Summer Reading

I wrote this while (avoiding) finishing my Master’s degree. It’s a bit dated now, what with everyone agreeing about how much George Bush has messed up things and all, but I was happy with it at the time, and always wanted to put it in some kind of public forum. Enjoy…

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One of my favourite summer rituals is choosing a summer book to read. For a graduate student like me, there is something indescribably luxurious about picking a book and reading simply for the fun of it. Not to deconstruct, demythologize, or defend it, but simply for the pleasure of reading.

This summer, I turned to an old favourite – the American Declaration of Independence. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Though admittedly it’s a bit old, and arguably more of a short story than a book, it’s still got everything you could want in a light summer read: heroes, villains, colourful characters, all packed into a heart-warming story of triumph over adversity.

The writing hums along too, with all sorts of quotable lines. Some of the most famous catch phrases have even found their way into the modern lexicon. It’s easy to see why. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” practically falls off the tongue. I, for one, think it beats “you had me at hello” any day of the week.

Even better, the whole thing is based on a true story. To be honest, I’m surprised that no one has turned it into a major motion picture yet. It’s probably just a matter of time. Everyone knows that Hollywood loves a sequel, and with the Constitution and a few dozen Amendments to continue the story, the Declaration franchise could live on for years.

I think it’s the villain that makes the Declaration such a good read. Most actors claim that the bad guy is usually the most interesting character in a story, and that is certainly the case here. King George character is truly a piece of work. I’m sure most people know about the whole “taxation without representation” thing, but some of the other stuff he tried to get away with is just as bad:

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has [quartered] large bodies of armed troops among us [and protected] them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States;

[He has deprived] us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

[He has transported] us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.

Honestly, it’s hard to find anything to like about King George. The arrogance, the lack of respect for due process, and the total contempt for others’ life and liberty make him a villain you love to hate. In hindsight, it is amazing that Americans put up with his shenanigans for as long as they did.

Like most of my favourite summer books, the Declaration is one of those timeless reads. I come back to it again and again, each time finding some new truth that I’d missed before. I think part of the reason is that, beyond the superficial action and glamour, the Declaration contains some important truths about life. On one level, it serves as a cautionary tale, warning readers about the dangers of arrogant, arbitrary leadership, unchecked power, and the need for due process. On another, it is a story of hope, a true celebration of humanity. Though written by Americans, the document speaks to us all. It reminds us that everyone is created equal, and that we are all entitled to certain inalienable rights, including freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment. Though no one is above the law, even the worst are entitled to a fair trial.

It’s a powerful message, one that holds as true today as it did 200 years ago. Americans fought for that message then; I hope they don’t give up on it now.