How did past civilizations rise and fall? How rare is America's experiment with a republic? With every crisis, is power being taken away from "the people" and transfered to the central government. Does history give us a clue as to where all this is all headed? George Washington warned in his Farewell Address, 1796: "Disorders and miseries...gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an Individual...[who] turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public...and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism." Ronald Reagan stated at St. John's University, NY, March 28, 1985: "Government that is big enough to give you everything you want is more likely to simply take everything you've got." Woodrow Wilson warned in New York, 1912: "The history of Liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we are resisting the powers of death, because concentration of power is what always precedes the destruction of human liberties." In the nearly 6,000 years of recorded human history, power, like gravity, seems to inevitably concentrate into the hands of one individual, sometimes called pharoah, caesar, czar, kaiser, king, emperor, monarch, sultan, president or communist dictator. No matter what the autocratic leader's particular title is, the default setting for human government throughout history has most often been monarchy. When power is concentrated, the State is supreme. When power is separated, the individual is supreme. America's founders had a unique window of opportunity in the long train of world history, to maximize the freedom and opportunity of the individual. Ronald Reagan stated in 1961: "In this country of ours took place the greatest revolution that has ever taken place in the world's history...Every other revolution simply exchanged one set of rulers for another." Is past behavior the best indicator of future performance? What can we expect? Find out as world history comes alive from a whole new perspective in "Change to Chains - the 6000 year quest for control - Volume I: Rise of the Republic."
William J. Federer is a nationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company focused on America's heritage. His "American Minute" radio feature airs daily nationwide, and his television program "Faith in History" broadcasts on the TCT Network and DirecTV. A former U.S. Congressional candidate, Bill has appeared on major media outlets such as CSPAN, FOX, NPR, TBN, MSNBC, NewsMax, OAN, and Real America's Voice. He has been featured on shows like Hannity, The O’Reilly Factor, The Eric Metaxas Show, Prager U, and others. On radio, he has been interviewed by Focus on the Family, Salem Radio Network, USA Radio Network, and numerous other programs. Bill’s writing has been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Times, Washington Post, and WorldNetDaily, among others. His book America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations has sold over half a million copies and remains widely cited. Other titles by Bill include Change to Chains, Socialism: The Real History from Plato to the Present, The Ten Commandments and Their Influence on American Law, George Washington Carver: His Life & Faith In His Own Words, and What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur'an. Bill has spoken extensively across the U.S. at political conventions, military bases, universities, high schools, churches, and national landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Lincoln Memorial. His audiences have included Congress members, military officers, students, and civic organizations. Honored for his contributions to history and public service, Bill has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from American Christian College and an Honorary Doctorate of Global Leadership from Midwest University. Other awards include the George Washington Honor Medal by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and the National Association of Christian Lawmakers' Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bill graduated from St. Louis University High School and earned his business degree from St. Louis University. He is the fifth of eleven children and married his wife Susie in 1981. Bill has worked in real estate, oil & gas, and religious organizations and is an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration. In politics, Bill’s Congressional campaigns in 2000 and 2004 were notable. Running against Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Bill mounted one of the most expensive and closely watched races in the nation, setting voting records for a Republican in Missouri’s 3rd District.
An excellent read and excellent breadth of history. Some may not like the style it is written in but while a little annoying at times it is worth persisting.
I confess, I'm a history buff. However, this book brings history forward to help you understand the present. Change to Chains is well organized and referenced. If the current world culture and events give you pause, read this book!