If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty by Eric Metaxas

In his 2017 book “If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty,” best selling author Eric Metaxas provides readers with an informative and in-depth look at the importance of the Founding Fathers’ vision of the American Dream. Metaxas details the struggles and sacrifices of the Founding Fathers and other key players in the fight for American freedom and examines the current state of liberty and freedom in America. The book provides a holistic understanding of American freedom and the key factors necessary for its preservation.

The book begins with an examination of the Founding Fathers’ vision for America, one that emphasized the importance of a government secure in its sovereignty but one that also recognized the importance of liberty. Metaxsas examines the events leading up to the creation of the Declaration of Independence, which recognized the importance of “unalienable rights,” such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He moves on to examine the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights, and then examines the various ways in which these documents have been interpreted and applied by various generations throughout the centuries.

Metaxas then provides readers with a brief survey of America’s history and the struggles to maintain and preserve its core values, specifically the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He examines the various wars and social movements, such as the civil rights movement, which sought to protect these values. He provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the struggles endured by certain groups as they sought to gain recognition of their rights in America.

Finally, Metaxas examines the current state of American freedom and liberty and the threats that are seen as having the potential to undermine these values. He provides an analysis of the contemporary political climate and its potential to alter the vision of freedom and liberty that was promised by the Founding Fathers. He offers a thoughtful assessment of existing threats such as extremism, shrinking civil liberties, unemployment, and financial issues. He concludes the book by offering his thoughts on how to preserve American Liberty in the 21st century and beyond.

Overall, “If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty” is an informative, inspiring, and thought-provoking book. Metaxas’s strong examination of the events leading up to the creation of the Declaration of Independence, the ratification of the Constitution, and their effects on the American dream provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the importance of American Freedom and Liberty. The book is essential reading for anyone seeking to gain a better appreciation of the American dream and its potential to shape the future of the nation.