The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers

By: Brion McClanahan Ph. D.

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Here to rescue the reputations of our Founding Fathers from the plague of modern political correctness is The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers. Author and professor Brion McClanahan shows how patriots like Franklin, Madison, and Hamilton laid the foundations of American civil liberty and had a better understanding of the problems facing us today than our current Congress.

Timed to launch before the Fourth of July, this brand new "P.I." Guide will vindicate our Founding Fathers and hold them up for what they truly are: the pillars of American society.

Listen to more Politically Incorrect Guides.

©2009 Brion T. McClanahan (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Highly Recommended

It was refreshing to hear about the Founding Fathers through a lens that is traditional as opposed to the 'pc' versions of modern academia.

Straightforward and to-the-point with highlights that illuminate the main attributes of each of the men.

I had planned on a review of the main characters. It was a bonus to have the forgotten/unknown characters also reviewed.

I have listened two books by Joseph Ellis. They left me with little appreciation for the gifts that Americans should enjoy as a result of the sacrifices of that generation. Quite the opposite with the treatment that McClanahan provides.

Highly recommended.

Author perverts US History

The author perverts a rational view of history toward the far right. He romances the agrarian based, states rights view of the Constitution and its authorities as though it would work in more modern times. The author leaves out any discussion of how the world has evolved since 1789 as a rational basis for why we have expanded the general welfare clause to permit federal investments in such common conveniences as the interstate highway system, a transcontinental railroad or major seaports that serve the entire nation. He offers that these improvements only benefit the states in which they occupy. If that is the case, then does not Tennessee benefit from the port of Norfolk? Kansas from interstate highways? The author's literal version of the Constitution was applied from 1789 until the War of 1812 when a Nation was born. The war exposed the utility of federally funded infrastructure improvements became obvious as a requirement for the common defense as well as commerce. No discussion or argument has been offered as to where the U.S. would be without an expansionist view of the Constitution. I would offer that U.S., if it could have continued to exist as a country as the author seems to prefer, would be a global backwater, balkanized by multiple European and Asian interests.

The author also romanticizes home schooling as a superior means of education and cites that Jefferson graduated from college before age 18. Well, what were the educational standards of the day? What accreditation did the College of William and Mary possess at that time? For the TIME, these were stellar institutions and they have evolved with the times. Today Jefferson could never hope to graduate from such an institution as such an age. There is simply too much to learn for a baccalaureate.

The "Books they don't want you to read," list as is common with the "Politically Incorrect" series regularly cite writers like Ron Paul and Thomas Wood who then in turn cite this author in their books. This provides for a circular, unacademic ramble among a group of like minded individuals. Casual readers of history are cautioned. Much context is left out and common arguments that would run counter to the author's view are not cited.

Politically Incorrect/founding fathers.

Would you listen to The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers again? Why?

Yes I would listen to it again. If for no other reason just to "rehash" all the information contained.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the mix of professional/personal lives in it and I also enjoyed the vast number of historical facts I didn't learn in school.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed his voice and inflections, very easy to listen to.

Dogmatic dribble

It feels like it was based off a history book from the 1920’s. He basically underlines that white rich men founded the US on “Christian” values and beats his chest on to the right wing drum. I learned nothing from this book. The narration is not bad but how he reads the alpha male content makes it feel even more one sided than it is written. Waste of time because either you know and believe the partisan way it is presented or you will will be shaking your head as we know there are two sides to every story and this doesn’t portray that.

Insightful and entertaining.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers to be better than the print version?

I drive a lot every work day and the audio version allows me to utilize my time well.

What did you like best about this story?

I was able to learn about the personalities that shaped our country.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

His presentation never tires the listener.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The minds who shaped the greatest nation the earth has ever known.

Astonishing clear facts about lesser known founder

If you could sum up The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers in three words, what would they be?

I would suggest the author does a great job or translating history into an 18th century timeframe. He does a good job warning readers to not apply 21st century values to the founders. A good fight back against the idea of colonialism books that almost alway disparage American history as racist and all bad.

Refreshing perspective

Well done and well presented. I could have done without some of the backhanded sarcasm that closes several of the sections but, notwithstanding such editorial commentary, this is a fine selection for those interested in some of US history's lesser known names of greater influence than one might have imagined. It is always important to view their actions and writings in the context of what was "normal" in their day and time. This work does a fine job of bring that contextual focus to the narration. Enjoyable and recommended.

Should be required reading for all citizens!

Very interesting research on our founding fathers—although I read a lot on this subject, I still learned a great deal! Relatively short and to the point. Very well written. I feel as if I knew the founding fathers better! Narrator’s voice is extremely deep but otherwise narration is fine.

Eye opening

This should be required reading in every middle/high school in America. We have come so far from where we started!

Every right thanking American should read this book

Dispatch will make you realize how far the Democratic Party has taken America or the USA to the brink of destruction not the party of my grandfathers but the democratic party today condemn everything about America that made it great I want to destroy it open borders no prisons taxation without representation is ridiculous and it will show you our founding fathers thought the same way over 200 and some years ago read it it is good