Reviews
What Would The Founding Fathers Tell UsToday?
Political Dialogs Between 1789 And 2040
What Would The Founding Fathers Tell Us Today? Reviews
Joy Abraham
I would also like to reiterate how compelling I find The Founding Fathers in 1789. The approach of presenting democratic principles through fictional dialogues is particularly thoughtful, as it gives the Founding Fathers a living voice while inviting readers to reflect critically on leadership, ethics, and the responsibilities inherent in a true democracy. The way the book connects historical foundations, such as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the system of checks and balances, to contemporary questions of freedom, justice, and prosperity is especially striking.
01/07/2026
Alexis Reese
I recently came across your book "What Would The Founding Fathers Tell Us Today?" and was captivated by its innovative blend of historical political fiction, time-travel dialogues, and insightful commentary on democracy and social issues.
It’s truly an intriguing concept that seamlessly intertwines past and present discussions on governance.
12/14/2025
Yolanda Holly: Reigniting America’s Founding Vision
I just came across The Founding Fathers in 1789 and was immediately struck by its premise. You’ve done something few modern writers attempt transforming the ideological birth of a nation into a stage play that doubles as a living civics lesson. Through fictional dialogues, you let Jefferson, Madison, and Washington speak again not as marble statues, but as thinkers wrestling with questions that still define democracy today.
It’s rare to see a work that bridges political science, philosophy, and dramatic storytelling with such clarity and purpose. What really stands out is how the play reflects your background, a Ph.D. in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin and deep experience in economics and executive leadership. That blend of theory and real-world insight gives your writing a perspective most political dramatizations lack. And your commitment to reviving democratic values through literature couldn’t be more timely or necessary.
11/06/2025
Taj: A Timely Exploration of Democracy’s Challenges
This book offers a compelling look at the state of democracy in America, blending historical context with modern concerns. Through engaging fictional dialogues, the voices of the Founding Fathers shine a light on the principles that built the nation and the challenges it faces today. Complex topics like voting rights, inequality, and political trust are tackled in a way that feels both relevant and thought-provoking. It’s an accessible yet meaningful read, sparking a deeper understanding of what democracy means and how its ideals can be preserved in a changing world. Perfect for anyone curious about America’s democratic roots and future. 5/5
01/10/2025
T. Roller
It's a decent book. As a big history buff I'm not sure if this is how or what the founding fathers would be like at all, but it's historical fiction so I overlooked that part and read the whole book. I thought it was good overall. 4/5
12/27/2024
Cuteandsweet101: Thought-provoking
I’m finding it really interesting! The concept of having political dialogues that jump between 1789 and 2040 is such a creative way to explore how the Founding Fathers’ ideas might apply to our modern world. It’s definitely thought-provoking, especially when it touches on issues we’re dealing with now, like political divisions and economic challenges. It feels like a mix of history and future speculation, which keeps me curious about how it all ties together.
10/18/2024
Joel A.: Key US History Lessons
A wonderful book that tells the story of the origin/development of our first constitution (The Articles of Confederation - 1781) and our current constitution (1789). And it does it through the eyes and voices of the key players at the time – Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, etc. It then brings these gentlemen through history, placing them in our country at various times up to the present to get their reflections on what they see.
And what they see is a broken system of government where politicians place their power and wealth at the top of the priority list, the success of their party second and the welfare of the nation a distant third. And as a clever touch we are taken to the 2049 where the president at the time told us that the political climate had markedly improved due to term limits on the President (one term of 6 years), senators, congressmen and the Supreme Court. So politicians and judges were not so much focused on how to stay in their jobs forever and had time to actually do the work of the people. And all of it well written and is an excellent history lesson for all the readers of this book. 5/5
07/04/2024
Recomendado! - A Powerfull Reflection on Democracy’s Foundations and Modern Challenges
This book is a thought-provoking and timely exploration of America's democratic roots and the challenges we face today. By weaving history, politics, and democratic theories into fictional dialogues with the Founding Fathers, the author brilliantly bridges the ideals of the past with the realities of the present.
