Isabella Carter
W. Cleon Skousen was a popular author, speaker, teacher, and former FBI special agent, best known for his books *The Naked Communist*, *The Naked Capitalist*, and *The Five Thousand Year Leap*. Skousen was also an expert on the U.S. Constitution, and was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America. He published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations worldwide. Skousen's book *The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution* is considered one of the best books on the U.S. Constitution, providing a wealth of material on the Founding Fathers' intentions when drafting the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Profession | Author, speaker, teacher, FBI agent, Chief of Police in Salt Lake City, university professor |
| Expertise | History, law, freedom, U.S. Constitution, economics, ancient history, scriptures |
| Notable works | The Making of America, The Naked Communist, The Naked Capitalist, The Five Thousand Year Leap, The Miracle of America, The Majesty of God's Law |
| Influence | W. Cleon Skousen's works have been used by foundations and in forums across America; his seminars on the Constitution have been taught to millions, including U.S. Senators, Representatives, Supreme Court justices, and presidential candidates |
| Legacy | Remembered for his expertise in the U.S. Constitution and his contributions to "constitutionalist" principles; his works continue to be studied and referenced by individuals and organizations across the political spectrum |
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What You'll Learn
W. Cleon Skousen's life and work
W. Cleon Skousen was a Canadian-born popular author, speaker, teacher, former FBI special agent, and Chief of Police in Salt Lake City. He was a student of history and a scholar of law, specializing in the principles of freedom, the U.S. Constitution, economics, and ancient history and scriptures. Skousen's seminars on the Constitution have been taught to millions across the U.S., including U.S. Senators, Representatives, Supreme Court justices, and presidential candidates. He believed that knowledge and understanding were key to maintaining a free country, and he dedicated his life to making complex issues more accessible to students and audiences worldwide.
Skousen was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America, and he published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations everywhere. He was also a prolific writer, producing three national bestsellers: "The Naked Communist," "The Naked Capitalist," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." Eight of his books were used as college texts, and several were translated and published in other countries.
Skousen's books have been praised for their comprehensive understanding of the Constitution and their historical value. His book "The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution" provides a wealth of material on the Founding Fathers' intentions when drafting the American Constitution. It addresses the Constitution clause by clause, providing resources on the Founder's intent for each clause.
Skousen's work has also been controversial. In 1987, California considered using his book "The Making of America" as a textbook for schools, but this sparked a heated debate due to the book's statements about slavery and its use of the term "pickaninny" to label slave children.
Skousen remained fairly obscure outside of far-right Mormon circles until his death in 2006. However, he was eulogized on the floor of the U.S. Senate by Senator Orrin Hatch, who credited Skousen as a significant influence on his political career. Skousen's work continues to be influential, with his ideas on constitutionalism and freedom promoted by figures such as Jan Mickelson and Mitt Romney.
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The Making of America
W. Cleon Skousen was a popular author, speaker, teacher, and former FBI special agent, best known for his books *The Naked Communist*, *The Naked Capitalist*, and *The Five Thousand Year Leap*. Skousen was also invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America, and he published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations everywhere.
Skousen's book, *The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution*, provides a wealth of material on the Founding Fathers' intentions when drafting the American Constitution. It is one of the most thorough compilations of statements relating to constitutional interpretation and addresses the Constitution clause by clause. The book has received positive reviews from customers, who describe it as a brilliant, well-thought-out, and easy-to-understand resource on the substance and meaning of the U.S. Constitution.
In 1987, there was controversy in California when the state briefly considered using Skousen's book as a textbook for schools. Statements in the book regarding slavery and its use of the term "pickaninny" to label slave children caused a heated debate about the book's appropriateness.
Skousen has been described as a "favorite of the right" and an expert on American Constitutionalism. He spent his life opening up complex issues for deeper understanding by students and audiences worldwide. He believed knowledge and understanding were key to maintaining a free country.
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Skousen's views on freedom and liberty
W. Cleon Skousen was a Canadian-born author, speaker, teacher, former FBI agent, and police chief. He was a student of history and a scholar of law, specializing in the principles of freedom, the U.S. Constitution, economics, and ancient history and scriptures.
