Matthew Spalding

Matthew Spalding is a constitutional scholar, historian, and academic leader who serves as the Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College's Washington, D.C. campus. He has written extensively on American political thought, constitutional principles, and the role of civic education in maintaining republican government. Throughout his career, Spalding has authored or edited several influential works, including "We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future" and "The Founders' Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders & Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding." His scholarship focuses particularly on the principles of the American Founding and their application to contemporary political challenges. Prior to his academic work, Spalding served as Vice President of American Studies at The Heritage Foundation and as a constitutional scholar at various institutions. He has testified before Congress on constitutional issues and contributed to public discourse through numerous articles, lectures, and media appearances. His work bridges academic scholarship and public policy, with particular emphasis on how America's founding principles relate to modern governance and citizenship. Spalding holds a Ph.D. in Government from the Claremont Graduate School and has taught at George Mason University and Claremont McKenna College.

Readers commend Spalding's clear explanations of constitutional principles and American founding documents. Reviews highlight his ability to present complex historical topics in accessible language, particularly in "We Still Hold These Truths." Positive reviews note: - Historical accuracy and depth of research - Balance between scholarly rigor and readability - Inclusion of primary source documents - Clear connections between founding principles and current issues Common criticisms: - Conservative bias in interpretation - Repetitive arguments - Limited exploration of opposing viewpoints Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.7/5 (450+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) "Helped me understand the Constitution better than my college courses did," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another reader observed, "Well-researched but pushes a specific political perspective." Several academic reviewers cited his work as a reference for teaching constitutional history, while others felt his interpretations oversimplified complex historical debates.

We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future - An examination of America's core constitutional principles and their application in modern governance.

The Founders' Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders & Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding - A reference work cataloging key events, figures, and documents from America's founding period.

A Sacred Union of Citizens: George Washington's Farewell Address and the American Character - A detailed analysis of Washington's Farewell Address and its significance in American political thought.

The Heritage Guide to the Constitution (Editor) - A clause-by-clause analysis of the U.S. Constitution with historical context and modern interpretations.

Russell Kirk authored "The Conservative Mind" and wrote extensively about conservative intellectual traditions in America. His work on constitutional principles and the moral foundations of American society aligns with Spalding's focus on founding principles.

Richard Brookhiser writes biographies of the Founding Fathers and examines their principles in contemporary context. His work at National Review and books like "Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington" reflect similar interests in constitutional interpretation and American political thought.

Gordon Wood provides detailed analysis of the American Revolution and founding period through works like "The Creation of the American Republic". His examination of republican principles and the intellectual foundations of American government connects directly to Spalding's academic focus.

Walter Berns wrote extensively about constitutional interpretation and American political institutions. His work on democracy, freedom, and constitutional government in books like "Taking the Constitution Seriously" parallels Spalding's research interests.

Forrest McDonald focused on the Constitutional period and early American republic in works like "Novus Ordo Seclorum". His analysis of the intellectual origins of the Constitution and founding principles mirrors Spalding's scholarly approach.