The format is both creative and engaging, allowing readers to feel as though they are in conversation with the architects of democracy themselves. Their perspectives shed light on the erosion of key principles such as equality, justice, and trust while offering profound insights into how we might restore them.
The discussion of Gerrymandering, covert voting restrictions, and systemic inequality is especially eye-opening, presenting these complex issues in a way that’s accessible and compelling. This is not just a book for history buffs or political theorists—it’s a call to action for every American who values freedom and prosperity.
This book is essential reading for anyone who cares deeply about preserving and strengthening democracy. It’s an inspiring reminder of what truly makes America great and a roadmap for a brighter, more equitable future. Highly recommended. 5/5
12/01/2024
Upn42: Political Insights
I found it offers a fascinating look at America's political landscape through dialogues with the Founding Fathers. The author's historical insights bring figures like Hamilton and Washington to life, bridging past and present issues. The addition of new characters discussing race and representation adds depth. A thought-provoking read that urges reflection on our democratic principles. 5/5
07/08/2024
Anthony Avina
Review
“This was a genuinely creative and engaging use of history and creative storytelling. The author’s ability to trace readers back to the founding fathers and the creation of America’s foundation was remarkable to read. The use of dialogue amongst the founding fathers helped illustrate the dreams and goals of the America of old, and the way past cultures like Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire influenced the founding fathers in their creation of our democracy was inspiring to learn about.
Yet the creative way the founding fathers were brought into our present and the future made this book stand out. It was genuinely engaging to experience what these iconic figures would feel and how they would react to the political discourse and social unrest that our nation is living in right now. The author’s research and historical knowledge played into this dialogue among the historical figures really well, allowing readers to see through their eyes how far we’ve departed from their vision and what we can do to come together in the future.”
The Verdict
“Insightful, memorable, and thought-provoking author Werner Neff’s “What Would the Founding Fathers Tell Us Today? Political Dialogs Between 1789-2040” is a must-read nonfiction and historical book with a creative bend. The insight and knowledge readers will gain and the fascinating perspectives that these figures of the past hold for us and our present-day problems will keep the discussion flowing amongst readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!” 10/10
02/14/2024
Maincrest Media - Review
Star Rating **** 4 out of 5 Stars
PLOT: The story is original, engaging, and well-paced. The book follows a clear, logical narrative arc. The writing is concise and includes just enough information to make a reader want to continue reading and stretch their imagination.
CHARACTER: The author’s portrayal of the characters is memorable and believable. The characters have a strong reason for existence and their goals and motivations have been well established. The characters strengths, weaknesses, backstory, and conflicts evoke a strong emotional response in the reader.
THEME: The book has a strong, unifying theme. The book presents new, original ideas or topics. The book appeals to the reader in an emotional or logical manner. The theme is relevant to the author’s genre of writing.
STYLE: The author’s word choice, sentence fluency, voice and tone have been well established. The author uses descriptive imagery where appropriate. The author’s use of language enhances the overall reading experience.
APPEAL TO TARGET AUDIENCE: The target audience of the book is clear, and the contents of the book is in line with other highly regarded books in its genre. The book has a professional interior layout, typeface and/or illustrations. The book includes relevant front and back matter to explain key elements of the plot, characters and setting to enhance a reader’s overall experience. The book is free from grammatical, spelling, and/or punctuation errors.
BOOK SUBMISSION SCORE
BOOK TITLE: PLOT: 4 / 5
What Would the Founding Fathers Tell Us Today? CHARACTER: 5 / 5
AUTHOR NAME: THEME: 5 / 5
Werner Neff STYLE: 4 / 5
APPEAL TO TARGET 4 / 5 AUDIENCE:
Feedback
“This book discusses the pivotal role of the Founding Fathers in the creation of the America and explores what they would say about the America we have today. Neff uses a series of theoretical conversations, scaffolded by a fictionalized account of the creation of the Constitution, to analyze the current state of America. The book takes an in depth look at how far the principles woven into the constitution have been deviated from and explores what could be done differently. However, this is by no means a negative experience, but a celebration of American spirit; the determination, innovation, and fearless commitment to change that underpins the political landscape we have today. By revisiting events in recent history, we are reminded of the tremendous strides that America has made in a relatively short time since it claimed independence from British colonial rule. Modern-leaning language makes it both accessible and entertaining to the modern reader and brings the Founding Fathers to life. Perhaps most importantly though, is the message throughout the book, which impresses that whether perceived as Republic or Democratic, American political structure is driven and energized by its people, and people have the power to change the course of politics.”
