Books

How did a persecuted sect become the faith of an empire, and how was European civilization built on the heritage of Greece and Rome, mediated by “civilized barbarians”? How did Europe both preserve and transform antiquity while building a distinctive civilization of its own? These are the questions explored in The Golden Thread, Volume I, Part 2: Christendom, written by James Hankins.

Where do the threads that form the Western tradition originate, and how were they woven together? What are the sources of our modern ideas about science, freedom, equality, law, good government, and virtue? These are the questions explored in The Golden Thread, Volume I, Part 1: The Ancient World, written by James Hankins. Replete with lavish classical art, alongside original maps, and the letters, speeches, and quotes of the most important figures of each era, this volume masterfully weaves a vibrant tapestry of the West’s ancient past.

The Golden Thread Edition of The Lincoln-Douglas Debates is the definitive, fully annotated edition for students, scholars, and any reader who wants to understand these debates and why they still matter.

The Golden Thread, Volume II begins in 1500, when the Protestant Reformation brought an end of the Roman Catholic Church’s dominance over European states. It then turns to the rise of imperial powers that swiftly circled the globe, and to the explosion of intellectual, economic, and technological advancements sparked by the Enlightenment. In its closing chapters, The Golden Thread engages with the most significant questions facing the West today.

Through carefully selected stories and a clear, engaging writing style, Wilfred McClay invites students, teachers, and history enthusiasts alike to engage with America’s past and our ongoing quest for liberty and justice for all in Land of Hope.

The Golden Thread, Volume I examines how the foundations were laid for the West’s political and economic dominance in the modern era, illuminating the deep roots of the ideas, arts, and institutions that continue to shape our world.