The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution by Bernard Bailyn

This book is a comprehensive study of the political thought that influenced the American Revolution. It explores the diverse ideological currents that shaped the founding fathers' thinking, including radical Whig theories, classical republicanism, and Enlightenment philosophy. The author argues that these ideas were not merely adopted from European thinkers, but were significantly transformed by the unique circumstances of the American colonies. The book also emphasizes the importance of these ideological origins in understanding the American Revolution as a radical event that fundamentally reshaped American society and politics.

The 7907th greatest book of all time


Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 40

Since this book was first published in 1967, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 40.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.