Booklife Review for Publisher’s Weekly
“Neff (Vision for America) offers an imaginative reconstruction of conversations between the Founding Fathers of America (seven men specifically), from early conversations in 1789 on the basis of our Constitution, to a set of conversations in 2020 on the Trump era’s crisis of democracy, to a flash forward to 2040, when much of the current crises have been resolved. These dialogs are contextualized by explanatory notes and at times summarized by key bullet points. The conversations cover the constitutional basics of the United States of America, both written and unwritten, from the Bill of Rights to the electoral college (“The 2016 thing is kind of weird,” Alexander Hamilton acknowledges), the role that political parties play, the distinction—or lack thereof—between a republic and a democracy, and myriad other topics. Neff’s playful, informative thought experiment doesn’t restrict the Founder’s conversations to constitutional matters but also reflects on how different the modern world would be to their experience, occasionally layering in jokes to lighten the mood, though some readers might balk at John Adams encouraging someone to “slow [his] roll.” Interestingly, as the conversation turns to voting towards 21st century voting controversies in the last third of the book, Neff makes a wise choice to introduce new characters and broaden the perspective. William Lee, George Washington’s Black manservant, and his two children represent differing perspectives and explore issues of race more fully. The 2040 section finds the founders speaking to a future president, John Miller, about how the United States made it through its early 21st century crises, giving Neff the opportunity to lay out a set of prescriptions, such as term limits for Supreme Court Justices and members of Congress to the creation of two more major parties rather than just two. Regardless of what a reader may feel about specific proposals, Neff’s dialogs do an excellent job laying out the informal constitutional conventions which American democracy requires to thrive, and which are currently under threat.”
Takeaway: The founders face the past, present, and future of Constitutional democracy in lively dialogues.
Great for fans of: K. M. Kostyal’s Founding Fathers: The Fight for Freedom and the Birth of American Liberty, Lawrence Rowe’s The Founding Fathers Return.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A”
Readers’ Favorite - Review
Reviewer: Jon Michael Miller
Date: August 1, 2022
“In What Would The Founding Fathers Tell Us Today?: Political Dialogs Between 1789 and 2040, Werner Neff addresses the political issues raging in America. He uses the bold technique of imagining some of the Founding Fathers—Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, Madison, and Franklin—returning to today’s world. He begins in 1789 by reviewing the discussions that occurred as they all met in Philadelphia to create an independent country, particularly the writing of the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Mr. Neff creates informal, often humorous settings where the men’s personalities interplay. But we see these men seriously creating the first modern democratic state. Then in 2020, they return to see how things are going. For the reader, Mr. Neff predicts “an intriguing read.”
And his prediction is spot on—but “intriguing” is an understatement because what a mess they discover! Before politics, however, they marvel at modernism in vehicles, buildings, smells, clothing, and food, and at their thirteen colonies having turned into 50 states. When their shock and awe settle, they see how reliance upon good faith, ethical behavior, and virtue has disintegrated into partisan rancor, particularly in the election process itself. They blame themselves for having created two flawed systems: the Electoral College and Gerrymandering. Then they go on to present what they believe will correct the current problems with present-day elections. Democracy depends, they say, on reliable elections. Throughout, Werner Neff imagines lively discussions on these issues among the returning Founders. The Founding Fathers Visiting the United States: Relevance and Meaning in America by Werner Neff illuminates our problems and offers possible solutions in an insightful and "intriguing" manner. This book might just help bring about the useful changes he proposes.”