Skousen believed that knowledge and understanding were key to maintaining a free country, and he spent his life trying to make complex issues more understandable for students and audiences worldwide. He was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America, and he published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations everywhere.
Skousen believed that the Founding Fathers intended to preserve liberties and inalienable rights endowed by a Creator through the framework of a Constitution that would restrain the government from oppressive actions. He argued that civil law had slowly eroded many freedoms once protected by common law. Skousen's interpretation of the Constitution emphasized the predominance of personal liberty and true rule by common law, as he believed that some Amendments had eroded pristine ideals of liberty, such as those leading to income tax.
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Skousen's influence on politics
W. Cleon Skousen was a popular author, speaker, and teacher who lectured in every state in North America and in over 60 countries worldwide. He was a student of history and a scholar of law, specializing in the principles of freedom, the U.S. Constitution, economics, and ancient history and scriptures. He was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America, and he published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations everywhere.
Skousen's books, including "The Naked Communist," "The Naked Capitalist," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap," were national bestsellers and used as college texts. They were also influential among politicians and political candidates. For example, in 2007, Iowa radio station WHO's Jan Mickelson and Republican Iowa caucus presidential candidate Mitt Romney discussed Skousen in an off-the-air conversation, with Romney citing Skousen as an expert on American Constitutionalism.
Skousen's writings and teachings emphasized the importance of knowledge and understanding in maintaining a free country. He believed that the Founding Fathers' original intentions for a free and prosperous society had been lost or misunderstood over time, and that a review of the history and development of the making of America was necessary to recapture these principles.
Skousen's work has been praised for its accessibility and depth, with one reviewer describing it as "intuitive enough for a child and yet deep enough for an adult." His book "The Making of America" provides a comprehensive understanding of the Constitution, examining the intentions of the Founding Fathers and the meaning of each clause.
Skousen's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch crediting Skousen and his Freemen Institute as significant supporters of his 1976 Senate campaign. Skousen organized the Freemen Institute as a nonprofit educational foundation to foster "constitutionalist" principles, including a reduction in the size and scope of the federal government and a reverence for the original nature of the Constitution.
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Skousen's books and their impact
W. Cleon Skousen was a popular author, speaker, and teacher. He lectured in every state and province in North America and in over 60 countries worldwide. Skousen was a student of history and a scholar of law, specializing in the principles of freedom, the U.S. Constitution, economics, and ancient history and scriptures. He was also a former FBI special agent.
Skousen was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America, and he published a model constitution that could be adopted by nations everywhere. He was a prolific writer and produced three national bestsellers: "The Naked Communist," "The Naked Capitalist," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." Eight of his books were used as college texts, and several were translated and published in other countries.
Skousen's books have had a significant impact on many people, including U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, who knew Skousen when Hatch was an unknown Senate candidate in 1976. Skousen's book "The Naked Communist" was recommended by Senator Ben Carson, who called Skousen a "favorite of the right." Skousen's work has also been influential in certain political circles, with some seeing it as a guide to understanding the "progressive plan for fundamentally changing America."
Skousen's book "The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution" is highly regarded by many as one of the best books on the Constitution. It provides a wealth of material on the Founding Fathers' intentions when drafting the American Constitution, addressing the Constitution clause by clause. The book has been praised for its informative content, readability, and thorough examination of principles.
Skousen's work, however, has also sparked controversy. In 1987, California briefly considered using his book "The Making of America" as a textbook for schools. This decision sparked a heated debate due to the book's statements about slavery and its use of the term "pickaninny" to label slave children.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, W. Cleon Skousen was invited to write a new constitution for Canada and the proposed United States of Latin America.
W. Cleon Skousen was a popular author, speaker, and teacher. He wrote several books, including "The Naked Communist", "The Naked Capitalist", and "The Five Thousand Year Leap".
Yes, eight of his books were used as college textbooks, and several were translated and published in other countries. In 1987, there was some controversy in California when the state briefly considered using Skousen's book, "The Making of America", as a textbook for schools.
W. Cleon Skousen was a "favorite of the right". By his 2006 death, he remained fairly obscure except among "furthest-right Mormons".
W. Cleon Skousen served in the FBI for 16 years, four years as Chief of Police in Salt Lake City, and ten years as a university professor.
