explode, we’ll have a much better idea of what we’re celebrating."

Traditional history textbook coverage of the American colonies and the struggle for independence tends to lull students to sleep. This engaging account effectively conveys considerable amounts of insightful information about the development of the Declaration of Independence using clear, twenty-first-century language. The content maintains the original complexity of the source text, thought it is enhanced through thoughtful inclusions of straightforward rewording, background context, and quotations. If the colonists wanted support from potential future citizens and foreign allies, “it would be handy to have an announcement of the country’s independence ready.” A detailed sidebar explains the considerable challenges of traveling (getting from Boston to Philadelphia took two weeks and six ferry crossings). A direct quote from John Adams confirms that he could be really annoying: “That I had been so obnoxious for my early and constant Zeal in promoting the Measure . . . ” There are explanations regarding the arrangement of signatures on the actual document and how the wording affected subsequent declarations in other countries. The comprehensive bibliography rounds out this effective curriculum support for students, parents, and teachers.