Ben Sasse

Ben Sasse is an American author, professor, politician, and former United States Senator who stands out for his passion and commitment to the fundamental values of freedom, limited government, and civil society. His books and speeches combine the themes of democracy, liberty, and politics to challenge our society to look beyond the confines of the traditional political system.

Ben Sasse was born in 1972 in Fremont, Nebraska. His father, U.S. Army officer Cliff Sasse, taught him the value of service and patriotism. Recognizing his intelligence at an early age, Ben’s parents encouraged his education, and he attended Fremont High School before graduating from Fremont Senior High School. He then went on to attend Harvard University, where he earned a B.A. in Government and Philosophy. After graduating from Harvard, he pursued his Ph.D. from Yale, earning a degree in History in 2004. Graduating with honors, his dissertation focused on the importance of truth in American politics.

In 2005, Ben Sasse was hired by the Bush Administration as an Advisor on Health Care. After two years of service, he transitioned to the academic world as President of Midland University. In this position, he developed new curriculum, helped students develop leadership skills, and inspired enthusiasm for learning. In addition to his academic work, he also served his community by speaking at dozens of local, state and national events.

In 2013, Ben Sasse was elected to the United States Senate from Nebraska. During his tenure, he was an outspoken critic of the Affordable Care Act and its effects on the American economy. However, he also fought for government transparency and used his influence to promote the need for a strong air force and the need for the Senate to pass legislation limiting the executive branch's power.

In 2016, Senator Sasse published his first book, The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance. It details his views on how to re-engage in American culture and strengthen our civil society. Relating to the challenges of the digital age, Ben wrote this book to inspire readers to take charge of their development, seek knowledge and stay engaged in society’s evolving challenges. As well as challenges from technology, Ben described the pitfalls of an increasingly dependent and entitled population. He challenges the reader to create their own paths and story by adopting a mindset of self-directed learning. With the support of his book, he believes that all of us can become meaningful forces for good in society.

In his second book, Them: Why We Hate Each Other — and How to Heal, Ben addresses the deep divides that have fractured the United States in recent years. Examining history and the current state of our nation, Ben develops an argument that we have become an increasingly divided nation, not just between the right and wrong, but between the “helpers” and the “haters,” between those we traditionally align ourselves with, and those we are increasingly leaving behind. He argues that the true test of our society is not whether we feel good or which political party we associate ourselves with, but how well we are able to bring people together to protect civil society and create meaningful change.

In conclusion, Ben Sasse's books are an important reminder of the power of understanding and the importance of access to knowledge and education. By encouraging civil discourse, Ben hopes to create an environment that encourages the growth and progress of our society. As a result, readers can become a part of a larger dialogue about the development of our nation and the betterment of our society.