Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots

SG While Patrick Henry’s words, “Give me liberty or give me death,” urged fellow colonists toward revolution and shaped his own legacy in the annals of American history, as Baylor University historian Kidd (God of Liberty) points out in this lively portrait, Henry’s greatest contribution to the young republic lay in his challenges to the Constitution, which he believed failed to preserve the ideals of liberty won in the Revolution. For Henry, the Revolution promised a return to the best kind of republic, a virtuous society with healthy and strong local governments. Kidd skillfully traces Henry’s rise from a young farm boy in Virginia to a political figure whose passionate support of liberty won him the friendship of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, among others. Henry lost much of this support when he opposed the Constitution. In his eyes the Constitution consolidated political power and triggered moral and political tyranny. Although Madison’s amendments—which became the Bill of Rights—were at least partially attempts to placate Henry, he saw these articles as simply protecting enumerated rights from government infringement rather than actually reining in the power of the national government. Kidd’s passionate biography offers compelling new insights into the life of one of America’s most beloved figures. (Dec.)