Justice Neil Gorsuch Interview on The Declaration of Independence [0:00-5:00]

So, Justice Gorsuch, why a children's book? Well, you know, there are so many incredible inspirational stories in our history. And I think they have a lot to offer us today, as we're hitting our 250th anniversary. This thing is really lavishly illustrated. Chris Ellison. Yes. Isn't he remarkable? Somebody should give that guy a prize. So, what are these images invoking for you? When you see these images that you have in here? Well, the idea behind the book really is to show the humanity of the people who are involved. Right? We all know or should know. I hope the stamp back to the Boston Tea Party and the facts and the figures. But the people, the people behind it was what we were aiming to get at. And I think Chris does a remarkable job of making individuals relatable. Well, you've, you know, of course we hear about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, etc. But you've got a couple of other people in here that perhaps we haven't heard of. Some of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. I knew maybe 14 of them when I went over the list. Yes. But you've got John Hart of New Jersey in here who had to hide out during this time. A simple farmer but who knew the interest of his country. And was it was a patriot for them? After the signing, you have to remember. They thought they were signing their death warrants. There's a story about one fat delegate and one skinny delegate waiting to go up in line to sign their names. And the fat one joked in a rather gloomy hall and empty and quiet hall. Think about it. That hall had been filled with debate for months. But now it was quiet and the fat one joked to break the silence. At least when they come for us and hang us. I will die quickly and you will hang in the air for an hour. That's what they thought. And afterwards you're right after the signing happened. The Brits chased them. The signers. They were wanted men. They committed treason. And John Hart was among them. And after he took care of his family and made sure they were safe in New Jersey. He was on the land for months, sleeping never in the same place twice. And there's a wonderful image Chris has in the book of him curled up next to a dog. Which he records that he did hiding out from them. And he was one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Yes. What was Harper Collins advice to you on writing a children's book as opposed to one of your more scholarly books? Boy. There were so many wonderful thoughts along the way. David Linker was just absolutely fabulous through this process. He's an expert in children's books. And his advice to us consistently was don't dumb it down too much. Don't be afraid to tell the harrowing stories. And think very carefully about the images that you want Chris to work on. And work with him closely. It will be a better book for it. Those are three things that stick with me from David. Overruled a republic if you can keep it. And this book, the Heroes of 1776, you've had a co-author on all three of these books. Yes. Who is that? Janie. Janie Nitsy is one of the most thank you for the opportunity. Because along with Chris, I mean, this wouldn't have happened. And she really is an inspiration as is Chris for me. So Janie Clarked for me many years ago as many young lawyers do. We have them for one year. We get them from one year. And you only get like four or five clerks, right? We only get four. I mean, think about that. There's branch of government, right? One with the co-equal branches of government. I have four people. And they work for me for one year. Professionals. Then I have some excellent assistants as well. Secretaries and that sort of thing. But four lawyers. That's my law firm. And they're here for one year and one year only. And then off they go. Janie is one of the all-time greats. She clerked for me. She also clerked for Justice Sotomayor early in her career. Went off and did lots of wonderful and great things. And she's now the mother of three young children. She started a preschool. And she was very interested in wanting to come up. Work on a children's book with me about American history. And so here we are. Amy Coney Barrett, Tanji Brown, Jackson, Sotomayor, several children's books. And you and both Justice's Kavanaugh and Alito have books coming out later this year. What should we read into Supreme Court Justice's writing books? Well, you forgot Sandra Day O'Connor, who wrote one of the best children's books about growing up in the West. And that one belongs on that list for sure.