59 pages • 1 hour read
Danielle S. AllenOur Declaration
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality is a close analysis by Danielle S. Allen, arguing that the Declaration is fundamentally about equality. By combining personal narrative, rigorous analysis, and metaphoric explanations, Allen emphasizes the collaborative “democratic writing” of the Declaration and the importance of equality in participating in shared institutions. The work also examines morality, truth, and the historical context of its creation by individuals who were also slave-owners.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Danielle S. Allen's Our Declaration offers a profound reinterpretation of the Declaration of Independence, praised for its accessibility and fresh perspective. While some critics find its approach repetitive and overly detailed, overall, it is lauded for making historical analysis engaging and relevant.
Who Should Read Our Declaration?
A reader who appreciates deep dives into historical texts, particularly those with a focus on democracy and equality, would enjoy Danielle S. Allen's Our Declaration. Ideal for fans of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Jill Lepore's These Truths, this book balances scholarly analysis with accessible prose.