| Sumario: | The article reviews *Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence* by Timothy Sandefur, focusing on Sandefur’s argument that classical liberalism, particularly a libertarian interpretation of natural law, was the primary philosophical force behind the American Revolution. The book highlights the role of the Continental Congress in establishing new governments and challenges the notion that the Declaration of Independence marked a sudden break from British rule, portraying it instead as a formalization of existing realities. While the work offers valuable insights into Revolutionary-era rhetoric and constitutional ideas, it is critiqued for its polemical tone, reductionist portrayal of historical figures, and an overly rigid interpretation of intellectual motivations. The review suggests the book functions more as a normative legal argument supporting libertarian ideals than as a comprehensive historical analysis.
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